13 New Services to Support Aboriginal Fathers

View by date:

• May
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

• 2013
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

PDF printable version of 13 New Services to Support Aboriginal Fathers (PDF 23 KB)

16 May 2011

Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon today announced stronger and prouder involvement in parenting will be promoted among Aboriginal men at 13 organisations in a new Australian Government initiative.

“The $7.4 million in Strong Fathers Strong Families projects announced today for New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory will enable the rollout of antenatal programs that will engage Aboriginal males and help them prepare for fatherhood.

“Fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other significant male relatives are crucial in the lives of their children. A solid connection to family and culture gives children a great advantage in their early developmental years.

“The projects being funded will further strengthen parenting partnerships and help fathers get involved with their wives and partners during pregnancy, and with their children during the early developmental years,” Mr Snowdon said.

The program will give men culturally-appropriate information about fatherhood and grandfatherhood—to strengthen their role in nurturing the development of children and providing, in return, a motivating factor for their own self care.

“The new program will promote positive, healthy, active fatherhood and grandfatherhood and involve men in the early development of children in local community and group activities,” he said.

“The men of communities right across Australia can take a prouder and stronger involvement in the lives of their children with this assistance—and it’s vital for their children’s health and wellbeing that they do,” Mr Snowdon said.

The projects will also provide men referral and support to attend local parenting, health and related services, such as reproductive health, family wellbeing, counselling and peer support groups, as needed.

The Strong Fathers, Strong Families initiative is part of the nation’s first male health policy and it is succeeding in strengthening the knowledge, skills and confidence of Aboriginal men as role models for the children in their communities.

This initiative will complement existing Australian Government programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies across Australia.

The successful organisations are:

South Australia

• Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA;
• Pangula Mannamurna Inc;
• Tullawon Health Service Inc;
• Watto Purranna – Adelaide Health Service.

• North West Slopes Division of General Practice;
• Southern General Practice Network;
• Sydney South West Area Health Service;
• Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health Network (formerly Sydney West Area Health Service).

• Danila Dilba Biluru Butji Binnilutlum Health Service Aboriginal Corporation;
• Laynhapuy Homelands Health;
• Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation.

• Darling Downs Shared Care Incorporated T/A Carbal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services;
• Royal Flying Doctor Service—Queensland.