About CAFCA
The Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia (CAFCA) is part of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). It is funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
Role of CAFCA
CAFCA’s role is to assist practitioners and policy-makers with accessing research to inform the planning and delivery of services to children (aged 0-12 years) and families. CAFCA focuses upon services delivered within disadvantaged Australian communities. CAFCA is an advocate for the use of evidence informed practice in this field.
CAFCA collects and distributes research evidence that is relevant, up-to-date and accessible to practitioners and policy-makers working in the field. CAFCA also promotes the use of evidence informed practice through various outreach activities.
Find out more about the purpose of, the services and the history of CAFCA (PDF 721 KB)
Services
Publications
CAFCA disseminates a monthly alert (CAFCA alert) with the latest news from the clearinghouse, the Australian Institute of Family Studies and the fields of child and family services and community development. Join the mailing list to receive the monthly e-Alert.
CAFCA produces Practice Sheets that summarise research and provide tips and guidance for policy-makers and practitioners on specific aspects of service delivery. The first of these practice sheets will be available in mid 2010.
Past publications and research produced by CAFCA are also available on our papers and publications page.
Promising Practice Profiles
One of CAFCA’s most popular resources is the Promising Practice Profile database. They can be accessed via our Promising Practice Profile page and cover a range of topics including engaging ‘hard-to-reach’ families, parenting skills and school readiness.
Each Promising Practice Profile describes a practice that has been utilised by a child and family service or agency in Australia and shown to be effective. Promising Practice Profiles have been written by service providers or local evaluators and thus draw directly upon the experience of professionals in the field. During 2009-2010 CAFCA will be adding more profiles to the Promising Practice Profile list.
Outreach
CAFCA undertakes outreach activities such as conference presentations, conducting workshops and seminars, providing specialist advice and sitting on relevant working groups and committees.
Research helpdesk
CAFCA provides a phone-based and electronic-based helpdesk for practitioners about the planning and delivery of services to children and families in disadvantaged Australian communities. Helpdesk staff draw on the former Stronger Families and Communities Strategy national evaluation evidence base, as well as national and international research literature to respond to the questions of practitioners.
To access either the Research Helpdesk call: 03 9214 7888 or write to us via our contact form.
CAFCA library services
CAFCA provides access to the Australian Institute of Family Studies library collection. The Australian Institute of Family Studies library holds a comprehensive collection of national and international literature and resources such as books, journal articles, reports, education resources and DVDs on topics such as early intervention, child development and strengthening families and communities.
Library membership scheme
If you work for a not-for- profit, non-government service you may be eligible to be a CAFCA library member.
Library membership is free and entitles you to borrow books, reports and audiovisual materials from the Institute's library collection. You can have up to 25 articles photocopied per year from journals held by the Institute’s library.
Join the CAFCA Library Membership scheme.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies Library collates the latest research, literature and other information resources relevant to children and families. 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.
CAFCA staff at the Australian Institute of Family Studies
Myfanwy McDonald - CAFCA Co-ordinator
Ros Pach - Web Officer