Labor Government Helping Families Stay Together
The Andrews Labor Government has saved a vital program that keeps parents together with their children.
Funding for the Family-led Decision Making program was due to lapse under the previous Liberal Government.
Visiting Melbourne’s Family Drug Treatment Court today, the Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos, said Family-led Decision Making was a key part of empowering vulnerable families to stick together.
Under the program, families are helped to address concerns through developing a plan and drawing on the support of extended family and the community.
The program has a track record of keeping children and young people with their parents and out of the out-of-home care system, when it is in the best interest of the child.
The Government’s $9.2 million commitment is part of a $31.75 million package to keep families together and reunite children with their parents from out-of-home care.
The 2015-16 Victorian Budget significantly increased investment in family and children’s services, including for more than 110 new frontline child protection practitioners and better support for foster and kinship carers.
Quotes attributed to the Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos
“Our objective is keeping children and young people together with their families where that is in children’s best interests.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is fully committed to its important reform agenda to ensure safe and stable homes for children and young people in care.”
“Victoria is leading the way, but we have more to do and won’t be taking a backward step in improving the lives of vulnerable families and young people in care.”