Disadvantaged families are being turned away because the demand for help is too high, a service says.
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The Family Place CEO Malindey Sorrell says the Eurobodalla Shire suffers significant hardship and has called on state and federal governments to review funding models.
Formerly Eurobodalla Family Support, the service this week celebrated a new name - and will now be pushing for better funding for families.
"The Family Place does a great job of helping families referred to us and we see very positive community outcomes from all our services," Ms Sorrell said.
"Sadly, we have to turn some people away as we are not adequately funded to meet the demand in Eurobodalla.
we have to turn people away as we are not adequately funded
- Malindey Sorrell
"We will be calling on the NSW and Federal governments to review funding models in rural communities particularly in Eurobodalla.
"While all our local services work hard to deliver great outcomes funding is an issue for all of us".
"We have significant or higher than average rates of homelessness, lack of transport, unemployment, domestic violence, drug and alcohol and mental health issues.
"These issues are compounded when families are doing their best to care for children under very challenging circumstances."
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The service celebrated its new name this week: "The Eurobodalla Family Support Service celebrated a new milestone in its 32 years of providing a much-needed service to local families on Tuesday with a Rebrand Launch at Riverside Park in Moruya, in partnership with the SAGE Farmers Markets. The afternoon was a great success and included face painting, kid's mindfulness, yoga and pot planting."
"This journey has included voluntary and successful accreditation under the Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES) and the development of a new strategic plan.
"Changing the name to The Family Place reflects a commitment to becoming a more accessible, holistic service for all families in Eurobodalla.
"The Family Place offers unique parenting programs including onsite child minding, meditation and mindfulness, Koori Boori's, general family support, intensive family preservation, financial counselling and the Ngayaga djama-dhurga Project (I speak/talkDhurga).
"The Family Place brings our community and health services together in a family friendly hub" said Mrs Sorrell.
"Our service providers include Coast Country Occupational Therapy Service, South Coast Speech Pathology, Illawarra Tenancy Advice Service and Shoalcoast Legal Service."
Mrs Sorrell said that the new strategic direction and rebrand also underpins a strengthened commitment to advocate for better funding for Eurobodalla.
