Child’s play: Flinders MP Greg Hunt, Ray Canobie, Windemere CEO Cheryl DeZilwa, Bryan Sheridan and Casey mayor Neil Lucas are delighted Windemere Child and Family Services was successful in its application for Federal Government funding.WINDEMERE Child and Family Services will receive a $3 million grant to assist Cranbourne children.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the funding would enable the welfare and support service to provide a wide range of programs for children aged five years and under.
“This may include early learning and literacy programs, playgroups, parenting programs, child nutrition and early skills development,” Mr Hunt said.
“They will engage with the local community to develop a Community Strategic Plan, which will outline how the funds will be distributed to groups within the local community who provide services that meet the needs of children aged five years and under.”
Mr Hunt said he was delighted that the grant would increase services to children in Cranbourne specifically.
“Cranbourne is an area that has seen enormous growth, particularly growth in families,” he said.
“The needs of young parents with young children will be assisted with an increase to these services.”
He said Windemere was selected through a competitive process and was deemed best placed to provide services for young children within the local community.
Windemere CEO Cheryl DeZilwa said the funding would enable the coordination of existing services to assist families and children to access assistance as it was needed.
“We want to build on existing community strengths, look at the needs and gaps and identify how we address that.
“We want to work as a facilitator to improve, enhance and develop the services,” she said.
Ms DeZilwa said it was essential to improve the infrastructure in the area for Cranbourne families.
“The infrastructure is not keeping up with the needs of this growing area.
“We hope to get the program up and running in the next few months,” she said.
