18 September 2003 Media Statement

More funding for community organisations working with children, young people and families.

More than 900 community service organisations will receive funding totalling nearly $90 million in this financial year to provide services for children, young people and families, Child, Youth and Family Minister Ruth Dyson said today.

Ms Dyson said that the Budget had included an extra $25.6 million over the next four years for community social services working with children, young people and families. Of this money, around $6 million was earmarked in 2003/2004 for new initiatives around the country.

“After consulting with local communities, we have identified youth at risk, specialised counselling services, care services, family well-being services and family violence as priority areas for the government. Planning and funding decisions for the 2003/2004 allocations are based on these priorities.”

Ruth Dyson said the government had also been working to reduce compliance requirements and costs for community providers.

“Contracts and grants running over more than one year mean organisations can devote more of their resources to getting results. The government can provide leadership and strong public services, but the best way to build strong communities is to work in partnership with community organisations.”

Attached: CYF community funding for new initiatives 2003/2004.

Local MPs will release details of local increases in CYF community funding.

CYF Community Funding for New Initiatives for 2003/04 year
Initiative 2003/04 Funding
(GST incl) Funding over Four years
(GST incl)
Reducing Inequalities – Continuation of the three year programme introduced in 2000 to deliver programmes aimed at reducing family violence in Maori and Pacific peoples communities.
Added to this new Initiative fund will be a carried forward amount of $0.617m (included in Baseline Community Funding totals), and the whole amount of $2.709m is split between regions: Tai Tokorau area approx $1m,
Auckland area approx $0.3m,
Early Childhood All regions approx $1.4m $2.092 m $10.219 m
Increasing Community Flexibility - Additional funds for services identified as needed to address local needs through Local Services Mapping1, consultation and partnership between communities and government agencies.
This fund will be allocated to all regions nationally $2.500 m $6.000 m
Te Rito Phase Two - To improve funding for community-based collaborative initiatives to prevent family violence as part of the Government’s commitment to implementing the Family Violence Prevention Strategy, Te Rito.
This fund has not yet been allocated to a region $0.500 m $5.410 m
Youth Suicide - To extend the number of high risk young people with a management plan, monitoring and support covered by the Towards Wellbeing youth suicide programme by over 60%, to 320.
This fund will be allocated to all regions nationally $0.555 m $2.220 m
Youth Suicide Prevention – Youthline - Funding to contribute to Youthline providing a 24 hour, seven day crisis phone service to better meet the needs of young callers, some of whom may be at risk of suicide.
A national service, where the provider is based in Auckland $0.090 m $0.360 m
Increasing Funding to Community Bednight Providers -
To enable the department to cover CPI increase for children referred to community organisations providing care services and maintain the same level, range and quality of services.
This fund will be allocated to all regions nationally $0.177 m $1.384 m
Total $5.914 m $25.593 m

1Local Services Mapping is a collaborative planning process with communities to ensure social services meeting local communities’ needs. The project targets care and protection and youth justice needs of children, young people and their families.

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