Funding that enables a sole worker in the Hunter to liaise with grandparent support groups will still finish at the end of June, the worker says.
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Yesterday, the Mercury reported that funding for this key worker, Karen Lizasoain from the Samaritans, was to cease at the end of the financial year.
Ms Lizasoain is the sole liaison for groups that support grandparents in the Hunter who are raising their grandchildren.
“The government is investing over $110 million into Children and Parenting Support programs nationwide,” Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement.
“Last year the government undertook a competitive tender for organisations seeking funding under an $800 million Department of Social Services grants round to support a broad range of vital front line services that support communities.
“My first priority is ensuring there are no gaps in critical frontline services, while we work through the transition of services to the new funding arrangements.
“My department is working with new and existing providers to ensure that clients are referred to new services where required, and also to identify any critical service gaps.”
Funding for Ms Lizasoain was to end in April but Mr Morrison said the government had announced money to bridge the gap between April and the beginning of the financial year when the new system was expected to begin.
“I am advised by my Department that Samaritans Foundation Diocese of Newcastle have accepted bridging funding to the end of June,” he said.
But Ms Lizasoain, who works with 11 grandparent support groups in Maitland and the Hunter, believed there would be no funding after the June cut-off date.
“We do have funding until the end of June, but then we are finished,” she said.
Ms Lizasoain fears more than 65 children being raised by their grandparents in the Maitland area will face health issues and hardship when that funding ceases.