About AFRC
The Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse (AFRC) is hosted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies. The AFRC is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Aim
The principal aim of the Clearinghouse is to collect and deliver the latest relevant research and best practice to family relationship service providers and practitioners across Australia. The Clearinghouse will also contribute to the goals of the Family Support Program by offering a resource and point of contact for providers of family relationship and support services. Policy makers and members of the research and broader communities will also benefit from having access to the Clearinghouse.
It is intended that the material disseminated by the AFRC will enhance understanding of: research into family relationships; innovative and effective programs and practices; and the need for and means of achieving high quality program/practice evaluation.
Functions
- To collect, synthesise and disseminate current information highlighting research, resources and issues of relevance to family and relationship practitioners, service providers and policy makers.
- To inform and stimulate research and evaluation of family and relationship programs and practices, and to contribute to the development and improvement of models of good policy and practice in family relationships and support services.
- To increase the capacity of the Family Relationship Services Program to showcase new, innovative and effective approaches to service provision and practice, and to respond to changing family needs.
- To facilitate and encourage networking and information exchange relating to family relationships within and across sectors.
Services
Publications
The information resources of the Clearinghouse are disseminated to a network of clients through electronic publications. Join the mailing list to receive Family Relationships Quarterly, AFRC Briefing which is published three times per year, AFRC Issues, published once per year and AFRC Resource Sheets, a summary of information contained in AFRC Issues papers.
The Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse is seeking contributions to its Newsletter. If you are working or studying in an area related to research and best practice in family relationships, support services, and program/practice evaluation and you think you could write an article or other items of relevance which would interest our readership, the Clearinghouse would be pleased to hear from you.
Library services
Library collection
The Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse - through the Australian Institute of Family Studies Library - collates the latest research, literature and other information resources relevant to the enhancement of family relationships across the lifespan. Anyone can search the Australian Institute of Family Studies Library catalogue.
Electronic resources in the catalogue are available directly via their web address. Print resources are available via the inter-library loan system. Contact your organisation's library or your local library for details of this system.
Electronic mailing list: AFRC-alert
Join the electronic mailing list, AFRC-alert, which is published monthly, and receive notification of Clearinghouse publications and information on the latest research, practice news and resources, as well as forthcoming conferences and events.
Reference Group
An external reference group has been established to inform the work of the Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse (AFRC).
The role of the Reference Group includes: identifying current and emerging research and information requirements of stakeholders; providing guidance and feedback on the research and dissemination strategies of the Clearinghouse; and providing feedback on Clearinghouse outputs.
The reference group meets face-to-face once a year and by teleconference once a year.
Staff
Elly Robinson - Manager
Robyn Parker - Senior Research Officer
Catherine Caruana - Senior Research Officer
Carole Jean - Librarian
Ros Pach - Web Officer