Creating positive futures for Tasmanian children

Communities have a key role to play in creating positive futures for all Tasmanian
children, according to Anglicare CEO Chris Jones.

Dr Jones today announced that Anglicare will host a conference in Launceston to
explore ways that communities state-wide can support and nurture children.
“We want to ensure that no child is left behind due to poverty and disadvantage,”
he said. “Throughout childhood, the architecture of the brain is being laid down.
We know a lot about what helps and hurts this growth. A child-friendly community
is able to help provide what’s needed for a healthy start in life”.

Registrations are now open for the conference Child Friendly Communities which
will take place June 4-5 at the Door of Hope, Launceston. Funded by the
Australian Government Department of Social Services, the conference is free for
anyone who works with children and families.

The first State of Launceston’s Children Report will also be launched in June. This
will set out a number of benchmarks in areas of wellbeing such as education,
health and safety, so that changes can be measured over time. “The Launceston
City Council has expressed a long-term commitment to supporting children to
reach their full potential,” said Dr Jones.

“By focusing on the needs of young people, communities can provide a strong
foundation of support for growing children,” said Dr Jones. “If Tasmania is to
prosper in the future, we need to make sure that all children are given the
opportunity to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally”.

Anglicare has called on the State Government to allocate $10 million in the 2014-
2015 Tasmanian Budget as a first step in implementing a range of measures to
improve the welfare of children and young people. This includes an overhaul of
the child protection system.

There has been a steady increase in the number of children in the state’s out-ofhome
care system over the last ten years. Current government predictions are
that this number will continue to rise by up to 9% a year. “Children and young
people must be the Government’s number one budget priority,” said Dr Jones.

“Allocating the necessary resources to promote their health and wellbeing is a
sensible budget measure. The decisions we make now shape the Tasmania of
tomorrow”.

For further information about the June conference contact Anglicare on 1800 243 232 or register on-line at http://www.anglicaretas.org.au/News/ListItem/2014/04/10/cfc
Bronwen Hayes, Anglicare