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Here, you will find an explanation of the various government-funded programs Better Together delivers to the community. Available brochures, Children’s Contact Centre Intake Form and our Referral Form are also available here.
Tertiary Family Support (TFS) is a free service funded by the Department of Child Safety where practitioners work with families subject to ongoing intervention, whether the children are in out-of-home care or remain living with their parents under a Child Protection Order (CPO). TFS assists families to address concerns impacting on their ability to meet their children’s care and protective needs. TFS provides interventions to parents which assists them to build their capacity to provide safe, nurturing and stable home environments.
Eligibility
The Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women are the only entity able to refer to the TFS program. If you believe a family may benefit from this service, please encourage them to speak with their Child Safety Officer or contact their relevant Child Safety Service Centre.
How can Tertiary FamilySupport (TFS) help?
Referral
The TFS referral form is a government department form managed by each respective Child Safety Service Centre. Please consult with the relevant CSSC to ensure the currency of the referral. This program does not have a brochure as it is a specialist service.
Intensive Family Support (IFS) is a free service funded by the Department of Child Safety which provides case management support to families with multiple and complex needs. IFS provides outreach services to families with unborn children to 18 years of age. This program is aimed at developing parental capacity to enhance the safety and protection of children, subsequently reducing their risk of statutory child protection involvement.
The aim is to prevent family issues escalating to crisis point by supporting families to improve relationships, parenting knowledge, skills and capabilities, family resilience and access to community resources.
Families can self-refer, be referred by other government agencies and non-government organisations with family consent or be referred by Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women or other prescribed entities without family knowledge or consent.
Eligibility
In addition to the above, a condition of eligibility is that the family are currently not subject to ongoing intervention with the Department of Child Safety, Youth, or Women.
How can Intensive Family Support (IFS) help?
Referral
If you are a service provider interested in referring a family you can find our referral form here. A PDF copy of our brochure can be downloaded here.
The Youth Alcohol and Other Drugs Care Coordination (YAODCC) program is a free service which provides case management support for young people aged 12-25 who misuse substances and have complex needs. Through the adoption of a case management model, practitioners support the young person to access relevant services reflective of their individual rehabilitative and reintegrative needs.
Eligibility
Young people aged between 12-25 years of age impacted by substance misuse who present with complex issues.
How can Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Care Coordination (YAODCC) help?
Referral
Please utilise Better Together’s Referral Form to complete this referral. This program does not have a specific brochure.
The Drug and Alcohol (D&A) Counselling Program is a free service funded to support members of our community who are experiencing difficulties from their use of alcohol or other drugs, as well as providing support to people who are affected by a family member’s alcohol or drug use. Psychologists collaboratively plan therapy with their clients which aims to help understand the reasons behind problematic drug or alcohol use, while assisting clients to develop alternative coping skills. Our team of clinicians work within a harm minimisation and a trauma-informed framework.
Eligibility
Any member of our community experiencing substance misuse, or being impacted by a family member’s substance misuse, is eligible to access a clinician under the D&A Counselling Program.
A Mental Health Care Plan from a GP is not required.
Referral
Please utilise Better Together’s Referral Form to complete this referral.
The Youth Drug and Alcohol (YAOD) Counselling Program is a free service which supports young people in our community who are experiencing difficulties with their own substance use.
Our clinicians provide collaboratively planned therapeutic interventions aimed at helping understand the reasons behind problematic drug or alcohol use and to help clients develop alternative coping skills, utilising a harm minimisation and a trauma-informed practice framework.
Eligibility
Any member of our community aged 12-25 that is experiencing substance misuse.
A Mental Health Care Plan from a GP is not required.
Referral
Please utilise Better Together’s Referral Form to complete this referral.
The Family Support Program (FSP) is a free program funded by the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs. The program provides psychological services and counselling to families who are experiencing difficulties, which affect their psychological health or wellbeing.
The FSP program is mainly delivered at Better Together’s Robert St Centre, but is also provided in Mareeba and Ravenshoe.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this program the referred person must be:
A Mental Health Care Plan from a GP is not required for this program.
Referral
Please utilise Better Together’s Referral Form to complete this referral.
Better Together Children’s Contact Centre provides a safe environment for contact arrangements between children and their parents experiencing separation in the Atherton Tablelands.
Centre services:
Eligibility
To access the Better Together Children’s Contact Centre parents and caregivers can be referred by the Family Law Court, Solicitors, Support
Services or Parents and Care-givers.
Both parties of the family unit are to contact the Centre prior to any services that can be provided to a child and their caregivers.
Referral
Please complete Better Together’s Children’s Contact Centre Intake Form to complete this referral.
For more information click here
We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which Better Together Community Support operates, being Tablelands Yidinji, Dulabed Malanbarra, Mamu, Jirrbal, Ngadjon-jii, Bar-Barrum, Warrungnu, Ewamian, Tagalaka and Koko Muluridji. We recognise the continuing connection to land, waters, cultures and kin that our Traditional Owners uphold. We pay our respect to Elders past and present, who give us strength, inspiration and guidance to deliver great outcomes for all Tablelanders.
