Capacity Building and Sustainability: Stories from the Stronger Families Learning Exchange
The Stronger Families Learning Exchange, based at the Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, was established as an action research and resource centre for community projects funded under the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services' Strengthening Families and Community Strategy. A team of 10 action researchers has been working with 46 early intervention around Australia to support them in using action research and to undertake evaluation of their work.
The projects work in diverse communities across Australia from remote Indigenous communties to inner urban housing estates. The projects work with families who support children aged 0-5 years and their focus is on strengthening families and capacity building. This paper will describe the work of the SFLEX team and present stories that illustrate the value and dilemnas of a strength based approach to community work. It will include documention of the contribution of the projects and the work of the SFLEX team to sustainable practice and the building of social capital in communities and will also examine the importance of of understanding one's own standpoint when undertaking community work. The paper will conclude by discussing the implications of the SFLEX work for educators and community workers.