Page 1046 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 24 March 2015
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MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, what research underpins the CCCares model? How has this research been used to help students locally, nationally and internationally?
MS BURCH: I thank Dr Bourke for his interest in CCCares. The program was developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of Canberra, a fine institute that we have here. Through this partnership, a model to address the critical factors to supporting pregnant and parenting young people was developed. Those critical factors include: place and space; community partnerships; flexible delivery; resourcing; on-site child care; staff development; policy review, including leadership and evaluation; and program sustainability.
In 2009 CCCares won a $750,000 schools first grant. This grant, sponsored by the National Australia Bank, rewards schools for unique and beneficial programs. These funds were largely used to support the founding of the Australian Young, Pregnant and Parenting Network, allowing the success of CCCares to be made available nationally.
This network, with over 80 member organisations and service providers across Australia and New Zealand, was established to support pregnant and parenting young people to create the best possible start for themselves and their children. There has been positive national media on many occasions reporting the outcomes of CCCares. It has been subject to a deal of educational research through an ongoing partnership with the University of Canberra.
This partnership between the ACT Education and Training Directorate and the University of Canberra has been extended to support the University of Toronto in developing CCCares-style programs in Canada. The research undertaken in the development and refinement of the CCCares program has been used by education departments across Australia and internationally to inform their responses to the needs of pregnant and parenting students. It is a great program and I encourage all to get behind this and to recognise the benefits to young parents’ lives.
Mr Barr: Madam Speaker, I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answer to question without notice
Housing—homelessness
MS BERRY: I have some information in response to a question asked by Ms Lawder and Mr Wall. The ACT government has maintained the same level of funding to FirstPoint. There has been no reduction in funding. Decisions around staffing structures are made by Connections ACT, which is the organisation that manages FirstPoint. Connections ACT recommended to Housing ACT that the service be closed between 12.30 and 1.30 each day to assist with quality improvement. This has allowed staff who are dealing with increased workloads to attend to administrative duties and to have a lunch break. Housing ACT agreed that the service be closed
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