Strengthening Families provides a way for families to get coordinated access to services – the aim is to offer help before a whānau or family has serious problems requiring intensive or statutory intervention. Promoting cooperation between community organisations, social services and government agencies, keeping the whānau or family at the heart of the process. Available for any whānau when more than 1 community support organisation or government service is required – it is free and 100% voluntary. The person or people helping your whānau or family could be a: budget advisor, truancy officer, social worker, medical specialist, counsellor, teacher, other support worker.