Community Connect

ISSUE 6 • MARCH 2009

E-news from Family and Community Services

Welcome to the sixth edition of Family and Community Services' e-newsletter. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to tell us your stories, please email us on enews@facs.govt.nz.

» Download Community Connect Issue 6 - PDF - 120kb

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Issue Six - March 2009:

Te Anau Heartlands has immigration success

PAFT makes a difference

MSD computers put to good use in Cook Islands

Results Based Accountability reaps rewards in Hawkes Bay

Fund supports innovative positive parenting

Franklin Family Support opening a new office

Community Link Approach Builds on Heartland Services

Community Action Fund Round Four now open

Planning for success

Twenty parent volunteers offer to become teen parent mentors

Tough guys promote love and respect

Whānau Christmas event celebrates family

DVD provides voice for teens

Not-for- profit annual pay survey helps set pay expectations

What's happening in the community

Community Link Approach Builds on Heartland Services

Helping people access the services they need is the focus of two initiatives offered by the Ministry of Social Development – Heartlands Services and Community Link.

Heartland Service Centres provides one-stop access to government and community services for people living in smaller centres. More than 20 government agencies and 50 community organisations participate in our 35 Heartland Centres. More than 98,000 people visited our Heartlands Centres in 2008.

For participating organisations, Heartlands is a cost-effective opportunity to extend their reach – they can meet clients and promote their services in smaller communities without having to establish a permanent presence.

Heartland Service Centres are established in consultation with the local community. The choice of participating agencies is based on local service delivery needs, which is designed to foster a sense of community ownership for agencies and local people. Heartlands also strengthens community networks and promotes discussion between local social service providers through regular meetings for participating agencies, as well as service expos, fora and hui.

Another initiative that helps people access a range of social services at one location is Community Link.  This is the Ministry of Social Development's new approach to delivering services to people by partnering with other government agencies and non-government organisations to provide services at Work and Income sites.  

One benefit is that people don't need to visit different locations to receive services and only need to tell their story once – especially when some needs are closely linked, for example income, housing, health and employment.

Having agencies under one roof also has wider benefits for the community.  Huntly Community Link, which opened in December 2008, recently collaborated around recognising Healthy Heart Day 13 February 2009.   Sport Waikato ran a public information workshop on cardiovascular and aerobic heart awareness and activities, Raukura Hauora O Waikato conducted free public health checks, Nga Miro Health Limited promoted smoking cessation support and products and healthy nutrition advice, and Waikato Enterprise Agency donated free watermelons and rockmelons for the public, visitors and partners to enjoy on the day.

Currently there are five Community Links open in Linwood (Christchurch), Ashburton, Naenae (Wellington), Flaxmere (Hawkes Bay) and Huntly.   Further Links are scheduled to open in Glen Innes (Auckland), Kamo and Rotorua later in 2009.

» For more information please go to www.msd.govt.nz.
» For more information on Heartlands Services.