SDN Brighter Futures is funded by the NSW Government Department of Family and Community Services.
What is the Brighter Futures program?
Is your family facing difficulties? Do you think your family would benefit from a supported range of services? If so, you may be eligible for the Brighter Futures program. Sometimes a little extra help is all that is needed to prevent family problems from getting bigger and bigger. Brighter Futures can offer significant benefits for your children and your family.
Brighter Futures is a voluntary, targeted program designed for families who are encountering problems that impact on their ability to care for their children. Brighter Futures provides families with the necessary support and services to help prevent an escalation of the problems they are facing.
Can my family use Brighter Futures?
You may have been approached by a teacher, child care worker, early childhood nurse, midwife, counsellor or an agency asking if you would like to participate in the Brighter Futures program. If so, do not be concerned. This is a really positive option.
Brighter Futures is for families with one or more children aged nine years or younger – or are expecting a child – and who face specific problems such as:
- domestic violence
- parental drug and alcohol misuse
- parental mental health issues
- a lack of extended family or social supports
- parent/s with significant learning difficulties and/or intellectual disability
- a lack of parenting skills or inadequate supervision
- child behaviour management problems – such as parent/child conflict, school problems or parenting difficulties.
Families with children younger than three years old and families referred by an Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service are given priority access to Brighter Futures.
How can my family get started with the Brighter Futures program?
Families can enter the Brighter Futures program if they:
- are reported to Community Services via the helpline and refered to Brighter Futures, or
- are referred to SDN Child and Family Services by a community agency or individual, or
- refer themselves.
If you are experiencing any of the problems listed in the previous section you can refer your family to Brighter Futures yourself. Just contact your local SDN Brighter Futures office for details.
What can SDN Brighter Futures do for my family?
The program can provide a range of services to support your family. You could receive:
- home visits
- parenting programs
- case management by an Early Intervention Worker
- Brighter Futures playgroup
- ongoing support for parents while children transition out from the program and into school
- child care placement.
No hassles
The Brighter Futures program respects the fact that you are the expert when it comes to your family. So you will be involved in decisions about which services are provided, and what you want to achieve for your family.
Whether or not you decide to take part, accept particular services or continue once you have started is completely up to you. Your privacy and confidentiality will be respected.
Who is involved in the Brighter Futures program?
SDN works with 36 local area agency partners to provide case management support to over 200 families enrolled in the Brighter Futures program.
Together, we work towards:
- healthy development in children
- strong, functional and well supported families
- reduced child abuse and neglect in participating families.
The program is flexible and innovative. SDN builds on the strengths of our partners to service a diverse range of families and give each individual family the support they need.
