Connecting Through Country and Kinship
A culturally appropriate Intervention Program for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
Culturally Appropriate Care and Placements
Care and Connect Services was established due to a large proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being placed in out-of-home care compared with non-Indigenous children. We have identified a service gap within the investigation stage of care and the urgent need for culturally appropriate care and placements to accommodate our affected communities.
There is a strong focus on ensuring youth:
- remain in the community they have cultural ties with
- have access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
- have access to safe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
Our Focus
Care and Connect Services focuses on The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principles to ensure we find sustainable solutions. The principles are:
- Prevention – a child has the right to be brought up within the child’s own family and community.
- Participation – a child and the child’s parents and family members have the right to participate in an administrative or judicial process for making a significant decision about a child.
- Partnership – Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander peoples have the right to participate in significant decisions under the Child Protection Act 1999 about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children, including the design and delivery of programs and services.
- Placement – a child has a right to be placed with a member of the child’s family group if a child is to be placed in care.
- Connection – a child has a right to be supported to develop and maintain a connection with the child’s family, community, culture, traditions and language.
We endeavour to achieve these principles by providing:
- cultural strategies to support case management
- mentoring and positive role modelling
- skills development in personal and life skills
- linkages to appropriate services and professionals
- kin connection and cultural inclusion for family wellbeing.
Programs We Offer
CULTURAL PLACEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Cultural Placement Support Program is a culturally appropriate Intervention Program which targets young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples involved with the Youth Justice System and/or disengaged from formal education and/or engaging in high risk behaviours.