Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Services

The Brother to Brother crisis line provides phone support for Aboriginal men who need someone to talk to about relationship issues, family violence, parenting, drug and alcohol issues or who are struggling to cope for other reasons.

The line is staffed by Aboriginal men, including Elders, who have a lived experience in the issues that the line offers support for.

Phone: 1800 435 799

Bunjilwarra Residential Rehabilitation is a 12-bed alcohol and other drugs residential rehabilitation and healing service for Aboriginal young people aged 16-25.

The purpose-built, statewide service is situated on a 1.7 hectare site in Hastings, Mornington Peninsula.

Bunjilwarra’s service model follows the Aboriginal-defined notion of healing in a Cultural framework, supported by trauma-informed practice, adolescent developmental framework, and therapeutic Community and recovery frameworks.

Eligibility and Screening Criteria

To be eligible to attend Bunjilwarra, a young person must:

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent

• Be aged 16-25

• Require treatment to manage their alcohol and/or drug problem

• Be prepared to enter the program voluntarily

Additionally, they must:

• Demonstrate they are ready to address their alcohol and/or drug issues, including willingness to develop and achieve personal goals

• Commit to actively participate in all aspects of the program, particularly group based and one-on-one activities

• Be willing to participate and live in a therapeutic Community environment

Referral Process

To begin the referral process, please contact the Bunjilwarra Intake team at [email protected] or (03) 8658 6440

Djirra is a specialist family violence organisation that delivers culturally informed family violence legal and support services, predominantly for Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander women. Djirra is a safe place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where all our services are about supporting your journey to safety and wellbeing. We recognise that you are the expert in your life. We will listen without judgement, support you to achieve your goals and respect and value your decisions.

What Djirra offer:

• Case management
• AOD support
• Couselling
• Phone support

Location: 292 Hoddle St, Abbotsford 3067

Phone: 1800 105 303

Email: [email protected]

Healthcare that meets the Health and Wellbeing needs of Australian First Peoples.

The First Peoples’ Healing Program supports people aged 16 to 55 who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and/or their immediate family, around concerns related to alcohol and other drugs.

We offer a flexible approach which includes First Peoples’ supports that have been identified within the community – supporting a person’s journey and connection to self, Mob and Country.

This is a wraparound service with a cultural lens that acknowledges each person’s emotional wellbeing and their own personal journey

The First Peoples’ Healing Program is available across the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula areas.

The First Peoples’ Healing Program has been established to improve participants’ experience of care, improve health outcomes and to provide easier access to alcohol and other drug support in the community.

Key focus areas include:

• Culture
• Aboriginal healing practices
• Trauma-informed treatment
• Family-centred therapeutic practices
• Protective factors and support
• Social and cultural determinants of health.

The program will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities by:

• Building an understanding of recovery and harm minimisation
• Facilitating individual and group psychoeducation sessions.
• Providing short-term support to case managers to help community linkage.
• Navigating mainstream services for better awareness and response for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families.

Our mission is to provide short-term wraparound support to coordinate your needs.

Referrals and secondary consultations are available. All referrals will be followed by an assessment that will ensure eligibility criteria are met and will identify the main issues and risks to be addressed.

Please direct your referrals to [email protected] or call us on (03) 9532 0811 indicating you want to refer to the First Peoples’ Healing Program.

The BHN Indigenous Access and Equity Program has evolved over many years. In order to provide health and wellness support to Aboriginal communities, we actively engage in their community and link them to relevant programs.

BHN’s Indigenous Access and Equity Program team provides cultural resources to other staff as well as acting as a contact point for members of the community seeking mainstream services. The program’s success is tied to the fact that Aboriginal people provide services to the Indigenous community and provide a culturally safe environment.

Services:

• Integrated Care Team
• Youth
• Elders
• Women and Children

The Indigenous Access Coordinator can be reached at 132 246 (132 BHN).

Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation (Ngwala) is a State-wide Community Controlled Organisation serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Victoria. We provide Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Recovery, Homelessness programs, Public Intoxication Responses, Counselling, Family Violence support, Youth services and more.

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is a statewide Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) servicing children, young people, families, and community members in Victoria.

VACCA is Victoria’s peak voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. As the largest organisation of its kind, VACCA has protected and promoted the rights of Aboriginal children, young people, families and community since 1977.

Moorumbina Mongurnallin incorporates the Village 21 supported housing concept developed by Kids Under Cover and Anglicare Victoria which is designed to assist young people who are leaving out-of-home care to successfully transition to independence.

Based in Frankston, Moorumbina Mongurnallin is the second Village 21 site and the first Independent Living model specifically adapted to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Six occupants aged from 18 to 21 will receive wrap around supports from a key practitioner as well as access to programs that will strengthen connection to culture, build independent living skills and improve education, employment and long term housing prospects.

This first-of-its-kind housing project has been created in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) and the design has been informed by consultation with local Elders and young First Nations people. Cultural perspectives, insights and protocols are embedded throughout the design and delivery of services for the young adults who will call Moorumbina Mongurnallin home.

Phone: (03) 9429 7444

Freecall: 1800 801 633

Fax: (03) 9429 6299

Email: [email protected]

Postal Address: PO Box 24314, Melbourne, VIC 3001

13YARN is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provide a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns.

If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

This is your story; your journey and we will take the time to listen. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. We’re here for you.

Email: [email protected]

Aboriginal gathering places strengthen communities through sharing cultural heritage, and participation in health, recreation and social activities. They are also a resource for the broader Australian community to learn and connect. Gathering places are established in

• Hastings – Willium Warrain
• Frankston – Nairm Marr Djambana
• Doveton – Casey Aborignal Gathering Place
• Mordialloc – Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place

Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-operative Ltd (DDACL) provides programs and services to meet the needs of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We provide a wide range of health care through our Bunurong Aboriginal Health Service as well as a variety of community programs to promote wellbeing and social engagement.

All of our services have a strong cultural component and we strive to provide a supportive, open and culturally safe environment for Aboriginal people.

Location: 62 Stud Road Dandenong VIC 3175

Phone: +61389029700

Email: [email protected]