Family Resource Centres Get Funding Boost
NOTE: A list of the 26 family resource centres follows this release.
Parents and children will have better support and service in their communities because of government's increased investment in family resource centres.
Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard announced today, April 23, the province will increase funding to the centres by $2 million.
"Government made a commitment to provide better support for parents and children across the province," said Ms. Bernard. "This increased investment is long overdue and is really about acknowledging the many hard-working professionals and volunteers who play a key role in building stronger communities and healthier families."
Money will be spread equally among the 26 family resource centres, giving each a $75,000 annual increase. The remaining $50,000 will provide training and increase capacity.
"An additional $75,000 in funding for our centre will make a big difference," said Roxanne Manning, executive director of the Dartmouth Family Centre. "This new money will considerably enhance our ability to offer quality supports and programs for families in our community."
Family resource centres offer programming for parents, children, and families, such as pre- and post-natal support, child development and parenting programs. Generally the centres offer services to families with children to age 6.
"I like that the centre provides child care and the playroom is great with lots of age-appropriate activities and toys," said Dartmouth resident and mother Amanda Purvis. "The staff is amazing, and my kids really love being there, plus the centre helps out with bus tickets and other services that I have come to depend on." This is the first significant funding increase for the centres in a decade. The new funding will help staff meet the increasing range of issues facing families today, such as cyberbullying.
"As a mother, I understand that raising a child can feel overwhelming at times, and every parent can use a little extra help," said Ms. Bernard. "Walking into one of these centres, you can see that the many dedicated people who work there genuinely care about the children and parents that come in and this government is proud to support their great work."
Following is a list of family resource centres in Nova Scotia:
- Bayers Westwood Family Support Centre, Halifax
- Cape Breton Family Place Resource Centre, Sydney
- Dartmouth Family Resource Centre, Dartmouth
- Family Resource Centre of Digby County, Digby
- East Hants Family Resource Centre, East Hants
- East Preston Family Resource Centre, East Preston
- Eastern Shore Family Resource Association, Porters Lake
- Fairview United Family Resource Centre, Halifax
- Family Matters – Annapolis County Family Resource Centre, Lawrencetown
- Family Resource Centre of West Hants, Windsor Forks
- Kids Action Program, Canning
- Kids First Association, New Glasgow
- Kings County Family Resource Centre, Kentville
- Le Centre Provincial de Ressources Prescolaires
- Maggie's Place Cumberland Family Resource Centre, Truro
- Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Centre, Halifax
- Mulgrave Park Caring and Learning Centre, Halifax
- Musquodoboit Valley Family Resource Centre, Middle Musquodoboit
- Native Council of Nova Scotia, Truro
- New Ross Family Resource Centre, New Ross
- North End Parent Resource Centre, Halifax
- Parents and Children Together, Cole Harbour
- Parents Place Yarmouth Family Resource Centre, Yarmouth
- Sackville Family Day Care Association, Sackville
- Single Parent Centre (Home of the Guardian Angels), Halifax
- South Shore Family Resource Association, Bridgewater