XN000022-1993-05-21 — Page 16

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FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1993

MONTHS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONSULTATION PERIOD WOULD LAST THREE

"A REPORT WILL BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AFTER CONSULTING THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH.

"AND THE FINAL REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED то THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR POLICY APPROVAL. HE ADDED.

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TAKE FAMILY SERIOUSLY: SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR

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THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, TODAY (FRIDAY) SET OUT A DETAILED ACTION PLAN TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY, ASSIST PARENTAL AND MARITAL COMMITMENT AND STABILITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED.

SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND WEST, MR STRACHAN SAID THE PLAN INCLUDED THREE PARTS: PREVENTION, SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY AND SERVICES TO HELP FAMILIES IN TROUBLE.

ON PREVENTION, MR STRACHAN SAID THERE WOULD PROGRAMMES, FAMILY ACTIVITY AND RESOURCE CENTRES EDUCATION, TO HELP FAMILIES STAY CLEAR OF TROUBLE.

BE TWO SPECIFIC AND FAMILY LIFE

"THESE CENTRES WILL PROVIDE AN INITIAL POINT OF CONTACT WITH SOCIAL WORKERS, SPECIFICALLY THEY WILL PROVIDE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR FAMILIES IN A GROUP SETTING.

"THEY SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY FAMILIES WHO HAVE PROBLEMS AND TO GIVE THEM MORE SUPPORT.

"FAMILIES WITH GREATER PROBLEMS WIL!. BR REFERRED то FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES," HE SAID.

HE BELIEVED THAT BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO) TOGETHER COULD PROVIDE ABOUT 30 CENTRES, THAT WAS ABOUT TWO IN EACH DISTRICT BY WAY OF REDEPLOYMENT OF STAFF.

"WE WILL, HOWEVER, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM 1994 ΤΟ HELP THOSE SPECIAL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRES OPERATED BY NGO'S FOR DISABLED CHILDREN.

"THESE CENTRES USUALLY OPERATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH EARLY EDUCATION TRAINING CENTRES AND PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL HELP TO PARENTS WITH YOUNG DISABLED CHILDREN, HE ADDED,

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/ON FAMILY