Page 169 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 11 February 2015
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transition to this new system to take two to three years, by which time we will begin to see significant evidence of change for children, young people and their families.
“A step up for our kids” will benefit the wider community by supporting vulnerable children and young people to enjoy better life outcomes. A community is only as strong, safe and connected as its members, of course. We want to make sure that the strategy will strengthen outcomes for children at risk of entering care through a number of key initiatives. These include placement prevention services, reunification services, the Karinya House mother and baby unit upgrade, supported contact services, and parent-child interaction programs. Where a child cannot safely return to their family, their out of home care providers will provide a continuum of care in achieving a long-term stable environment and providing appropriate support services for the child.
We are strengthening accountability and transparency to ensure a high functioning care system to deliver these services. This will include setting up an interim children’s and youth services council that will oversee these reforms. The council will be chaired by Ms Bev Orr OAM, one of Australia’s leading foster care advocates.
We have designed a system that provides not only a place to live but a place to grow and recover. “A step up for our kids” will break the intergenerational cycle of disadvantage for the next generation of care leavers, providing them with a foundation for a happy, productive adulthood.
“A step up for our kids” is a five-year strategy, and I look forward to providing the Assembly with updates as key milestones are achieved.
Mr Barr: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answers to questions without notice
Canberra Institute of Technology—Auslan
MS BURCH: In response to the questions on Auslan, I indicated there would be an NDIA statement tomorrow; it is actually next week. I wanted to clear that up. Also, I have additional information on interpreters. We have two accredited and registered professional Auslan interpreters and five paraprofessional Auslan interpreters. Interpreter services that are available in the ACT include the Deaf Society of New South Wales, Auslan Services and the National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service.
Environment—Mugga Lane tip
MR CORBELL: Yesterday in question time Ms Lawder and Mr Wall asked me a number of questions in relation to odours coming from the landfill site at Mugga Lane. I can advise members in response to Ms Lawder’s first question that the Health Directorate is responsible for the government’s ambient air quality monitoring network, which consists of three ambient monitoring stations at Monash, Civic and Florey. The pollutants measured by these monitoring stations are not designed to detect the types of odours coming from the landfill; nevertheless the odours coming
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