A game-changing opportunity presents itself to improve community services for children, young people and families in Geelong and right across the Barwon community, with the establishment of Barwon Child, Youth & Family.
Barwon Child, Youth & Family CEO Sandy Morrison officially launched the new entity at a breakfast held at Deakin University's Waterfront Campus in Geelong early Thursday morning. The new agency was formed after the successful merger between three of Geelong's most respected community service providers in Barwon Youth, Glastonbury Community Services and Time for Youth.
"The objectives of the merger were not necessarily about becoming a bigger agency, but more so about an agency that is better equipped to provide stronger support services to the most complex and at risk children, young people and families across the region," said Morrison.
"We've listened to the voice of our clients and all too frequently individuals and families accessing services such as ours have multiple needs," continued Morrison. "Our new agency has been developed 'for the people' and will allow for much more integrated service delivery, meaning that if a client with multiple needs enters our door they will have access to a diverse suite of services catering for individuals and families of all ages."
Former Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police and recently elected Board Chair of Barwon Child, Youth & Family, John Frame, believes the new entity can positively shape the future of community services across the region.
"We've got a unique opportunity to leverage off the strongest elements of the three founding agencies," said Frame. "We are now an agency that is based on integration and multidisciplinary support that puts the needs of our people first."
"We are excited by what the future holds for us as an organisation and for the streamlined approach we can now take to tackling some of the community's most pressing issues," said Frame.
More information about Barwon Child, Youth & Family can be accessed at www.barwonchildyouthfamily.org.au.
