- 11 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations awarded grants, to strengthen culturally safe service delivery within the Child Protection system
- Grants will support the state-wide establishment of Aboriginal Representative Organisations
- Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation appointed to deliver Home Stretch WA in the Midwest Gascoyne regions
- Progresses a $37.2 million election commitment to deliver Home Stretch WA, a program supporting young people leaving care, which is being rolled out across Western Australia
Child Protection Minister Sabine Winton announced 11Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) have been awarded grants, to support, strengthen and build their capacity, to deliver future Aboriginal Representative Organisations (AROs) services in their local community.
The introduction of AROs, is part of a suite of reforms underway to enable and support child protection processes and decisions, that are culturally informed and safe for Aboriginal people.
Last year, Yorganop Association, and Aarnja Ltd were awarded State Government funding totalling more than $1.3 million, to deliver the AROs Pilot in their respective locations.
The activities funded through this grants program align with the Department of Communities Aboriginal Community Controlled Strategy 2022-2032, and will support ACCOs to build capacity and participate in other child protection procurement processes.
Minister Sabine Winton also travelled to Geraldton during Child Protection Week, to announce that ACCOs Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation (Streeties) has been appointed to deliver the Home Stretch WA program in the Midwest and Gascoyne regions.
The $37.2 million program extends supports to young people leaving out of home care until the age of 21, assisting them as they move towards independence.
Since its inception, Home Stretch WA has supported more than 170 young people and continues to be rolled out across the State.
Assistance provided through Home Stretch WA, includes help with obtaining safe and stable accommodation, enrolling in further education, re-engaging with health services, improving financial skills, connecting to voluntary work opportunities, and identifying where to access support in the local community.
The program also supports carers of the young people who continue living with them, with financial payments to cover expenses such as food, accommodation, and utilities.
More information about the AROs Pilot can be found here:
For more information on Home Stretch WA visit:
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/home-stretch-wa.
Comments attributed to Child Protection Minister Sabine Winton:
"Building the capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, is a priority of the Cook Labor Government.
"Cultural safety within the Child Protection system, is extremely important for the long-term wellbeing of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.
"Appointing ACCOs like Streeties, to deliver Home Stretch WA and Aboriginal Representative Organisations in our regions, improves opportunities for Aboriginal children, young people and families through the delivery of localised services.
"Home Stretch WA is helping to set up young people who have faced significant challenges for success.
