Uniting Vic.Tas CEO Bronwyn Pike has welcomed funding in the 2024-25 Victorian State Budget to support the organisation’s programs and services but stressed more can always be done to assist low-income families.
“Cost of living pressures are having a devastating impact, not only on household budgets, but also on people’s mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Pike said.
“We’re pleased with the continuation of funding for the highly successful Family Preservation and Reunification Response program and the Early Help pilot program, which ensures more families have access to early support before their problems become more complex.
“Given the pressures on families, the one-off $400 cash payment for children at schools will help by offsetting some out of pocket school costs.
“As a provider of early learning services, we are concerned about delays to the free kindergarten program. There is strong evidence that investment in early education leads to significantly improved outcomes for children at school.”
Ms Pike welcomed the ongoing funding for Uniting’s crisis support accommodation for women experiencing homelessness but said there was still more work to be done to address the state’s escalating homelessness crisis.
