HISTORY & CULTURE
From its humble beginnings in 1968 as the Frankston
Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB), Community Support
Frankston (CSF) has, over the past 50+ years, developed a
strong background as a local service provider, notably
being the only CAB to ever offer Emergency Relief (ER) in
the Frankston area, as well as being the 1st CAB in
Australia to publish a book advocating for a more
progressive hand-up and empowerment approach to ER.
CSF is now widely recognised by its peers, government and
the community as a leader in its field, being responsive to
changing community needs, and providing sector-wide
leadership that has helped pave the way for a more
progressive service model.
INNOVATION
CSF continues to be a trail-blazer in Australia, providing
specialised support to people experiencing severe
disadvantage in their local community, and has developed
a wide range of information and projects to meet the ever
changing needs of local people.
CSF continues to be a leader at the forefront of change in
the Community ER Services sector, creating a strong
foundation for a positive future that remains adaptable to
change.
CAPABLE GOVERNANCE
Ranging from running their own businesses to being
retired professionals, CSF Board Members are from
professional backgrounds - whilst also having a sound
knowledge in the community services sector - thereby
achieving competent oversight of finances and strategic
planning for the organisation.
COMPETENT STAFF
The majority of our paid staff commenced as volunteers at
CSF, and for those now working in a paid role, it’s definitely
more than just a job. By commencing as a volunteer, it has
allowed them to develop a strong understanding of the
organisation’s values, culture and commitment to
community.
Also, with the rigours of front-line volunteer work, their
personal experience has enabled them to fully appreciate
the demands that volunteers’ experience, and the
importance of providing them with a high level of support,
assistance and guidance.
SKILLED VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers provide the vital life blood that enables
efficient function and operation of our services. Our
volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, including
the human services, business and government sectors.
With intensive training and support, they are able to assist
clients experiencing a wide range of complex problems.
Our community workers (interviewers) also complete a
nationally accredited training course to handle complex
clients. Reception, Administration, Food & Meals Program
and Information Technology roles at CSF consist of
dedicated volunteers, who are regularly trained and
supported.
COUNCIL / FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Frankston City Council (FCC) continues to provide crucial
in-kind and staffing support to CSF, including office
accommodation, the costs of maintenance to the
premises, grounds, telephone and utilities, without which
we simply could not exist.
In more recent times, CSF was mobilised as FCC’s primary
partner in delivering ER, both financial and material, to
vulnerable Frankston residents during the COVID-19
pandemic.
Throughout its ER Program, CSF has maintained a strong
relationship over more than three decades with the
Federal Government’s Department of Social Services,
which moved to a competitive grant tendering process in
2014. CSF is now in its second phase of tendered
government funding, and has successfully advocated for
more adequate funding levels, which also included
securing additional funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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