New Children's Service for Taree

I have recently been appointed to the position of Coordinator of Service Links project sponsored by Child Care Services, Taree and Districts. This service also sponsors Five Star Family Day Care (Taree and Districts), In-Home Child Care, Hallidays Point After School Care, and Early Intervention - Better futures.

The Service Links project is part of the Australian Governments Stronger Families and Communities Initiative - Communities for Children. Here is the Taree area our vision statment is: "working together and building on strengths to ensure the GTLGA creates child friendly communities that support and value children and their families".

Our part in building stronger Communites for Children involves:
-developing assessment/referral guidelines for children with hearing loss. Concentrating on the screening, assessment,prevenion, raising community awareness and educationof Otitis Media and its effects on young children.
- supporting the Kids Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Program to be introduce into Early Childhood Service by NSW Health and coordinate Family Fun Days with Healthy Life-style events being the focus.
- establishing a referral pathway for early intervention networds for families with children with additional needs.

I am really excited about the possibilities that this project brings to our local families and services. Having worked in Early Childhood for the last 15 years in this community I'm well aware of the gaps in services - often FRUSTRATING for parents and workers alike and look forward to addressing some of these issues through this project.

I have already made contact with some Early Childhood services and I have been heartened by the interest and enthusiasm for the project.

I will be working on this Project four days a week - Monday - Thursday. and will keep you up-to-date with our exciting program events. If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Sue Russell
5 Hughes Street (PO Box 270) TAREE NSW 2430 Ph: 02 6552 5088 Fax: 02 6551 0399