Editorial - Stronger Families Learning Exchange
The Final Bulletin
Stronger Families Learning Exchange Bulletin No.7 Spring 2005 p.2
Welcome to the final edition of the Stronger Families Learning Exchange Bulletin. We have enjoyed learning more about projects funded under the first phase of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy (SFCS). It is inspiring to see such great work being undertaken and then shared with the broader community.
We would especially like to acknowledge the work performed by Jane Mallick on this edition of the bulletin. Her hard work and dedication was highly valued by other members of the editorial team.
This edition highlights the work of projects funded in the first round of the Strategy in a number of lead articles and project reports. It also includes an update from the Australian Government Department of Family and Community Services on the next phase of the Strategy and introduces more of the new projects funded under this phase.
From SFLEX to CAFCA
The role of the Australian Institute of Family Studies in this next phase of the Strategy is still unfolding. The new name, Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia (CAFCA) reflects a broader role. We expect to provide many of the same services, including library support and web-based resources, along with resources for community development and local research. As a member of the Strategy's national evaluation team, we will also be working with projects to identify and promote case studies of "promising practice". We would like to continue communicating with you, so please complete the covering address sheet if you want to stay on our mail list.
CAFCA team
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves as the new team working at the Institute to support projects funded under the Strategy.
Helen Cheney is the manager of the Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia. She was born and raised in Melbourne, although she has lived and worked in Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales. Helen has worked as a manager, researcher, educator and consultant throughout Australia with a range of community, government and industry groups. Her work has focused on community development, public policy, social change and sustainability. She has particular experience working with people who are disadvantaged, including Indigenous, low-income, youth, migrant and women's groups.
Helen is keen that the Institute continues the good work of the Stronger Families Learning Exchange, to ensure that the learning and evaluation from projects can be shared with the broader community. Also, she would like to be involved in creating effective communication processes that enable good practice in the field to inform public policy and program development.
Sana Wassouf has been at the Australian Institute of Family Studies for over seven years. During this time she has worked as a librarian where she supported projects funded under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy enabling her to make a valuable contribution to her role with Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia. Most recently she has worked in the Strategy and Communications unit. She is currently CAFCA's Communication and Networks Development Officer. Sana's experience in the community sector involves running playgroups for children and teaching English to refugees.
We hope you enjoy this edition of the Bulletin - the final one in this series - and we look forward to working with you in the future.
