Services provided to citizens by a local government that may include police, fire, hospital, schools, trash removal, water treatment, recycling, etc. These services are paid for by local taxes and user fees. - http://www.dnr.state.md.us/education/growfromhere/GLOSSARY.HTM

Some Relevant Government Departments and Services within the Community Services Industry:

• • New South Wales Government Department of Community Services (DoCS) promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and works to build stronger families and communities. We provide child protection services, parenting support and early intervention, foster care, adoption services and help for communities affected by disaster. - http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/DOCS/HOMEPAGE/HOME.htm
• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) is responsible for social policies and support affecting Australian society and the living standards of Australian families. - http://www.facsia.gov.au/
• Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) is the national peak body in Australia representing over 1,200 church and charitable and community based organisations providing accommodation and care services to over 450,000 older people, people with a disability and their carers.

With the population living longer and increased community expectations for a wider range of quality services, the aged and community care sector is facing greater challenges than ever before. At the turn of the nineteenth century, people aged 65 years and over in Australia represented just 4% of Australia’s total population. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that in 30 years time those aged 65 and over will represent over 21% of the population and by 2051 they could represent a quarter of the population.

The aged and community care industry includes nursing homes, hostels, care package providers, home care and nursing services, retirement villages, independent living units and seniors’ housing. The provision of community care services generally includes services to younger people with disabilities as well as older people. Some services are provided specifically for the carers of older people or younger people with a disability. ACSA represents approximately two thirds of the aged care industry. ACSA is the only aged care peak body which broadly represents the community care sector. Community care is the clear preference of most consumers and the Australian public generally. It is growing and expanding and will be a major force into the future.

http://www.agedcare.org.au/About_Us/About_ACSA.htm

http://www.skillsinfo.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/3FCAEB19-133D-409F-859B-C9FD60F9F49C/0/HealthandCommunityServices.pdf