Central Regional Plan 2008/2009

What Penny has to say

“Sustaining our past success in keeping people in employment, and education other productive activities in also a key part of what we aim to do this year.  Helping those in need of additional support, particularly those on low incomes is a major driver for the initiatives we have planned”.

Penny Rounthwaite
Regional Commissioner for Social Development

 

 

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Highlights of 2007/2008

In partnership with government agencies, individuals and organisations, a variety of initiatives and programmes have been developed to address Central’s important social issues.

Highlights of work include:

• establishment of Social Work Student Unit at the Child, Youth and Family office in Palmerston North
• steady progress achieved in addressing youth offending
• providing access to Health Solutions (PATHS) focused on reducing health barriers to employment for people receiving a Sickness or Invalid’s Benefit
• the establishment of a partnership with the Wairarapa, Otaki and Horowhenua Primary Health Organisations to helping people with mental health conditions to move towards employment
• START, a Youth Transition Service, continued to see Palmerston North’s young people on the pathway to achieving their potential
• establishment of an Early Years Service Hub in Tararua.

Key Priorities for 2008/2009

Give children the best start in life

Key programmes and initiatives include:

• focusing on children
• promoting positive parenting
• caring for children of working families
• ensuring the wellbeing of children adopted from overseas
• improving the response to vulnerable families.

Help young people achieve their potential

Key programmes and initiatives include:

• developing our young people
• intervening early with young offenders
• providing young people with a voice
• helping young people transition effectively
• helping tertiary students make good decisions.

Enable people to live independent lives

Key programmes and initiatives include:

• providing the right support
• addressing health and disability needs of people wanting work
• valuing our older people
• offering working opportunities for more people
• developing our local labour market.

Support families and whanau to be safe and resilient

Key programmes and initiatives include:

• identifying families with multiple and complex needs
• building families’ resilience
• connecting families and communities
• building support for families experiencing family violence
• helping families to reach their full potential.

Strengthen communities

Key programmes and initiatives include:

• strengthening community providers
• building a responsive, co-ordinated approach
• supporting local-level planning
• collaborating on community outcomes
• providing community resources
• supporting new business enterprises
• bringing services together in one place.