- For immediate release -
Wed, 17th May, 2006
Launch of Families ACT Inc. –
A New Voice for Family Support in the ACT
Families ACT Incorporated (Fact Inc) was launched
today by Sandra Lambert, CEO of the Department Disability, Housing
and Community Services, providing a new voice for family support
in the ACT.
FACT Inc. evolved from the Family Support and
Parenting Network (FSPN), previously the largest network of organisations
working in family support in the ACT and region. The new body has
been formed to represent the interests of families and the range
of services which support families and individuals in the ACT and
surrounding region.
In addition to providing information, support
and advocacy for members, FACT Inc. will provide a strong proactive
voice to government on local and regional issues which impact on
families. This will include advocating for resources to ensure
the long-term sustainability of family support services in the ACT
and region and strengthening and developing networks in the sector.
FACT Inc. will encourage and promote best practice
among all family support services and will initiate and undertake
research which contributes to improved knowledge for all providers
of services supporting families.
“The journey to becoming an incorporated
peak body has taken place over several years and has involved co-operation
between numerous family support organisations,” said Sue Sheridan
from ParentLine.
“There has been an identified need
for a unified voice for the family support matters in the sector
for along time and today sees the establishment of a body that fills
the void”, Sue added.
More than 55 people representing thirty organisations
came together to celebrate the launch of FACT Inc. today.
Dawson Ruhl, Chief Executive Officer of Marymead Child and Family
Centre welcomed guest and gave a brief outline of the history behind
FACT Inc., before inviting Sandra Lambert, Chief Executive Officer
of the Department of Disability Housing and Community Services to
officially launch the new body.
Following the launch, Helen Disney, partner in
the well-respected consultancy firm Morgan Disney, spoke on ‘The
Value of an Organised Voice’.
Inaugural FACT Inc. President, Dawson Ruhl, applauded
Helen’s acknowledgement of the value of a unified voice and
added in conclusion, “It bodes very well for the new peak
body with the diversity of family support organisations represented
on the Management Committee – sector support is crucial to
the success of any new peak body.”
The newly elected Management Committee includes
representatives from several key organisations in the family support
sector including the YWCA, Marymead, Belconnen Community Service,
Communities@Work, Woden Community Service, Centacare, Northside
Community Service, Karralika and Barnardos.
CIT students from Karralika prepared and served
a sumptuous afternoon tea for guests to add to the launch celebration.
The Karralika program is an initiative to assist young people/parents
undergoing a drug or alcohol program to acquire work skills to enable
them to find a pathway back into the workforce. The program
is funded by ACT Government under the Stronger Families, Local Answers
initiative.
What: The launch of a family support
services peak body FACT INC.
When: 3pm Wednesday 17th May 2006
Where: The Riley Room, Pilgrim House Conference Centre, 69 Northbourne
Avenue, Canberra City
Who: FACT INC., opened by Sandra
Lambert, CEO of Disability Housing and Community
Services, Special Guest Speaker Helen
Disney
*All Media Welcome*
For details contact Kate Jennings on 0414 454 089 6162
5800 or kate.jennings@marymead.org.au
More about FACT
Purpose and Objectives
Families ACT Inc.
C/- PO Box 4260
Kingston ACT 2604
Ph 6162 5800, Fax 6295 9944
Email: fact@marymead.org.au
Purpose:
The purpose of the Families ACT Inc. (FACT Inc.) is to represent
the interests of families and the range of services
which support families and individuals in the ACT and surrounding
region.
Objectives:
- To provide information, support and advocacy for members
- To provide a strong proactive voice to government on local and
regional issues which impact on families
- To recognise and strengthen the continuum of services that support
families and promote their well-being
- To encourage and promote best practice among all family
support services within the sector
- To advocate for resources to ensure long-term sustainability
of family support services
- To initiate and undertake research which contributes to improved
knowledge
- To strengthen, develop and facilitate networks within the family
support sector
- To engage in activities designed to contribute to the elimination
of poverty and the promotion of well-being of disadvantaged and
vulnerable individuals and families
- To do all such other acts or things as may be conducive to the
attainment of the foregoing objectives.
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