PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12 FEBRUARY 2008

Jigsaw Says Government Announcement a Watershed Day for Supporting Children and Their Families

Jigsaw CEO Strategic Operations, Liz Kinley says today’s announcement by Helen Clark, to invest substantial extra funding into the community social services that support our children and families, is a very big step forward for New Zealand.

This follows news that today the government has granted $446 million to better support and sustain local services across the country.

Ms Kinley is delighted with this news and believes that children and families will benefit greatly from this investment.

“This is an exciting day for families and children in New Zealand. In 20 years time we will look back at the 12 of February 2008 and say this announcement was a watershed day for the government, community organisations and children and families in New Zealand. It is a powerfully delivered message from the government about the value of the work our social services carry out at local level, often unnoticed by many of us until we need them. It demonstrates the importance of protecting and sustaining them as an integral part of our social network”

Ms Kinley believes this major funding investment will have a significant future impact on the way community organisations carry out their work and the way they use their resources.

“One of the most exciting consequences of the implementation of this announcement will be that community organizations like those belonging to Jigsaw no longer have to spend much of their time finding the money to deliver the essential services families need.

“Their time, energy, expertise and creativity will be released to focus on better and better ways to help families care for their children and live safely together. And that will help our children to thrive and our families to flourish.”

ENDS

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