Why Families First ?

Families First was introduced in NSW in 1998 based on international research showing that the way we support families in the early years of their children's lives will have a lasting influence.

Research has shown that a support network of prevention and early intervention programs can benefit children and families by:

• Improving the health of mothers and babies;
• Helping children to start school better equipped to learn;
• Building communities that work to support families;
• Reducing the conditions that lead to child abuse, crime and drug use.

Government departments and community organisations are reaching out to support families by working with GPs to:

• Plan and work together so families get the support they need when they need it;
• Developing services that respond to the needs of local families;
• Building services that are evidence based and get the best results for families.

A network of support for families, Families First links early intervention and prevention services and other community programs into a network that supports families to raise healthy children and prevent problems before they develop. The network includes a wide range of services such as health services, general practitioners, childcare services, therapists, playgroups, schools, preschools, volunteer services and community organisations.

Marrickville Interagency have collated the Marrickville Children and Family Services Directory and the 2003 Service Information Wall Chart.

Other resources include:
Services for families for children 0 - 12 year Term 4
In and Around Glebe Service Directory
In and Around Glebe Services Contacts
Inner West Service Directory Feb -2004
Parenting Calendar 2
Parenting Services Directory