Australian Capital Territory
Marymead Child and Family Centre
255 Goyder Street
NARRABUNDAH ACT 2604
PO Box 4260
KINGSTON ACT 2604
Phone: (02) 6162 5800
This project provides support to Indigenous families, parents’ and children, together with advocacy and in-home support where required. Marymead is a mainstream family and children’s centre that also delivers Family Relationship Services Programs (FRSP) and other specialised counselling services. It supports the model of increasing access to mainstream services. The advocacy service involves the support of Indigenous families to other specialised mainstream services, for example, the Family Relationship Centre site.
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New South Wales
Tharawal Indigenous Children’s Project
Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Campbelltown
187 Riverside Drive
AIRDS NSW 2560
PO Box 290
CAMPBELLTOWN NSW 2560
Phone: (02) 4628 4837
This project conducts playgroups and some parenting programs, for example, Bonding with Baby. They also provide a range of early intervention and prevention activities a school breakfast club.
SDN Children's Service
Stepping Stones Project
PO Box 654
BROADWAY NSW 2007
Phone: (02) 9213 2400
This is a TAFE Certificate 1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Playgroup course. The course runs for ten weeks with a 50 hour commitment. The core curriculum includes child development, OH&S (with students achieving a senior first aid certificate), play, relationship building and nutrition (with the possibility of including a food handling certificate).
Gulargambone Indigenous Children Program
MacKillop Rural Community Services
Gulargambone Indigenous Children Programme
PO BOX 4666
DUBBO NSW 2830
Phone: (02) 6882 5949
This program conducts two playgroups per week at the school or park. It develops sound working relationships with other early childhood agencies and the community and encourages these agencies to attend playgroups to link with the Indigineous families. Home visits are conducted to provide activities to children not accessing playgroup and parenting support to Indigenous families. It enhances parenting skills with individual parents in the home and parents attending playgroups. There is participation in networking activities with other agencies and the community. It conducts three “Yarn-Ups’ for Indigenous parents with guest speakers to assist with parenting skills. It cooridnates a Fun Day in the Park with all Early Childhood Services for Indigenous families in the community.
Family Support Workers Project (Strengthen our Families)
Yoorana Gunyah Family Violence and Healing Centre Aboriginal Corporation
PO Box 802
FORBES NSW 2871
Phone: (02) 6851 5111
This service has a male mentoring service in the school and runs a men’s group. The service also runs an Aboriginal Family Health and Safety Education Program and involves sessions on drug and alcohol, family violence, sexual assault, sexual health awareness and legal advice. They also run a homework program, sport and recreation program and a basic childcare course for young mothers.
Aboriginal Family Wellbeing Project, Positive Parenting Program
Gurehigam Corporation Limited
PO Box 1676
GRAFTON NSW 2460
Phone: (02) 6642 8677
Provides family wellbeing workshops, a Family Court Partnership program and a Real Relationships course. The Real Relationships course aims to help parents and caregivers obtain a better understanding of where their anger comes from and to provide them with skills that allow them to have better relationships. It also includes living skills and housing assistance, for example, budgeting skills. Dance and music classes in primary schools use Real Relationships Course tools to understand the impact of violence. It involves children, parents and teachers.
Koti Bula Umullan Project
Newcastle Family Support Services Inc
558 Hunter Street
NEWCASTLE WEST NSW 2302
Phone: (02) 4926 3577
Koti Bula provides intensive support to families through counselling services, house visits, supported playgroup during school term for children aged 0-5 and joint activities with local Indigenous agencies are also provided.
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Northern Territory
Tangentyere Council
PO Box 8070
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871
Phone: (08) 8951 4222
Provides parenting advice and support, counselling, and family care services to Indigenous children and families. Assists in joint case management with service providers in Alice Springs. A referrals service to support families is provided where intervention strategies have been unsuccessful.
Parenting is Caring for Kids
Council for Aboriginal Alcohol Program Services Inc CAAPS
60 Boulter Road
RMB 22
BERRIMAH NT 0828
Phone: (08) 8922 4800
Toll Free: 1800 894 800
Provides a holistic approach to early intervention and prevention services. Education sessions are run on substance misuse and the effects on family and community. Education on the kinship system covers traditional parenting roles and responsibilities. To strengthen culture, kinship and develop relationships, children with their families are involved in story telling, music, campfires, cooking, art, craft and gardening activities.
Yalu' Marnggithinyaraw
East Arnhem Shire Council (formerly Galiwinku)
GPO Box 4246
DARWIN NT 0801
Phone: (08) 8987 0521
Provides a holistic approach to early intervention and prevention services. Runs family relationship workshops and family disputes mediation. Provides training for staff and community members in child abuse prevention and protection, parental support and education on family responsibility.
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Queensland
Strengthening Kalwun Jarjums
Kalwun Development Corporation Limited
PO Box 2123
NERANG QLD 4220 QLD 4220
Phone: (07) 5520 8600
Runs three parenting programs: the Mums and Kids group, the Women's Circle and one to one support – home visiting service.
Stronger Indigenous Families Project
Kummara Association Inc
221 Boundry Street
PO Box 5465
WEST END QLD 4101
Phone: (07) 3844 0185
This project provides case management for families, facilitates a parent group, playgroup and family activities to build family stability. Advocacy, information and referrals are provided to assist families with issues. It offers family support through a child care program at Koolyangarra ELC. It also participates in a number of community cultural strengthening projects.
Aboriginal and Islander Development and Recreation Women's Association Mountt Isa District
PO Box 938
MT ISA QLD 4825
Phone: (07) 4743 0440
This group provides a playgroup with formal and informal parenting sessions. One to one support, referrals to counselling and support services for families is also provided.
Caboolture Indigenous Children Agreement
Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland
14 Edmondstone Street
NEWMARKET QLD 4051
Phone: (07) 3552 5333
This group is involved in building partnerships with other departments and service providers like the North Murri Regional Network Meeting, Community Health, Caboolture Domestic Violence and Queensland Health. It delivers the Five Faces of Parenting program, home visits, enhancing home-visit database and support visits using culturally appropriate resources. It links with the Child Care Links program and the Kindergarten and Pre-Prep School program.
Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service
PO Box 7594
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4814
Phone: (07) 4759 4027
This service runs an Indigenous parenting program, home visits and referrals to support services. It also runs intervention programs for disadvantaged indigenous school children.
Yabagar Project
Murri and Torres Strait Islander Network Inc
PO Box 312
WOODRIDGE QLD 4114
Phone/ Fax: (07) 3209 4220
This project provides a homework program, healthy cooking sessions, a women’s group, family days, mother and daughter self-esteem workshops, uncle, nephews and father-son days. In addition, a men’s group has been established and is networking with other groups in the region. Future camping trips and family days are planned. A number of successful cultural strengthening activities have been provided under the family days activities.
Koobara Aboriginal and Islander Family Resource Centre Inc
PO Box 247
ZILLMERE QLD 4034
Phone: (07) 3265 7171
This Centre operates three playgroups at Zillmere, Arana Hills and Bracken Ridge. Three new playgroups will be established before June 2009. Activities such as Teaching Health Playing Principles, Children’s Cultural Day, Baby/Young Expo (dealing with all issues from 0-8 years) are also delivered.
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South Australia
Aboriginal Family Support Services Inc
134 Waymouth St
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8212 1112
This service runs a series of early intervention and prevention activities including parenting, playtime (parents & children), homemaker and baby bonding programs and a family referral and advocacy service. The advocacy service represents SA Aboriginal community issues relating to the care and wellbeing of children on a State and Federal level. The project’s services have evolved from a crisis response basis to a more early intervention model with parenting and child rearing programs. The homemaker program includes home visiting to support parents with hygiene, financial management, nutrition and cooking, health etc issues. The service also builds and maintains networks and partnerships to strengthen service delivery in the area.
Mentor Project
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (Murray Bridge ADAC)
124 Adelaide Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Phone: (08) 8362 0395
This program provides family support through home visits and individual assistance. It also facilitates access to parenting programs and runs a grandparents group 'We are Family'. A number of community building events are also held to support families and build on cultural community strengths. The project networks with other Aboriginal service providers to strengthen service delivery. It also supports, and is supported by, an Aboriginal Elders Program.
Karpandi Women and Children’s Centre
Baptist Care (SA) Inc
35 King William Road
UNLEY SA 5061
Phone: 0413 701 088
Runs an Indigenous parenting support service for women and children in crisis. Provides a playgroup and women's support programs which focus on parenting. Also provides individual casework, advocacy and referrals services.
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Tasmania
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation
PO Box 355
SMITHTON TAS 7330
Phone: (03) 6452 1287
This group provides counselling and support services for families, case managmeent, cultural art workshops and a family relationship program.
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Victoria
Northern District Community Health Service
98 Nolan Street
PO Box 523
KERANG VIC 3579
Phone: (03) 5452 2700
The Kethawil Pembengguk – Many Children project is based on an outreach model with two core components. These are intense ‘in home’ support to family members and kinship groups to address specific parenting needs as they arise and to facilitate referral to local specialist services, and the development of group work strategies within the local Indigenous community. Building on existing successful strategies, the project engages community members and addresses common parenting themes as they emerge. There is a specific focus on engaging men. Culturally appropriate activitiesalso occur such as visits to important cultural places and story telling by Elders. Reclaim community activities such as visits to local library, park and other community facilities. Pre-school preparation includes visits to pre-school with parents. A home visiting service is also provided.
Searching
Mildura Aboriginal Corporation
120 Madden Ave
PO Box 2130
MILDURA VIC 3502
Phone: (03) 5022 1852
This is a program in which parents participate in a range of activities designed to enhance their parenting and life skills. Activities include: learning about child development; children’s milestones and how to engage with young children; cooking and shopping for healthy family meals; assistance with linking to pre-school; and other services
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-op Ltd
PO Box 614
MOOROOPNA VIC 3629
Phone: (03) 5825 2333
The program at Rumbalara uses Co-op staff and parent mentors to deliver a range of activities designed to build culturally strong parenting skills and support for families, improve nutrition and encourage a healthier lifestyle. It also increases cultural knowledge and networking relationships and builds parents /carers capacity in education. Parents and carers have been actively involved with the ongoing lunch program, which has educated them on the importance of nutritional needs for their families and especially school lunches. Sessions on meditation and alternative strategies for dealing with children’s behaviours have been well-attended by parents and carers. Invited speakers from other agencies and visits to services such as Centrelink have helped participants gain the confidence to approach a wider range of services.
Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation (formerly Quantum Support Service)
PO Box 1240
SALE VIC 3850
Phone: (03) 5143 1644 or (03) 5144 6511
The weekly parenting group enables vulnerable parents and kinship carers to access health and parenting information in an informal setting. The service provides educational and learning opportunities for the children of parents and carers whilst they are attending the parenting support group. Other learning activities include playgroup, living skills and cooking. The program also conducts a teenage pregnancy prevention program.
Early Intervention Project
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Cooperative Limited (VACCA)
PO Box 494
NORTHCOTE VIC 3070
Phone: (03) 8388 1855
This project provides four weekly supported playgroups in Melbourne and one in Swan Hill. The playgroups incorporate culturally appropriate activities and provide pre-school and parenting and communication skill development. Playgroup workers provide outreach support services to families. VACCA works with other agencies to promote, support and develop understanding of within mainstream organisations of working with Indigenous people. VACCA also works within Indigenous organisations to develop and enhance understanding of how communities can be child safe and friendly.
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Western Australia
Kulungas Playgroup Project
Patricia Giles Centre Inc
PO Box 25
JOONDALUP WA 6919
Phone: (08) 9300 0340
The Patricia Giles Centre runs a playgroup for Indigenous families in the Wanneroo and Joondalup region. The playgroups receive support through the Coorrt Coolong program. The Coorrt Coolong program is an Aboriginal early support service for families with children aged 0-3.
Djooraminda Indigenous Children
Centrecare Corporate
456 Hay St
PERTH WA 6006
Phone: (08) 9325 6644
The group provides outreach services and support for children and families and runs the Gurlongga Art and Play therapy program, which is used to support and assist children's behaviour issues, particularly those with grief and loss issues. A children's cultural camp is run to strengthen and build cultural ties.
Balang Djidara
Provides culturally appropriate parenting training to young parents in an area that has a high percentage of young Indigenous parents. Provides childcare services and a parenting information support through a newsletter to the wider community.
Wiluna Early Childhood and Parenting Project
Ngangganawili Aboriginal Medical Service
1462 Thompson Street
PO Box 40
WILUNA WA 6646
Phone: (08) 9981 7063
Provides a number of workshops to assist families, including a traditional parenting workshops run by Elders. Parenting and early childhood training is also provided. Playgroups are held with the involvement of the elders and young families. Inter-agency meetings are held with key stakeholders to assist in better coordinated and targeted services for children and families in the Wiluna area.
Yalgoo Healthy Community Project
Shire of Yalgoo
PO Box 40
YALGOO WA 6635
Phone: (08) 9962 8042
The project runs of variety of activities to create opportunities for parents to engage with their children in culturally positive and strengthening experiences. A number of social events are run for families in which to participate including playgroups.
Parents in Tune with Education
Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre
24-28 Gregory Street
GERALDTON WA 6530
Phone: (08) 9921 4477
The centre provides parental workshops designed to give parents skills to support their children’s education. Improving attendance of children and providing professional support, networking and mentoring opportunities.
Great Kids in Great Southern
Wanslea Family Services Inc
PO Box 5023
ALBANY WA 6330
Phone: (08) 9842 9998
This organisation provides weekly group sessions (3 hrs each) to include variety of activities – Healthy Body & Healthy Mind, Culture, Self Esteem and Identity, Early Childhood Learning and Play and Learning Respect and Communication.
Ngala Community Services Inc
9 George Street
KENSINGTON WA 6151
Phone: (08) 9368 9368
This community service provides babies’ and children’s care, health and nutrition, positive parenting skills, early learning literacy and education, knowledge about child development, and building children’s self esteem.
City of Armadale
Locked Bag No 2
ARMADALE WA 6992
Ph: (08) 9399 0111
Activities provided include immunisation clinics, healthy eating, school holiday programs, exercise programs for parents, early literacy, reading programs, playgroup and grandparents’ playgroup, drop-in day, protective behaviours and other programs responding to local needs.