New Program Helps Indigenous Families Stay Together

A new program in New South Wales is helping Indigenous families stay together by providing them with the support they need to care for their children.

The program, run by the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, has already helped many families, including Tarnika Steward's, who was at risk of losing her child to child protection services.

Tarnika's life was turned around when she got treatment for her addiction and connected with the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, which offers women's groups, camps, and parenting programs.

Now, her child protection services file has been closed, and she has found secure housing for herself and her son.

The Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation has a team of caseworkers who work with parents to prevent their children from being taken into foster care.

The corporation's team will soon double in size thanks to a $350 million investment by the state government.

This investment will also see the program rolled out to more than 20 other Aboriginal community-controlled organizations across the state.

The program aims to provide over 4,000 at-risk families with access to therapeutic services and other support.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington says the new program will fill a gap in services for Aboriginal families.

The program was co-designed with Aboriginal families, communities, and stakeholders to ensure it meets their needs.

The new services will start in July, and 30 organizations will receive funding to support non-Indigenous families.

The program comes as the child protection system is under scrutiny, with a review looking into why two foster children were living with a triple killer.

Advocates have long called for more funding to address the high rates of Indigenous child removals.

In New South Wales, Indigenous children make up over 46% of children in out-of-home care.

Data shows that Indigenous children are more than 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children.

Kim Bell, who manages the family preservation program at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, says the extra funding will enable her team to support more families.

The funding will go towards hiring more caseworkers and program officers to run parenting programs and women's healing groups.

Kim Bell believes that pouring more money into family support programs will help prevent another 'stolen generation'.

After getting her life back on track, Tarnika Steward has maintained a strong connection with the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation.

She is now feeling more positive about the future and is grateful to be a mum to her son and to have more contact with her other children.

The program has helped Tarnika to heal and reconnect with her family.

The Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation is based in Sydney's south-west and has been working to support Indigenous families for many years.

The corporation's work is crucial in helping to address the high rates of Indigenous child removals.

The new program is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to support Indigenous families.

The state government's investment in the program is a significant step towards addressing the issue.

The program will help to provide Indigenous families with the support they need to care for their children.

It will also help to reduce the number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.

The Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation's program is an example of a successful community-led initiative.

The program's success is due to its community-led approach and its focus on supporting Indigenous families.

The program has helped many families, including Tarnika's, to stay together and to thrive.

The Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation's work is essential in helping to address the high rates of Indigenous child removals.

The corporation's program is a model for other community-led initiatives.

The program's focus on supporting Indigenous families and providing them with the resources they need is crucial.

The state government's investment in the program is a significant step towards addressing the issue of Indigenous child removals.

The program will help to provide Indigenous families with the support they need to care for their children and to stay together.

The Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation's program is an example of a successful community-led initiative that is making a real difference in the lives of Indigenous families.

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