Community Services Minister Joy Burch promised more money for vulnerable families. Photo: Supplied
Services for vulnerable families will receive a $7.4 million boost over four years if ACT Labor is re-elected next month.
And $2.2 million of the funds will be used to establish a trauma recovery centre for young people, the party announced yesterday.
Community Services Minister Joy Burch said the trauma centre would provide early intervention services for young Canberrans exhibiting complex behaviours.
Ms Burch also pledged $1.4 million to expand the Parents as Teachers program, which assists parents during the early years of their children's lives.
''The commitments announced today build on the considerable investment that the ACT Labor government has made to increase support for vulnerable families,'' Ms Burch said.
''These additional services are about early intervention for children and young people who are at risk of becoming involved in the care of protection system or the youth justice system.''
The government will spend a further $1.2 million over four years to expand therapeutic intervention services for young people and $2.5 million to increase the number of youth engagement workers across the ACT.
''By providing intensive support at an early age, not just for the children but also their parents, we expect we will see improved results in these children's lives,'' Ms Burch said.
''We will see improvements in their education, employment and social outcomes by tackling the causes of their complex behavioural issues as early as possible.'' Lisa Cox
