Program could be stopped

A program at Umina, helping school-age mothers complete their education, would stop with a State Government cutback in funding to Gosford Family Support Services, according to Liberal candidate for Gosford, Cr Chris Holstein.

"Funding has been cut by 45 per cent to an organisation that for over 20 years has offered many needed services to the Central Coast," Mr Holstein said.

"This program has been run in conjunction with TAFE to assist these young mums in fulfilling their education or giving training to enhance long term job prospects."

However from the end of June, family workers dealing with those in high need will be cut from seven to three workers (138hrs to 51hrs per week), child minding services will be totally cut, drop-in services in advocacy, counselling and referral, totally cut, family workers home visits cut by over 50 per cent and waiting time for families in crisis to double from 10 to 12 weeks to up to six months.

"The funding cut will see over 300 families in crisis in Gosford City alone left without adequate support," Cr Holstein said.

Mr Holstein said he wanted to know why the Government had treated an organisation and their staff, with over 20 years of impeccable service to those in need in this community, in such a despicable manner.

Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews said Gosford City Family Support Services received more than $411,000 a year in recurrent funding from the NSW Government.

"The service has been receiving this recurrent funding for more than 20 years and there is no plan whatsoever to alter this arrangement," Ms Andrews said.

"In his rather misleading press release, Mr Holstein appears to be referring to the fact that some one-off grants are coming to an end of the grant period.

"These programs have only been running for one year and represent far less than the 45 per cent funding cut claimed by Mr Holstein.

"The service was aware that some of their funding would come to an end when these two programs began a year ago.

"However, if there's merit to continuing a program, it will be considered for further funding.

"It is my understanding that one of these programs, a $23,000 a year program for an Early Intervention Family Worker for young parents, is currently being assessed for possible renewable funding under the Families First program."

Press release, June 3, June 8 Chris Holstein, Liberal candidate for Gosford Marie Andrews, Member for Peats