What is the service?
The Community Support Service supports Indigenous community members and their families by providing links and referrals to a range of mainstream and Indigenous services which may include welfare and social support, employment, family violence, health (including drug and alcohol services), legal, child care and housing. Services also encourage the development and fostering of relationships with other service providers by promoting access and pathways to their services.
The Community Support Service currently operates through a network of 63 non-Government organisations, in 87 ‘priority locations’, representing more than 140 Indigenous communities across Australia. The locations were selected primarily on the basis of communities with significant Indigenous populations, including locations that were part of the Community Develpoment Employment Program (CDEP) reforms that commenced operating from 1 July 2009. The providers are situated in selected urban and regional locations, including capital cities, major regional centres and some smaller regional communities.
Why is this service being provided?
The Community Support Service aims to build on the successful elements of the former CDEP program by linking Indigenous people and their families to other services and support in their region and to build individual capacity.
The goal of the Community Support Service is to support social inclusion and community cohesion by better linking Indigenous people to the full spectrum of community services. The Community Support Service assists in ‘Closing the Gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by facilitating access to community services and information.
What can you expect from your service provider?
Community Support Service providers are required to assist Indigenous people and their families to access information and referrals to services through a service coordinator providing face to face assistance in a sensitive and welcoming place.
The program will result in increased:
- Referrals to service programs, information and a range of mainstream and Indigenous specific services and
- Use of the Internet and other information.
The Community Support Service aims to support and enhance the development and maintenance of relationships with other service providers and promoting access and pathways to their services.
Selected applicants
On 1 July 2009, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, announced the organisations selected to deliver the Community Support Service.
Organisations received around $150,000 per year, over three years for each location.
The Application Guidelines for the Community Support Service selection process can be obtained at Community Support Service Application Guidelines.
Who is delivering the service and where?
63 organisations are being funded to deliver the Community Support Service across the 87 priority locations/clusters.
The contact details for the 87 Community Support Service locations/ clusters.
Contact Information
Further information about the Community Support Service is available by emailing:
communitysupport@fahcsia.gov.au
A TTY service for people who have a hearing or speech impediment is available via 1800 555 677.