The federal government has reversed cuts to a vital and unique ACT program that supports parents and their children through alcohol and drug rehabilitation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Karralika, one of the ACT's largest residential rehabilitation providers, was told late last year that it had failed to secure funding for its long-running family program in the latest round of federal grants.
The family program supports adults and their children up to the age of 12 during residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation for up to 12 months.
It is designed to keep families together and includes early childhood development programs, daycare, or after-school and holiday programs.
A social worker and team of family case workers also provide counselling and support to the family, and the program employs interventions tailored to the family unit.
Karralika faced the prospect of losing the program – the only of its kind in the ACT or southern NSW region – after it failed to secure federal funding in the Department of Social Services "New Way of Working for Grants scheme".
The decision had shocked the organisation, and chief executive officer Camilla Rowland said in January she feared it would result in homelessness and foster care for clients.
At that time, seven families were on the waiting list while eight families, including nine adults, 14 children and a pregnant mother, were already in the program.
But on Wednesday ACT senator Zed Seselja announced he had helped to convince colleague Social Services Minister Scott Morrison to provide $500,000 funding.
The money is for a two-year period to June 30, 2017.
Mr Seselja said he had made "strong representations" to Mr Morrison on the issue since the minister took over the social services portfolio.
"This is good news for Canberrans, particularly for vulnerable families who are battling alcohol or drug issues," Senator Seselja said on Wednesday.
"These challenges can affect not just families directly affected but also our wider community. That's why the work that Karralika does is especially important."
Senator Seselja said the minister had conducted a "gap analysis" following the department's grant approval decisions.
It was under this process that the decision was made to reverse the funding decision.
"I am proud to have assisted in providing certainty for Karralika's rehabilitation services," he said.
