At the primary level, prevention of problems and crises is effected through publicity, education, empowerment and early identification. The publicity campaign on Strengthening Families and Combating Violence continues. Family Support and Resource Centres provide drop-in service, mutual support and early identification and referral of cases in need of welfare service. Resources of these centres, among others, will be pooled to form IFSCs in 2004-05. The department's hotline service also provides information on social welfare services, and a Family Helpline manned by social workers provides immediate telephone counselling for individuals and families facing crisis.
At the secondary level, a range of support services, from developmental programmes to intensive counselling is provided through a network of Family Services Centres and Integrated Family Service Centres. A total of 83 205 cases were handled during the year. There are also two integrated services centres serving specific areas in Tung Chung and some parts of the outlying islands.
At the tertiary level, specialised services and crisis intervention are provided through five Family and Child Protective Services Units, the Family Crisis Support Centre and the Suicide Crisis Intervention Centre. In addition, four Refuge Centres provide 162 short-term residential places for individuals in need, including battered spouses and their children. They accept admission on a 24-hour basis. Two projects. on the prevention and handling of elder abuse are also being piloted.
Services for Street Sleepers
The problem of street-sleeping is tackled through a package of integrated services, including outreach visits, counselling, group activities, personal care, employment guidance and training, emergency funding, immediate shelter/hostel placement as well as service referrals. These services are provided by three NGO- operated integrated services teams for street sleepers, together with urban hostels for single persons operated by other NGOs. The Family Services Centres/ Integrated Family Service Centres also provide outreach, counselling, financial and accommodation assistance, referral for treatment and other support services to street sleepers.
Services for Children
The department provides a wide range of child welfare services. The adoption service arranges permanent homes for children abandoned by their parents or whose parents are unable to support them. Residential child care services are provided for children and young people who need care or protection because of family crises or their behavioural or emotional problems. At year-end, there were 765 places in foster care service, 944 places in small group homes and 1 331 places in children's homes, boys' and girls' homes and hostels.
Child care centres provide day care services for children under the age of six years. At year-end, there were 28 660 day nursery places, 960 day creche places, 711 occasional child care places and over 1 500 extended hour places provided in 270 aided child care centres. All child care centres have to register under the Child Care Services Ordinance and Regulations. Low-income families meeting a social need