This exciting new program aims to break the cycle of intergenerational joblessness, by bringing together long-term jobless families, local community and government organizations, businesses and employers in order to address the barriers that can prevent families from participating in employment.

Building Family Opportunities (BFO) is a voluntary employment program that will provide intensive support to 400 families across the local government areas of Playford, Port Augusta and Port Adelaide Enfield. The program is an initiative of the Social Inclusion Unit and the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST).

The BFO program utilises a strengths based or 'life first' (as opposed to a 'work first') approach in order to identify and harness family strengths, to address challenges and build the necessary confidence and skills to succeed in education, training and ultimately, sustainable employment.

To be considered for participation in Building Family Opportunities a family must:
- reside in one of the three local government areas of Playford, Port Augusta, Port Adelaide Enfield; and where
- the principal wage earner has been jobless for a period of 12 months or greater; and
- has been eligible for full income support in the previous 12 months; and
- include dependent young people aged 24 years or less living in the household

Any agency can identify vulnerable families and refer them to the program.

Once a family is in the program, intensive support will be provided to them through Centacare Catholic Family Services in the Playford Local Government Area (LGA).
 
For further information and to find out how families can participate, contact:
Centacare Building Family Opportunities Program (Playford)
34 Yorktown Road, Elizabeth Park, SA 5113
Ph: (08) 8252 2311
Fax: (08) 8255 6625
Email: elizabeth@centacare.org.au
Web: www.centacare.org.au

Building Family Opportunities
Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology
Level 4, 11 Waymouth Street Adelaide SA 5000
GPO Box 320 Adelaide 5001
Ph: (08) 8463 4376
Fax: (08) 8463 6634
Email: dfeest.bfo@sa.gov.au
Web: www.dfeest.sa.gov.au