Funding for projects that help strengthen communities

Schools, businesses and community groups are encouraged to apply for funding for initiatives that support early intervention for children and young people at risk, ACT Minister for Community Services Joy Burch said today.

Ms Burch said the Schools as Communities grants allowed families, schools and the community to come together to work towards solutions for possible problems involving children or young people.

"The Schools as Communities grants offer up to $5,000 per applicant to devise programs that focus on identifying possible challenges and preventing them from worsening," Ms Burch said.

"Applications are being sought for projects where families, schools, communities, local businesses and government work together in partnership, to benefit children, young people and their families."

The grants, totalling $50,000, are open to schools, preschools, community/health service agencies, early childhood services, church groups and local businesses.

Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that can address issues impacting on children and young people and their families; promote prevention and early intervention; enhance preschools and schools as sites for community strengthening and provide an opportunity for professional development.

"We also want to see evidence that the projects can be sustained without ongoing funding from the ACT Government.

"It is an important that these projects are designed to build capacity within communities to respond to issues which families and their communities face over the long term."

For more information visit http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ or call 6207 8228. Applications close 30 April.