The NSW Council on the Aged has warned that grandparents caring for their grandchildren in Maitland and the Hunter – and the children they care for – could all be at risk if the federal government ceases to fund a key worker’s position.
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That job entails Karen Lizasoain liaising with 11 grandparent support groups through Samaritans.
But the government plans to axe the annual $100,000 grant in June that enables Ms Lizasoain to do her work.
Council on the Aged CEO Ian Day added his voice to the several grandparents support groups that have called for the funding to continue.
“If the federal government does not fund Samaritans after June, there will be a major gap in services that would be of particular importance to grandparent support groups,” Mr Day said.
“The role of grandparent support groups and the co-ordinator for these groups is critical.”
In a statement to the Mercury, Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said: “The government is investing approximately $180 million into Children and Parenting Support Programs nationwide.
“My first priority is to ensure there are no gaps in critical front-line services while we work through the transition of services to the new funding arrangements.”