Our vision beyond the mountains for our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families is:
Healthy and vibrant family who:
Have access to choice and opportunity
Are living throughout our community in healthy and safe environments
Feel a strong sense of identity, connection and community
Are equipped to lead prosperous and productive lives
Are proud of and enriched by their culture
Are in control of their lives
Empowered life that is enriched by dignity and justice sustained by partnership and collaborative action.
Our cultural values reminds us to maintain an expansive, holistic and forward looking view in all that we undertake. It also reminds us of the beauty and abundance of the rich landscape and the multiple pathways, and choices that presents to all of us.
ATSI Community & Kinship Care:
Through our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community and Kinship Care is a way of providing a family life for jarjums (children) who cannot live with their own parents. All over the world, community and kinship families open their hearts to jarjums (children) in need, and share their family life with them.
Community and Kinship care is often used to provide temporary care while parents get help sorting out problems, or to help jarjums or young people through a difficult period in their lives. Often jarjums will return home once the problems that caused them to come into care have been resolved and it is clear that their parents are able to look after them safely. Others may stay in long-term community care, some may be adopted, and others will move on to live independently.
Family Participation Program:
-We ensure that your voice is being heard in child safety and family led meetings
-You are involved in every decision being made about your jarjums and family
-We help you gather the family members and support networks that you want at the table
-We can help you understand what child safety is saying about your family and how they work
-If you choose a family member to be an ‘Independent Person’ for you we can support and train them as your IP
-We can link you in with supports and programs that may be needed for your families plan
-Together we can create a strong and happy home that the family will stay together in
REFOCUS NDIS:
1.Independent Living Skills:
Personal care [support with showering and personal hygiene]
Domestic assistance [cleaning, yard work etc]
Support in organizing and attending medical and allied health appointments
Meal planning, cooking and nutritional guidance, peg feeding
Planning and support to attend personal holiday choices
Support with day to day living skills
Practical skill building activities such as numeracy, literacy and financial management
2.Social & Community Access:
Support to expand social networks and friendship groups
Life and transition planning such as transitioning from school to adulthood
Support to seek volunteering and paid employment opportunities
Connection to other REFOCUS services such as Child & Family Wellbeing activities and Gunyah Of Wellness, Aboriginal Medical Service
Transport and support to attend groups, clubs, social gathering, yarning groups, cultural events
3.Hub Activities:
Kai Kai [cooking] program
Yarning circles
Mothers and babies groups
Support Coordination
4.Support to understand your NDIS plan:
Choices of local suitable service providers
Guidance in getting the most out of your NDIS plan and funds
Support in making your funds last
