Mission Australia

Communities for Children (CfC) Queensland

Communities for Children (CfC) Cairns
CfC supports children and families in the Cairns southern corridor (from Woree to Gordonvale) and the Aboriginal Shire of Yarrabah through a range of activities, including:

• Family support programs
• Universal parenting groups
• After-school programs 
• Child development educational programs
• School-based programs to engage the community.

For more information on the CfC Cairns program, contact us via the details below:

CfC Cairns
38 Sturt St
Bungalow, QLD 4870
P: (07) 4051 6560

Communities for Children (CfC) Inala to Goodna
The Inala to Goodna CfC initiative works with community, government and business sectors to develop partnerships and build on community strengths, cultural diversity and community assets. CfC offers a integrated individual/family and community services.

The initiative establishes activities that create child-friendly and child-safe communities capable of fostering and enhancing learning and literacy skills, plus strengthening the health and wellbeing of children and families.

Services are delivered in Inala, Durack, Richlands, Carole Park, Wacol, Gailes and Goodna. Programs included

• Kidz Bizz (0-18months)
• Parents of Primary Schoolers (POPS)
• Jarjums playgroup (0-5 years)
• Skills building and personal development programs
• Family support workers

A For more information on the CfC Inala to Goodna program, contact us via the details below:

CfC Inala to Goodna
37 Kulgun Circuit
Inala, QLD 4077
P: (07) 3372 7105

Community Connections (NSW)

Homelessness is a growing problem in south-eastern NSW, largely due to the impact of years of drought and a lack of housing in this part of the state. Community Connections aims to address this problem.

This program forms part of the NSW Homelessness Action Plan (HAP) – a plan that sets the direction for reforming the state’s homelessness service system in order to achieve better outcomes for people in need.

Operated by Mission Australia in the state’s south-east, the Community Connections program has been designed to support people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, including Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. It aims to assist:

• People in crisis and at imminent risk of homelessness
• People who are experiencing domestic violence and are at risk of homelessness as a result
• People who reside in South East NSW, (encompassing the local Government areas of Young, Upper Lachlan, Yass Valley, Goulburn, Mulwaree, Greater Queanbeyan City, Pelarang, Cooma-Monaro, Eurobodalla, Snowy River, Bombala, Bega Valley and Boorowa Harden).

The program integrates the homelessness and mainstream service system by providing interagency supports to clients and allocating funding based on client needs identified in an interagency case management plan.

Early intervention 

Community Connections assists single adults, families or young people who are:

• Not currently in supported accommodation
• Who are at risk of homelessness.
• Who may be disengaged or at risk of disengaging from family, school, education, training or employment.

Social housing intensive support packages

Supports singles, families with accompanying children experiencing primary Homelessness and who are or may be:

• Repeat users of crisis accommodation services or At risk of homelessness or
• Experiencing complex issues including, but not limited to, alcohol and other drugs, mental health including self-harm, intellectual or cognitive disability and challenging behaviour.

If you or someone you know in the south-east of NSW is homeless or at risk of homelessness, please call (02) 4422 0455 or (02) 4824 4000.

For more information contact Mission Australia New South Wales.

Michael’s Intensive Supported Housing Accord Service (MISHA) (NSW)

Known as MISHA, Michael’s Intensive Supported Housing Accord Service is an integrated program for homeless men in Sydney’s west.

This initiative provides long-term stable accommodation while supporting the men to build the lives they would like to live.

Based in Parramatta, MISHA follows on from The Michael Project – a three-year initiative that aimed to improve the social inclusion of homeless men through intensive case management and wrap-around support services.

Results from this project, which ended in late 2010, will provide evidence for policies and programs for many years to come.

Further funding from The Michael Project’s generous benefactor is now enabling Mission Australia and its partners to progress to the next chapter through MISHA implementing a ‘housing-first’ approach.

MISHA began in late 2010 and will operate for a pilot period of three years. Working in partnership with Community Housing organisations, MISHA case managers, a psychologist and outreach engagement worker support chronically homeless men to achieve housing stability and gain the skills and confidence to successfully live within the community.

It is hoped that the research project commissioned to evaluate the MISHA service model will make a significant contribution to the evidence base and inform government policy in the housing and homelessness fields.

The first research findings, the How homeless men are faring: Baseline report from MISHA - 2012, are based on 75 men who were surveyed on entering the service. The report reveals that 20 per cent screened positive for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is four times higher than Australia’s mainstream male population. Download the baseline report to learn more.
 

Further reading

More information

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Pathways to Employment Program

Developed by a consortium of employment, community and training services specialists, the Pathways to Employment Program is designed to address the non-vocational barriers faced by job seekers in their endeavour to gain sustainable long term employment.

For many, social and financial problems, life trauma, addiction, homelessness and mental illness all present barriers to taking positive steps towards an independent life.

The Pathways to Employment Program helps clients overcome their circumstances with practical knowledge and personal awareness strategies.

The program material is based on applied understandings from contemporary cognitive behavioural theories, and empowers participants to engage more confidently in the job market.

Program modules include:

• Access to Community Services
• Accommodation
• Personal Awareness & Self Discovery
• Health & Wellbeing
• Money Matters
• Dealing with Stress
• Maximise Your Time
• Communication & Teamwork
• Motivation & Goal Setting
• Positive Parenting

Program theory
The program is based on a cognitive behavioural model and incorporates aspects of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  This theory was used to underpin the development of the program content and advocates that only when the physiological and safety needs of an individual are met can they focus on addressing and developing the skills necessary to pursue and achieve financial, emotional and social independence.

This is often measured by an individual attaining sustainable employment and according to Maslow, only when the individual has achieved this, can he/she focus on actively participating and contributing to society.

Program Structure
Each of the 10 subject specific modules can be delivered as a whole program or individually according to your client needs. The sessions are designed for on-site delivery in 2-3 hour blocks and all learning activities are contextualised for potential employment outcomes.

Facilitated in a non-threatening workshop environment by fully qualified and experienced facilitators, the material includes instructions on how to navigate the workbooks, a number of activities and skills practice sessions and additional resources and activities for our job seeker to complete once program has finished.

Our staff will work collaboratively with you to ensure the full benefit of the program is achieved by your client.

Program Advantages
A contribution of between 20 to 40 hours towards the Work Experience Phase requirements of job seekers. Flexible delivery which can be delivered concurrently with other interventions which address vocational barriers. The 10 modules can be delivered as a whole program or individually according to your client group needs.

Program Fees
Our program team is ready to discuss any training needs of your organisation.  Please contact our Program Coordinator to discuss fees and a program structure that suits your client needs on 03 8615 2278 or 1300 613 855. 

For discounted trial offers, licensing arrangements and other business options please contact our Transitions to Work Manager via our national hotline: 1300 613 855.