Act for Kids
April 2023
Act for Kids is a for-purpose organisation that delivers evidence-led professional therapy and support services to children and families who have experienced or are at risk of harm. Our dedicated team of psychologists, speech therapists, early education specialists, counsellors, occupational therapists and family support workers have helped hundreds of thousands of children and families since 1988. Act for Kids operates 30 centres across Australia and has a team of over 450 staff from Adelaide all the way up to the Cape York Peninsula. Our services have expanded to include integrated therapy, support for vulnerable families, special workshops to empower kids and safe houses in remote Aboriginal communities. Through prevention, treatment, research, education and advocacy, we are committed to supporting thousands of children, young people and their families.
Mission
We help keep kids safe, heal from trauma and lead happy lives.
Website
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Proceeds: 10% of Sunflowers sales during April
Order NowAbout Act for Kids
In 1988 health professionals and the legal fraternity established the Abused Child Trust and launched a public campaign to fund a treatment and rehabilitation centre in Brisbane. On 20 June 1989, a child abuse treatment centre is opened at Wooloowin in premises provided by the Queensland Government. By the end of the year, the centre has treated more than 140 abused and neglected kids. In 1995 The Trust holds seminars for foster parents in Maryborough, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns. In 1997, a part-time counselling service is established for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at Koolyangarra. The Trust wins the Albert & Rose Hingeley Service of Excellence Award for Children's Services. In 1999 a treatment centre is established on the Gold Coast, and a part-time outreach service is provided for Redcliffe and its districts. In 2002 a treatment centre is opened in Townsville. The Trust is Highly Commended in the Excellence Category for Services by the National Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse. In 2006 a treatment centre is opened in Cairns, along with a second centre on the Gold Coast. In 2008 Act for Kids begins its SafeKIDS program, opening Safe Houses in Napranum, Doomadgee, Pormpuraaw, Aurukun and Kowanyama. In 2013 The charity is rebranded Act for Kids and opens centres in Gympie, Maryborough, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Roma, and Adelaide. A Child and Family Centre of Excellence opens in Townsville. Act for Kids launches a social enterprise called Youthrive. In 2019 Act for Kids now helps over 41,000 people every year through 26 centres across Australia. On 24 March 2021 – Hon. Kevin Rudd, 27th Prime Minister of Australia, officially launched Act for Kids’ Reconciliation Action Plan for 2021-2023. In August 2021, CEO Dr Katrina Lines announced that Act for Kids had redefined their Purpose to “help keep kids safe, heal from trauma and lead happy lives”.