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

Planning for success

Horowhenua is the latest district to use Local Services Mapping (LSM), a community-based planning process, to identify ways to improve the effectiveness of social services in its communities.

The Horowhenua District Community Report, which was published in early March, sets out three desired social outcomes for the community: a connected social services sector, older people aging with dignity, and young people making positive choices.

The ink is barely dry on the report and the community is already seeing results: A Social Wellbeing Advisory Group has been formed to address the first two desired outcomes, and a 'youth voice' event – youth-focussed activities organised by local young people – will be held in late March.

LSM is an example of communities helping themselves. LSM is carried out in partnership with local district councils, with an expectation that it will also feed into the social wellbeing component of each district's Long Term Council Community Plan.

Currently, 46 districts throughout New Zealand are engaged in the LSM process with 30 reports already completed.

LSM is facilitated by the Ministry of Social Development's Family and Community Services.

» For more information, visit Family and Community Services.