Communities for Children Facilitating Partners (CfC FP)

The Communities for Children Facilitating Partner (CfC FP) program is a place-based model of investment supporting children and families in 52 disadvantaged communities across Australia.

The CfC FP program facilitates a whole-of-community approach to support early childhood development and wellbeing with a focus on children from birth to 12 years, and can include children up to 18 years and their families.

In each of the 52 communities, a Facilitating Partner (FP) organisation works with other organisations in the community called Community Partners (CPs) to provide services targeted to their community.

FPs use an early intervention approach that supports families to improve their relationships with each other; improve parenting skills; and ensure the health and wellbeing of children.

CfC FP activities are funded until 30 June 2026.

Who will benefit from the CfC FP program?

The place-based model of the CfC FP program supports childhood development and the wellbeing of children and their families, by facilitating a whole-of-community approach. As a result, CfC FP services may produce benefits for whole communities, in addition to children and families.

What is the role of the Facilitating Partner?

FPs play a facilitation role working with local communities, building on local strengths to meet the needs of individual communities. FPs work to create capability in partnership with local service systems, using strong evidence of what works in early intervention and prevention, as well as local knowledge and experience. They collaborate with other organisations to provide a holistic service system for children and families.

How is the CfC FP program delivered?

Facilitating Partners fund Community Partners to provide services targeted to their community, identified by a local committee. These services include parenting support, group peer support, case management, home visiting, community events and life skills courses.

Activities that support children and families affected by domestic and family violence may also be supported.

CfC FP providers are committed to evidence-based practice and deliver services that have been shown to achieve positive results for children and families.

To find a service near you, go to the DSS Grant Service Directory and search the list of Facilitating Partners.

Operational Guidelines

The CfC FP Operational Guidelines assist providers to work in a consistent, coordinated and cooperative way. The guidelines outline the key elements of service delivery and seek to clarify policy and process questions that may arise during the delivery of the CfC FP activity.

Community Strategic Plan

CfC FP grant agreements include requirements for FPs to develop a Community Strategic Plan (CSP) which is the strategic document that sets out the long-term goals for the community over the life of the grant agreement.

Guidance for completing the CSP is located within the CSP template document.

Activity Work Plans

CfC FP grant agreements include requirements for FPs to submit Activity Work Plans (AWPs). AWPs provide detail on the activities that will be implemented and delivered in the CfC FP site over the upcoming 1 or 2 year period. After each period ends FPs will also submit an AWP Report outlining the progress of the services listed in their AWP.

The activities in the AWP must support the long-term goals identified in the CSP.

Guidance for completing AWPs and AWP Reports are located within each template document.

Review point

In 2023-24, the department will review the mid-term performance of CfC FP service providers. This Review Point is an opportunity for the department and service providers to check if grant activities are on track, find areas for improvement, and work together to achieve better outcomes for families and children in Australia. The review will commence on 1 September 2023 and the department will notify providers of their outcomes by 29 February 2024.

The assessment criteria for the Review Point can be found in the CfC FP Operational Guidelines.

Stronger ACCOs, Stronger Families Part 2 Project

The Stronger ACCOs (Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations), Stronger Families Part 2 project aims to strengthen partnerships between ACCOs and non-Indigenous organisations. A number of CfC FP providers are working with the project delivery partner, Wunan Foundation, to improve First Nation involvement and outcomes in the activities they deliver. Further information can be found here.

Grant extensions from 1 July 2021

CfC FP providers received 5-year grant extensions from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2026.

As part of these extensions, the department introduced a number of reforms aimed at improving reporting and tracking of outcomes for Australia’s families and children. More information is available on the FaC Activity 2021 reforms webpage.

CfC FP documents

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