ACT for Kids – a charity providing free services to treat and prevent child abuse and neglect in Australia

Commonwealth Bank Charity Dinner a huge success

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia's Group Credit Risk Charity Fundraising Dinner was a great success, raising over $110,000 for three children's charities.

Businesses donate Christmas presents

Thank you to the many businesses that pitched in to ensure each of our kids received a gift for Christmas.

Lecturer runs for 24 hours to raise awareness

Sunshine Coast man, Colin Solomon tested his physical and mental endurance on 9 December 2011, running for 24 hours on a circuit from Alexandra Headland to Maroochydore.

Dr Katrina Lines featured in The Courier-Mail forum

ACT for Kids Executive Director of Programs, Research and Education, Dr Katrina Lines was invited to participate in The Courier-Mail's Let the Sun Shine In forum on 15 September discussing the topic law and order.

Indigenous parenting videos

The Raising Children Network recently released evidence-based information and advice for parents with a strong Indigenous focus on their Australian parenting website. The four new videos, filmed in Cairns in May 2011, were created with the help and expertise of ACT for Kids SafeKIDS and Youth Opportunity Program staff, and our Indigenous Workforce Strategy cadets.

Indigenous Workforce Strategy (IWS) Cadetship Graduation

Congratulations to ACT for Kids’ most recent Indigenous Workforce Strategy (IWS) graduates on completing their Certificates III and IV in Community Services Work.

Our North Queensland centre is growing

ACT for Kids' North Queensland centre has a new space with 21 rooms thanks to JCU!

Permanent Bus Assistant for North Brisbane kindy

For many years, ACT for Kids has relied on dedicated volunteers to take on the demanding role of supervising kids with challenging behaviours on the Early Education Program (EEP) bus. This year we were able to recruit a permanent Bus Assistant thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor!

Freemasons open up the senses

After a year of sausage sizzles and fundraising, Freemason group, St Andrew of Townsville Lodge No. 94, raised $5,624 to fund the development of a dedicated sensory and occupational therapy room in the new ACT for Kids' North Queensland centre.

Townsville RAAF riders sweat it out to raise funds

More than 65 local cyclists from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Townsville rode over 100 kms on 13 October to raise more than $5,000 for our North Queensland centre.

Lawyers volunteer to spring clean for kids

A group of 14 volunteers from Mallesons Stephen Jaques law firm in Brisbane rolled up their sleeves on 12 October to spring clean ACT for Kids' kindy in North Brisbane.

Townsville Bulletin jumps on board

Townsville Bulletin is getting behind ACT for Kids as the official charity of North Queensland Newspapers.

Australians help turn lives around during Child Protection Week 2011

The Channel Seven/ACT for Kids Appeal ran during National Child Protection Week, 4-11 September 2011, raising awareness and urging Australians to help turn lives around from child abuse and neglect.

Thanks to the many generous supporters who gave during the appeal, we raised $108,804 which will help us to continue providing free services to the kids and families who need it most.

Australians help turn lives around during Child Protection Week 2011

Volunteers shine at Emmy's Night of Stars

ACT for Kids’ Emmy’s Night of Stars Gala Dinner on Friday 2 September was a night to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our many longstanding supporters and a chance to raise much needed funds for our support services.

SUBWAY are gold!

As an ACT for Kids Gold Sponsor, SUBWAY has raised the bar in terms of support.

Funding for iPads

A big thank you to the Reef Island Casino Community Benefit Fund for awarding ACT for Kids North Queensland with a grant of $3,954 to purchase five iPad 2 notebooks to use in therapy sessions.

Thanks for the freebies!

A big thank you to all of the radio stations, publications and other media outlets that have given us free advertising space during the Channel Seven/ACT for Kids appeal 2011.

Appeal launch at Central Station

We again launched the Channel Seven/ACT for Kids appeal at Brisbane Central Station on Monday 5 September - raising awareness and urging Queenslanders to help turn lives around from child abuse and neglect.

Help turn lives around, get involved during Child Protection Week 2011

National Child Protection Week (4-11 September) has been raising the profile of child protection in Australia for more than 20 years. There are events planned across Australia so you can get involved wherever you are, because child protection is everybody's business.

Helping put the future in their hands

Recently we were heartened to see evaluation results from a three year pilot - the Youth Opportunity Program (YOP) in far north Queensland. The results have confirmed the positive impact ACT for Kids has had on the lives of young people in that region.

Supporting families before they reach breaking point

Strengthening families is at the heart of everything we do at ACT for Kids. We work with parents, carers, young people and children, as well as other service providers across entire communities to make sure children and young people can have the safe and happy childhood they deserve.

Generosity helps those waiting

At ACT for Kids we help over 1,000 kids every week, but due to funding restraints we have children on waiting lists for most of our critical services. work with. Fortunately last year we received significant ongoing funding from the Bryan and Talbot Foundations (respectively) and can now care for more children in Brisbane and Townsville.

There are many ways you can support us

There are many ways you can support ACT for Kids, You can join our team of enthusiastic Vollies, become a Kids Crusader and donate monthly, or leave a donation in your Will.

We can support you too. Call today to book a speaker from the ACT for Kids team.

Welcome to The Peak Partnership!

We are delighted to officially acknowledge The Peak Partnership as a bronze sponsor.

Gold Coast SUNS jump on-board

ACT for Kids has been selected as one of the Gold Coast SUNS official charity partners!

Subway still bringing in the coin

Subway customers have donated a total of $91,000 since January 2010!

Racing carnival brings in cash

As the charity beneficiary of this year's Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival Pin & Win promotion, ACT for Kids raised over $19,000 over five weeks at the track.

Celebrity designed millinery up for auction on eBay

Classic and contemporary pieces from 11 Channel Seven personalities are up for grabs, including news presenter, Kay McGrath, and Winners and Losers star, Melissa Bergland, starting at only $10!

Calling for nominations for the 2011 Child Protection Awards

Individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the wellbeing and protection of Queensland children and young people are being asked to nominate for the 2011 Child Protection Awards.

Ground breaking early support service launched on the Gold Coast

ACT for Kids officially launched the new Helping Out Families Program on the Gold Coast on 18 May 2011. Minister for Child Safety, Phil Reeves, congratulated our Gold Coast team and unveiled a plaque commemorating the launch of the program.

BBC Kids share the spirit of Easter

Brisbane Boys College in Toowong showered ACT for Kids with Easter eggs on Monday 18th April when the junior school banded together to donate hundreds of Easter eggs to brighten the holidays for abused and neglected kids.

Worrying state of kids in care

Since 2006, the Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian has conducted an annual survey of children and young people in out-of-home care to explore their perceptions and experiences, and monitor changes in these over time.

The shared findings provide a critical perspective on the effectiveness of Queensland's child protection and youth justice systems. Click below to read the findings of the Views of Children and Young People in Foster Care, Queensland, 2010 report.

ACT for Kids awarded funding to help more families

Vulnerable families referred to ACT for Kids on the Gold Coast will now be able to access an increased range of free services including practical in-home support such as assistance with budgeting, meal preparation, parenting and life management skills and individual and family counselling.

Townsville tattoos its mark on child protection

Talented Townsville photographer and ACT for Kids supporter, Kate Glover, is again stepping behind the lens to capture the tattoo art on local residents for her second stylised photo book Townsville INK volume two.

Helping children understand traumatic events

A large number of children have been affected by recent natural disasters, through major disruption, losses and frightening experiences. Many children have suffered indirectly through hearing about the floods or knowing someone who has lost their home. These can all be traumatic experiences for children.

ACT for Kids Regional Manager, North Queensland, and trauma expert, Renee McAllister, was interviewed by Seven News during the floods, offering advice for parents about how to help their children during traumatic events.

Musical with a WICKED outcome

Broadway's biggest blockbuster, WICKED, reached Brisbane at the same time as the devastating floods. The first people to see WICKED in Brisbane were the sell-out crowd for the Final Dress Rehearsal on Sunday 9 January. As the charity beneficiary, ACT for Kids raised more than $92,000 from the performance!

E3! show their support

The ACT for Kids family is growing and we're excited to introduce our new Silver Sponsor E3!

ACT for Kids ad wins Mobius Award

We're thrilled to announce that our "face up" TV ad has won the only award for direction at the 2010 international Mobius Awards! The Mobius Awards recognise excellence in advertising and are judged by an international panel of experts.

Buy some cheap thrills and support ACT for Kids

The new 2011 | 2012 Entertainment Book is full of great discounts and $13 from each book sold will be donated to ACT for Kids!

For only $65, you'll receive $15,000 worth of valuable offers for Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas, valid until 1 June 2012.

Buy some cheap thrills and support ACT for Kids

New partnership with Softball Queensland

We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Softball Queensland - they will provide volunteer assistance at our fundraising events, help raise awareness at championship meets and hold collection drives for ACT for Kids.

Through Our Children's Eyes donates 25% of book proceeds

Check out the new inspirational book for parents, Through Our Children's Eyes by author Margaret Jarvinen. Margaret is generously donating 25% of proceeds from book sales to ACT for Kids!

Zarraffa's Coffee supporting ACT for Kids

ACT for Kids is excited to welcome Zarraffa's Coffee to the family as Bronze Sponsors. Zarraffa's Coffee donate 50% of the proceeds from their Coffee Caddy and generously donate prizes for our fundraising events.

The true spirit of Christmas

A heart-felt thank you to all who gave a generous donation and sent in their signed Christmas tree decoration to show the kids visiting our therapy centres how many caring people are thinking of them this Christmas.

New initiative to prevent child abuse

ACT for Kids has been awarded almost $3 million a year for the next three years as part of the Queensland Government's new 'Helping Out Families' initiative being piloted in the South East corner. ACT for Kids will launch the Gold Coast trial of the initiative in January 2011.

Results show effectiveness of Active Parenting Program

Recent results for families participating in the ACT for Kids Active Parenting Program show positive change in child wellbeing, family relationships and home environment; effectively preventing child abuse and helping children avoid entering the child protection system.

"No wrong door" policy significantly reduces child abuse

In 2006, ACT for Kids established the Active Parenting Program in an Indigenous community close to Cairns - a service for families at risk of child harm, to provide education for parents and access to help when they are under pressure. Originally only working with referred families, we are proud to report that the local community has embraced the service and our team is now approached directly by families.

Take a minute - listen to a young person who was in care

My name's Skye and I'm 20 years old.

This is my true story and I want to share it because I believe it's important and people should hear it.

Take a minute - listen to a young person who was in care

Developing Australia's Indigenous community service workers

Congratulations to ACT for Kids' most recent Indigenous Workforce Strategy (IWS) graduates on completing their Certificates III and IV in Community Services Work.

Now we'll travel better online!

ACT for Kids is excited to announce our new partnership with travel.com.au. Launched in 1997, travel.com.au offers business and leisure travellers access to great deals on flights, accommodation, holidays, hire cars, cruises and travel insurance.

ACT for Kids and JCU lead the way in child protection

ACT for Kids recently announced a new partnership with James Cook University (JCU) to establish the ACT for Kids Centre of Excellence within the JCU Townsville precinct. Together we will lead the way in education, training and research in child protection practice...

Peak Partnership donate $5,000

The Peak Partnership recently added to the ACT for Kids fundraising coffers with a $5,000 donation. They've generously supported us as their major community partner and fundraising beneficiary for the past 18 years.

Inaugural Melbourne Cup Calcutta sensation

Keen punters converged at the renowned Ascot Baguette Bistrot and Bar in the heart of Brisbane's racing precinct to enjoy a night of fine wine, canapes and entertainment.

Brewery Trivia a fundraising success

On Wednesday 29th September, Townsville residents got together for a great night out playing trivia at Brewery Tavern to raise money for ACT for Kids.

Queenslanders face up to help abused kids

This year, our Child Protection Week program was more impressive than ever with the inaugural 'Channel Seven /ACT for Kids Appeal' which closed at midnight Friday 10 September.

This appeal helped us raise vital funds and awareness and while we didn't reach our ambitious fundraising target, there are some wonderful stories behind the donations that will warm your heart...

Queenslanders face up to help abused kids

Budget Direct answers call to help abused kids

It was the Budget Direct team who stepped up to support us behind the scenes throughout our recent Channel Seven/ACT for Kids Appeal.

Keeping Indigenous kids in their communities

ACT for Kids celebrated another significant milestone with the official opening of three Safe Houses for Indigenous children in Doomadgee, Napranum and Pormpuraaw in Far North Queensland. Safe Houses in Aurukun and Kowanyama will also open soon.

Speaking through art therapy

Louise created this peice for ACT for Kids' CEO, Dr Neil Carrington.