Challenging times for Family Service Centre

November 22nd, 2012

Changes to the Ministry of Social Development's contracts have meant the Motueka Family Service Centre aims to work in collaborative partnership with other major providers to maintain levels of service.

Tuesday's annual general meeting of the Motueka and Districts Preschool and Whanau Trust, which operates as the Family Service Centre, heard that the Ministry's move to multi-year, multi-agency contracts will, in the future, necessitate the creation of joined-up providers funded under fewer agreements.

"Therefore, to ensure the same measurable results continue to be delivered, the Family Service Centre is seeking to work in collaborative partnership with other major service providers in the district," said the Trust's chairman Peter Norman.

He said the 2 year was a challenging period for many not-for-profit organisations, with changes to government funding criteria and increasing cost pressures adding further to the complexities of operating in the Community Service sector.

"In spite of this difficult environment, the Motueka Family Service Centre continues to provide high quality, culturally appropriate, strength-based, integrated services for the children and families of our community who are in need of support.

The year began in July 2011 with a compliment of six trustees representing Te Awhina Marae, Tasman District Council, the Principals’ Association, Early Childhood Education and a local church.

Five new trustees were appointed over the course of the year, so the board now offers strong governance and strategic direction.

"This, along with the appointment of new staff to key positions, will further strengthen the centre's performance and ensure that the best outcomes for families, whanau and community are achieved."

The Motu Weka Neighbourhood Centre, which shares the building off Talbot Street with Family Service Centre, is progressing with its plans to move to a separate location. Concept plans have been developed to enable Family Service Centre make best use of the much needed additional space.

One big success story for the centre has been with its Budget Advice service, which has grown significantly over the last three years. Alongside the MSD contract funding for 55 clients, funds have been granted from the Community Response Fund for an additional 60 clients.

The total number of budget advice clients for the 2011-12 year was 158. "While we have managed to meet this demand we are concerned about the level of contract funding available on an ongoing basis, as the Community Response Fund will not be in place in the future," said service co-ordinator Sjors Brouwer.

The processes established nationally for Work and Income clients requiring them to undertake budgeting activities has placed a significant demand on the service in Motueka.

"We continue to attempt to work in partnership with Work and Income for the benefit of clients, to provide services that are effective within the resources available," Sjors said.

"We have implemented a regular budgeting seminar at Community Link, predominantly for Work and Income clients. Further welfare reforms to be implemented over the coming 12 months will also have an impact on our service."

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