NEWS and EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
TRAVELLING TEA PARTY
Background on the Communities for Children program and future possibili-TEAs
In November 2025, the Federal Government announced a new approach to programs for families and children with proposed changes that seek to maximise outcomes for children, young people, and families and support providers to deliver flexible and responsive services.
These proposed changes will bring 5 programs under a new, single national program to support children and families. Communities for Children is one of the programs along with Child and Parenting Support, Family Mental Health Support Services, Family and Relationship Services and Specialised Family Violence Services which will be affected. This approach aims to achieve efficient and effective delivery of services by making funding arrangements easier, streamlining administration requirements, and focusing on meaningful outcomes-based reporting so providers can spend more time delivering services to families.
We as the current Facilitating Partner for Communities for Children South East Tasmania (Derwent Valley, Brighton, Central Highlands and Southern Midlands) see this as a wonderful opportunity and align with the outcomes for this new amalgamated program/approach for families:
- Parents and caregivers are empowered to raise healthy, resilient children
- Children are supported to grow into healthy, resilient adults.
The Communities for Children initiative has been running for 20 years and The Salvation Army has proudly held the contract for the Facilitating Partner in South East Tasmania since the beginning. This contract and the national program will cease as at 31st January 2027. We have seen some amazing outcomes throughout this time and strongly believe The Salvation Army is well placed to continue to support services and children and families in a new model.
Our role as Facilitating Partner is enhanced with the strong, trusted relationships built throughout this 20 year tenure and delivery of high quality programs by local and trusted organisations such as Kids and Teens in the Valley, Playgroup Tasmania and Family Planning who are our current Community Partners for the Derwent Valley region.
The Federal Government has informed that the new tenders are envisaged to be out in February with a 6 week turnaround for submission and successful organisations announced August 2026. With this in mind, we are actively seeking out input from key stakeholders such as yourselves. Our intention is to share back the collective information we gather from key stakeholders, which will also inform our tender submission.
For further information about this new approach and opportunity, see https://www.dss.gov.au/news/new-approach-programs-families-and-children
A new approach to programs for families and children – engage.dss.gov.au
For further information please contact us
LISTEN LOUDER
Listen Louder is an arts-based Children's Voice Program hosted in the Derwent Valley, Southern Midlands and Central Highlands, with contributions from Brighton.
The purpose of Listen Louder is to support local children, aged 8-12 yrs, to capture the things that are important to them via film and photography. The Children's’ artwork and messages, will form part of a public art exhibition that will travel communities in early 2026, spreading hope, possibility and amplifying children’s voices.
Listen Louder is supported by the CfC SE Tas team, facilitated by Community Artists David Adams and Evi Van der Niet, alongside Sarah from Kids and Teens in the Valley, Mary-Ann from the Oatlands Community Hub, Westerway Primary School, Central Highlands Council and Connected Beginnings, Little Committee, Brighton.
Keep any eye on the CfC SE Tas Facebook page for updates on upcoming exhibition dates, or reach out to CfC SE Tas Community Engagement Lead, Katrina for more information katrina.higgins@salvationarmy.org.au
Members of Listen Louder, Derwent Valley, at New Norfolk Market - making black and white portraits of local children in the pop-up studio ( CfC activity van)
You are warmly invited to the Listen Louder Derwent Valley exhibition opening,
Saturday 21 February 1pm@ Ladies Cottage in New Norfolk
5 The Avenue, New Norfolk TAS
Come and celebrate with the Derwent Valley Listen Louder Crew, Sophie, Poppy, Audrey, Francesca, Felix, Ava & Rose, as they share their stories.
See large-scale portraits of children made by the Listen Louder crew in their Pop Up Studio, and watch short films created by the crew, alongside their families and local community partner Kids and Teens in the Valley. Children and young people have so much to bring, if we are willing to Listen Louder we will grow stronger together!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Saturday 21 February 1pm-5pm
Sunday 22 February 12pm-4pm
Monday 23 February 11am-3pm
Listen Louder is a collaboration between The Salvation Army, Communities for Children South East Tasmania and community artists David Adams and Evi van der Niet.
For more information please email
katrina.higgins@salvationarmy.org.au
CfC Mobile Activity Van Launch
They have done a brilliant job and we were so impressed with all the entries received.
Derwent Valley Mayor, Michelle Dracoulis, presented awards and vouchers to the talented young designers, as they were applauded and celebrated by family, friends and local service providers.
CfC Would like to thank Perpetual Trustees, Alan Shaw Endowment, for making this project possible and the talented young artists who have helped to make the van look AMAZING!
