Stronger Families and Communities Strategy

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The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy (SFCS) 2004-2009 is an Australian Government initiative giving families, their children and communities the opportunity to build a better future. On 7 April 2004, the Prime Minister announced the renewal of the Strategy, guided by the latest research and consultation feedback from the National Agenda for Early Childhood. This provides for a greater focus on early childhood initiatives and resources that can be used to achieve better outcomes for children, their families and communities.

There are four streams to the Strategy:

• Communities for Children - $142 million
• Early Childhood - Invest to Grow - $70 million
• Local Answers - $152 million
• Choice and Flexibility in Child Care - $125 million
  

The Volunteer Small Equipment Grants initiative is also funded under the Strategy.

The renewed Strategy has a specific early childhood focus and is aligned with the following four key action areas identified in the National Agenda for Early Childhood:

• Healthy young families
• Early learning and care
• Supporting families and parenting
• Child-friendly communities.

Early Childhood - Invest to Grow Initiative

Early Childhood - Invest to Grow provides funding for early childhood programmes and resources. Its aim is to contribute to improved outcomes for young children through prevention and early intervention and to build the Australian evidence base about what works in prevention and early intervention in early childhood. Non-government organisations have been funded to deliver both established and developing programs under the Invest to Grow initiative.

Invest to Grow also funds development of tools and resource materials for use by families, professionals and communities supporting families and young children. Invest to Grow aims to ensure that Australia continues to be one of the world leaders in best practice in early childhood development. The Raising Children Network is one of several organisations funded to develop tools and resources under the Invest to Grow initiative.