Mt Isa, Queensland.

The service is provided by two Field Co-ordinators and one part time Resource Officer based in Mount Isa, covering the surrounding region. The Remote Area Families Service (RAFS) was developed from a scheme initiated by the Queensland Country Women's Association in 1979 when Mount Isa was the first RAFS established.

The aim of the service was to meet the needs of families living in remote and isolated areas particularly focusing on Early Childhood Development, the service was innovative and flexible and responded to the special needs of rural families. The service provides support to parents with the early childhood and social development of their children and provides information concerning a range of issues important to families, such as health, education and community welfare.

RAFS responds to the particular needs of people living in very differing situations throughout remote Queensland. The services include home visits to isolated families wherever they may live within the RAFS boundaries, advice and support in the area of Early Childhood Development, bringing local families together by organising playgroups, guidance and direction in approaching professionals for family-related matters and producing a quarterly newsletter for all families in the RAFS area.

Mt Isa RAFS services the needs not only of the Mount Isa region but also of the Barkly Tableland.