The Bligh Government has committed more than $4.1 million over three years to provide safe places to live for abused and neglected children and young people in the FNQ area.
State Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said Child Safety Minister Phil Reeves had confirmed two organisations, Life Without Barriers and Mission Australia, would use the funds to provide safe places to live for up to 21 children and young people with complex to extreme needs.
“Young people in care may have suffered severe abuse and neglect, leaving with significant emotional scars and behavioural issues,” Ms Boyle said.
“Some also have complex support needs, such as medical issues, disabilities, or challenging and sometimes violent behaviour.
“The care and support they receive helps them people begin to rebuild their lives, and possibly even return home to their own families if it’s safe.”
Life Without Barriers will use its grant to recruit, train and support specialist foster carers to provide safe and loving homes for 13 children.
The organisation will also provide therapeutic support for the children and young people and help them to access any psychiatric counselling or specialist medical attention they may need.
Mission Australia will run two group houses where a total of up to eight older children and teenagers can live with around-the-clock care and supervision from youth workers.
The houses are in Cairns and primarily provide a safe place to live for Indigenous young people from West Cape York communities.
Mr Reeves said it was a sad fact that as at 31 December 2008, about 680 children and young people in Far North Queensland could not live safely at home because one or both of their parents abused or neglected them.
“Protecting our children is an enormous responsibility. That’s why we are investing another record amount of $638 million in child protection in the 2009-10 State Budget,” he said.
“Despite the global financial crisis, the Bligh Government is committed to maintaining our essential child protection services.”
Mr Reeves said the funds would also help create and sustain 13 full-time-equivalent jobs.
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