A new family referral service to make it easier access support and information funded by NSW Health will be trialled in the Northern Rivers soon.The Far North Coast Family Referral Service will consist of a free telephone hotline and a face-to-face referral service which will connect vulnerable families in the region with the appropriate local services available to help them.
It is expected the Lismore-based service will be operational by mid-August and information sessions about the new service will be held in Murwillumbah this Thursday, August 2 (at civic centre’s Canvas and Kettle meeting room, 10am) and Alstonville on August 7 (at House With No Steps, 253 Wardell Road, Alstonville at 10am).
Northern Rivers Social Development Council (NRSDC) will work in partnership with Interrelate Family Centres to operate the Far North Coast Family Referral Service (FNCFRS) which will support families living in the region, from Clarence Valley to Tweed Heads. The new service is one of eight being trialled across NSW.
Project manager Trudi Fehrenbach said the service is all about making it easy for families to find support to manage issues before they escalate to a crisis point.
‘Parenting can be hard, and it can be confusing for families to know where to find help when they need it,’ Mrs Fehrenbach said.
‘The service will have a 1300 number families can call, to reach a skilled team who can identify what help they need and link them up with a support service that’s right for them. We will follow up with families, either over the phone or face-to-face, to make sure they are getting the help they need.’
For more information, call Mrs Fehrenbach on 0417 119 298 or email [email protected].
