New services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families begin rolling out

The Palaszczuk Government’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Services will roll out in the South Burnett, Moreton Bay, Mackay and Roma from today, creating 38 new jobs for regional Queenslanders.

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman today announced the winning tenders who will deliver culturally-appropriate, community-driven support for families and keep kids safe.

“This is part of a total package of $150 million across the state for new community-run services to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander families and communities,” she said.

“We know the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in contact with the child protection system continues to grow and we’re committed to addressing this issue in partnership with Indigenous communities.

“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Program forms part of a broader suite of reforms aimed at reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in the child protection system.

“We expect the new services will be up and running in these areas as early as next month.”

The successful providers of these services are:

• South Burnett – Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Services
• Moreton Bay area – Institute of Urban Indigenous Health
• Mackay – Girudala Community Co-operative Society
• Roma (along with Charleville, St George and Cunnamulla) – Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co

Ms Fentiman said more wellbeing services across the state would open their doors in early 2017.

“By 2018, we aim to have these services offering more than 6000 families a coordinated approach to help them address multiple levels of need, and build family and community capacity,” she said.

The Palaszczuk Government has worked in partnership with key stakeholders, including the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP), to capture the voices of community, children, families and Indigenous service providers to design the new integrated wellbeing service.

“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Program is a direct reflection of the extensive consultation process we have undertaken to ensure these services best meet the needs of local communities and families,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We will continue to work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector and community to continue to improve access to culturally-appropriate support for vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

“These services will contribute to healing the significant harm that has been caused by government practices in the past.”

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