Cafs secures state funding

WITH the cost-of-living crisis still looming over many, one of Ballarat’s key child and family service organisations is being assisted to support people in the region who are struggling financially.

Following a successful bid, Cafs will share in the State Government’s $15 million Financial Counselling Funding Round 2024/25 aimed at ameliorating housing-related financial challenges for Victorians.

Through the grant, Cafs staff are aiming to establish a Financial Wellness Hub where people can access support services, counselling and coaching, and can be helped towards financial independence.

Cafs CEO Wendy Sturgess said the hub will serve as a one-stop access point to help people with their rental or mortgage needs.

“The hub will allow us to create easy-to-use, non-intimidating channels of communication to reach people within our community experiencing financial hardship due to rental or mortgage stress,” she said.

“Cost of living is an issue increasingly impacting so many within our community. We know that early intervention is the key to assisting people to overcome financial hardship.

“The benefit of the service that Cafs delivers is that we work with families and individuals in the environment they feel most comfortable.

“This, in turn, removes the issues and stigma that services are hard to reach and makes services more accessible through universal locations.

“Investing in early intervention as opposed to responding once a person is engaged with statutory services delivers a better return on investment for the client, the community, service providers and the Government.”

The hub will also be open to adjacent regions via an online component, including Horsham, Central Goldfields, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, and Glenelg.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said it is important Cafs continues to be supported with state resources.

“Funding for financial counselling at Cafs will have real benefits supporting people experiencing financial difficulties, providing professional financial support when they need it most,” she said.