Collaborative Approach to Improving Outcomes for Children and Enhancing the Quality of Government Services to Families: The Strengthening Families Strategy (From Reducing Criminality--Partnerships and Best Practices, P 1-8, 2000, Adam Graycar, ed. -- See NCJ-186333)

• NCJ Number: 186337
• Author(s): Margaret Bazley
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper describes the Strengthening Families strategy to improve outcomes for children and enhance the quality of government services to families.

Abstract

The intersectoral collaborative initiative known locally as Strengthening Families is a major initiative in New Zealand. The paper describes the strategy, the policy rationale on which it is based, the local collaboration initiative, preventive initiatives in priority regions, current programs, new developments, and management structures. The Strengthening Families approach works by creating collectively managed strategic linkages at the policy level; coordination at the delivery level; and joint arrangements at budget funding, purchasing, and reporting levels. The strength of this intersectoral structure has been recognized. The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs is using Strengthening Families Local Management Groups in 10 locations. The Ministry thus brings a local collaborative approach to its initiatives to build capacity in Pacific peoples communities and reduce disparities between Pacific peoples and the population as a whole.