On April 28th, 2009, twenty participants joined in on the visit to different agencies in Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long. The visit was organized by CIFA’s Promotion and Fundraising Committee with the intention of deepening members’ understanding of Hong Kong’s latest family service model. In the

SWD (Social Welfare Department) Tin Shui Wai Integrated Family Service Centre, the District Social Welfare Officer gave everyone a comprehensive introduction on the district’s profile, service needs, challenges, and the strategies used to balance the needs of various sectors.

The Master degree program is a 3-year part-time program under the HKU Department of Social Work and Social Administration. It is the first of its kind in the region, modeled after the highest standards set up by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
(AAMFT), facilitating graduates to seek professional accreditation through the course of their career development.

As a follow up on the first forum on the captioned subject held on 9.2.09, the part 2 of the CIFA forum on Family Reconstruction after the Financial Tsunami will be held in April. We have identified families which have been affected by the financial tsunami and survived through the crisis, becoming stronger to cope with future challenges to share their personal experience. Please take note of the registration procedure in due course.

Through dialogue with family service practitioners, to understand the district profile and service needs and to explore the challenges and opportunities in Yuen Long & Tin Shui Wai, the

Consortium of Institutes on Families in the Asian Region is organizing a local agency visit to the Social Welfare Department Tin Shui Wai Integrated Family Service Centre and Tung Wah Group of

Hospitals Jockey Club Tin Shui Wai Integrated Service Centre. Details of the visit are as following:

29 years old unemployed driver who could not cope with the stress caused by losing job and family problem jumped from height and lost a valuable life.

The First Annual General Meeting was held on 9 February 2009 when members received the

Annual report prepared by the Chairperson, the Treasurer’s report and the Audited Account. The election for the Council also took place during the AGM. Mrs. Patricia CHU, Chairperson of CIFA, acknowledged the generous support given by sponsors to CIFA. She looked forward to continued support from members and sponsors in the coming year. Chairperson’s report will be uploaded onto the CIFA WEP.

The first monthly forum covers the topic of the cause of the financial tsunami and the influence on the social welfare sector. Speakers include Mr. Dominic Ling, Chief Executive Coach, One

Learning Institute, Ms. Agnes Ng, Assistant Director, Christian Family Service Centre and Dr.

Timothy Chan, Business Director, Service Development, Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

In this issue, we profile some of the fine work CIFA members by throwing spotlight on the Sunflower Women Mutual Help Group of Serene Court. The Centre, operated since 1996, provides 24 hours emergency shelter and other support services for women and children suffering from family violence. During their maximum stay of 3 months in the shelter, they are provided with individual counseling, therapeutic groups, referrals, child care service, coaching class for children, interest class, talks and seminars, voluntary services, outdoor activities etc.

The focus is on their safety, physical and emotional needs, and also on empowering them so they recognize their right to protect themselves and regain the ability to rebuild their family life.

On 17th of December 2008, a forum on “Trans-Disciplinary Perspective on Maintenance” was co-organized by the HKUFI and Conflict Resolution Centre (CRC) and funded by the Home Affairs Bureau, HKSAR government. The full day Forum was the first of its kind, where different professionals including family lawyers, social workers, school personnel etc. attended the event, with keynote and panel presentations by experienced speakers covering topics from legal, psychological and social perspective on maintenance.