A new “wellbeing service” will start operating in Cherbourg soon, part of a $150 million package announced by the State Government.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Services will be operated by the existing Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Services (better known as CRAICCHS).
Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said the service would deliver culturally appropriate, community-driven support for families and help to keep children safe.
“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,” Ms Fentiman said.
“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.”
The other three successful tenderers named on Thursday are the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (Moreton Bay), Girudala Community Co-operative Society (Mackay), and Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co (Roma, Charleville, St George and Cunnamulla).
Ms Fentiman said more wellbeing services across the State would open their doors early next year.
“By 2018, we aim to have these services offering more than 6000 families a co-ordinated approach to help them address multiple levels of need, and build family and community capacity,” she said.
