Lower Mountains Family Support Service An Overview of the service – Purpose Practices People Partners 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS1

Our Purpose LMFSS is a non-profit welfare service founded in 1990 and supported by Blaxland Uniting Church/Uniting Care The service employs trained workers who provide counselling, support, groups, information, advocacy and practical assistance to families The service is managed by a Management Committee and is a member of Family Services NSW. 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS2

Our Vision Lower Mountains Family Support Service is committed to strengthening families and building community. Our Mission…. inspired by the example of Jesus, is to respond to the needs of children, families and communities with caring and compassion. 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS3

In the beginning... Community Survey Generalist Family Support Model Seeding Grant (reducible over 3 years)- Wesley Dalmar- $30000 approx 1 full time worker Office in church building 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS4

The service today Evidence based Family support model incorporating: prevention, early intervention and community capacity building projects 95% of funding from Government sources I full time manager, 11 part time workers 4 Offices, counselling & interview rooms, large food storage area- building refurbished and extended twice on church grounds 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS5

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Our Practice 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS7 Family Work Parent Groups Emergency Relief Services

Our Shared Philosophy Underpinning our organisation and our work is a commitment to Strengths Based Practice Our Values Respect for all family members which includes respecting confidentiality and a non-judgemental approach Respect for peoples of different abilities, culture, language, gender, sexual preference, religion and perceived social or financial situation Professional standards of service delivery Attention to the safety and well being of family members and staff A focus on collaborative partnerships- within our organisation, with families & other agencies A responsive and flexible approach to family needs 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS8

Helping Other Possibilities Emerge 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS9

support families to raise happy, healthy children in a safe and nurturing environment 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS10 Each program works to …

9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS11 Early Intervention Family Work- Penrith-Woodford Generalist Family Support Work Brighter Futures case Management/ Home Visiting Parent Groups- Blaxland- Blackheath Supported Playgroups- Multi Cultural /Community Hubs- Penrith & Winmalee/Blaxland PS/Young Parents/Koori It Takes a Village.. ” Penrith & BM LGAs Emergency Food & Financial Relief Programs Our Programs

Our People 12 staff working on 8 different projects over 240 hours per week  Manager  Admin Worker  Client Liaison worker  6 family Workers  2 parent group workers  Project worker- early childhood services; Mobile Hub Coordinator (The equivalent of 6.9 EFT) 7 Office volunteers-38 hpw 1 Volunteer Food Drive Coordinator Lots (over 35) of volunteers who support various projects in various ways 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS12

Our clients Emergency Relief- Food- over 345 people including 219 children Financial- 70 Families-218 children Family Work- Home visiting -87 families & 140+ children Parent groups- 203 parents Supported Playgroups 62 parents-90 children 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS13

Issues that brought people to our service 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS14

Our Partners Volunteer Support Management Committee Emergency Relief- Food Drives Office work Assisting with Childcare Family week celebrations Financial Support Anything else we think of along the way! 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS15

Community Partners Local schools/ pre schools/family day care Community Health Rotary Lions Club Zonta Local churches Neighbourhood Centres Local Businesses 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS16

Project Partners Wesley Mission Connect Child & Family Services Blue Mountains City Council Mountains Outreach Community Services Blue Mountains Family Support Service Gunedoo Child Protection Service SPYNS Inc 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS17

Government Funding- Families NSW Community Services Grants Program Brighter Futures Community Investment Program Family Support Program Blue Mountains City Council Church & Community Investment ‘Friends of Family Support’ Blaxland Uniting Church Local churches, individuals and service groups 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS18 Funding Partnerships..

Food Relief- Christmas Hampers 9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS19

9/09/2015Lower Mountains FSS20 Winmalee Community Hub

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