Intensive Family Services (IFS) is an initiative delivered in partnership between the Department of Human Services, Child First sites and local family services programs.

IFS provides an alternative pathway for families, professionals and members of the community who may be considering making a statutory report due to their level of concern for children within the community. The IFS team works with the most vulnerable families in an effort to recognise trauma and it's impact on parenting while at the same time providing families the chance to work through the issues which hinder their ability to make change.

Whilst we know that the optimum environment for children to thrive, learn and grow is within their family - families cannot do this without the support of communities and the value community brings to childrens lives. Hence, IFS provides a range of interventions which aim to balance the issues which need to be managed with in families alongside engaging families with their communities.

The programs area available in the following locations:

• Greater Gra,pians (City of Ballarat, Shires of Moorabool, and Golden Plains)
• Mildura City

IFS can only be accessed via Child First central intake points:

• Ballarat - CHILD FIRST 1300 783 341
• Mildura - CHILD FIRST 1300 625 533

Links:

• Children, Youth & Families Act 2005
• A strategic framework for family services 2007
• Best Interest case practice model summary guide 2008
• local shell agreement 2009

Youth Transition Support Initiative

The Youth Transition Support Initiative assists young people aged 15-19 to return to or commence Education, Training and or Employment.

Program Information
The Youth Transition Support Initiative's aim is to:

• Provide an holistic approach to young people who have not completed year 12 or equivalent,
• Are employed less than 15 hours a week
• Not in education or training
• To gain entry into education, employment or Training.

The Youth Transition Support Initiative allows participants to choose the skill area that they would like to succeed in. In conjunction with a support worker the participant will develop a supported action plan aimed at achieving desired goal(s). The action plan can help young people address barriers that may be affecting their ability to attain an education, employment or training option.

Availability
Monday to Friday 9.00 - 5.00

Location

Ballarat district and surrounding areas bounded by Daylesford, Bacchus Marsh and Beaufort
4 - 6 Peel St North, Ballarat VIC 3350
Phone: 03 5337 8999
Fax: 03 5332 4465

Referral Process
Youth Transitions staff can be contacted directly.
Email us: ytsi@centacareballarat.org.au

Start Over

Start Over: Reducing youth offending through diversion.
This is a voluntary program that assists young people to identify and address behaviours, attitudes, personal and family circumstances that contributed to behaviours and actions that have lead or may lead to contact with Police.

Program information
Start Over delivers a coordinated and comprehensive program of supports to young people to assist them to break the cycle of behaviours and actions that have placed them at risk of becoming persistent offenders. The program utilises referral and advocacy to access services, coordinate supports and collaborate with schools and services to ensure consistent and focused support to the young person and their families as well as provide intensive case management and support for high risk participants.

Target Group
Young people aged between 10-18 years who have been officially processed by police, are at risk of becoming a persistent offender or who are exhibiting early offending behaviours. They must be willing to actively participate in the Start Over program and cooperate with workers.

Availability
Monday to Friday 9.00 - 5.00

Location
4 - 6 Peel St North, Ballarat VIC 3350
Phone: 03 5337 8999
Fax: 03 5332 4465

Referral Process
Young people can be referred to Start Over by the Police, schools, other community agencies, a family member or they may make a referral themselves. Police are the primary referrers and all other referrals received are secondary referrals. Centacare Start Over program staff will check program eligibility on referral.

Youth Justice Community Support Service

The Youth Justice Community Support Service (YJCSS) is an integrated approach to the provision of intensive support and services to Youth Justice clients to complement the statutory case management undertaken by Youth Justice units. The service has been developed recognizing that Youth Justice clients present with a range of complex and varied needs that require an individualized service response. The YJCSS has recognized the need for a more individualized program that will better suit the needs of Youth Justice clients. These programs include an independent living skills program and a Literacy/Numeracy tutoring program that is tailored to suit the individual needs of each Youth Justice client.

Objectives

• Contribute to reduce the rate, severity, and frequency of offending behaviour.
• Enable the effective transition of young people from intensive tertiary services to their community, particularly post Youth Justice involvement.
• Assist in the development of independent living skills, increased capacity for social inclusion and resilience for adulthood.
• Assist in the development of a young person's capacity for economic participation and engagement in education, training and employment opportunities.

Target Group
Intensive YJCSS:this is an intensive service to support Youth Justice case management primarily for young people assessed as requiring a high to intensive level of intervention. This includes Youth Justice clients on community based orders and those exiting custody requiring post release support. Youth Justice regions may also determine that pre-sentence clients may be appropriate to be referred to the YJCSS due to their unique needs and lack of alternative support options.

Transitional Housing Support: this group includes Youth Justice clients assessed as eligible for transitional housing and support as part of the Transitional Housing Management Youth Justice Housing Pathways Initiative. The primary target group for this initiative is young people aged 17 and over leaving Youth Justice centres on parole. To be eligible, young people must have a history of homelessness and/or be at risk of homelessness.

Referral Process
Referrals to the YJCSS are initiated by the regional Youth Justice worker as part of the case planning process and upon exiting a custodial facility, as part of the parole planning process. All referrals to the YJCSS must be endorsed by the relevant regional Youth Justice Manager before proceeding.

Availability
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Location
Ballarat
4 - 6 Peel Street
Phone: 03 5337 8999
Fax: 03 5332 4465

Youth Justice Group Conferencing

Youth Justice Group Conferencing is a case conferencing program for young people who have been found guilty or have pleaded guilty to an offence in the Children's Court. The program aims to address a young person's offending behaviour by providing an opportunity to realise the impact of the offence on the victim and others and to increase supports to minimise the likelihood of re-offending by the young person.

Target Group
Young people who have offended when aged10-17 years presenting at the Children, Court who: have pleaded guilty or have been found guilty of offences(excluding serious sex offences and serious violence); appeared in court of a previous occasion or have committed offences serious enough to warrant a supervision order on their first appearance; committed offence(s) serious enough for a youth supervision order or probation order to be considered by the court; been referred to group conferencing within 9 months of the offence occurring or at the discretion of the Court; assessed as suitable by a DHS juvenile Justice Officer.

Availability
9.00am- 5.00pm Monday to Friday

Location
This service is available in the follolwing areas:

Ballarat
4 - 6 Peel St North, Ballarat VIC 3350
Phone: 03 5337 8999
Fax: 03 5332 4465
Grampians area

Horsham
McPherson House, 45 McPherson Street, Horsham VIC 3400
Phone: 03 5381 2770
Fax: 03 5381 2770

Mildura
136 Lime Avenue, Mildura VIC 3500
Phone: 03 5051 0000
Fax: 03 5021 2478

Referral Process
Referral from the Children's Court

Assisting individuals, couples and families with post separation parenting support, family dispute resolution, and relationship counselling.

About the Family Relationships Services Program
The Family Relationship Services Program (FRSP) is funded by the Australian Government through the Attorney-Generals' Department and the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Both Departments recognise the value and importance of healthy, strong relationships. The program aims to help parents ensure the wellbeing of all family members by minimising the emotional, social and economic costs of disruption to family relationships.
Services are for all family members including individuals, couples, grandparents, and young people, from those culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, indigenous people, low income earners, sole parents and those living in remote areas.

Education and Skills Training
These services assist people to develop skills that foster positive relationships with their partner, ex-partner, children and other family members. Assistance include promoting positive parenting, enhancing communication and problem solving skills for individuals and couples throughout the lifecycle, parenting after separation, and supporting people at key transition points such as preparing for marriage, becoming a parent and enriching a marriage. To view our current Education programs please visit the Learn With Us page of this website.

Counselling Services
Professional counsellors assist people to resolve relationship issues that arise at various stages of their relationships. Counselling usually occurs on a weekly or fortnightly basis, and may be from one to eight sessions.

Family Dispute Resolution This service assists separating parents ro reach agreement on parenting arrangements which are in the best interests of children. Family Dispute Resolution helps separating families resolve disputes as an alternative to going to court.

Location
This program is available in the following locations:

Ballarat

Family Relationship Centre

34 Peel St, Ballarat VIC 3350
Phone: 1300 303 988 
Fax: 03 5332 9549
 

Warrnambool

Level 1 142 Timor Street, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Phone: 03 5559 3000
Fax: 03 5561 7135

Hamilton

15 Clarendon Street, Hamilton VIC 3300
Phone: 03 5572 4466

Mildura

153 Langtree Avenue, Mildura VIC 3500
Phone: 03 5022 0470
Fax: 03 5021 2478

Swan Hill

79 McCallum Street, Swan Hill
Phone: 5033 2439

Outreach services are available to Horsham, Portland and Campertown.

Referral Process
May be made by your self or other health and welfares service providers.

Ballarat Family Relationship Centre

Location
34 Peel Street North Ballarat
Phone: 1300 303 988

• Strengthening Family Relationships
• Helping Families Stay Together
• Assisting Families Through Separation

How can the Ballarat Family Relationship Centre help:
The Ballarat Family Relationship Centre is a place any family member can go to for information about family relationships. The centre provides information about family issues; can provide support in identifying the needs of your family; and help with contacting appropriate local services.

The Centre has a resource and information area that anyone can visit and use. In this area there is a wide range of information about family relationships, family issues and family support agencies, including local supports and services. The resource area is also set up with the internet and telephone, to enable visitors to access family relationship information and services.

Staff are available to talk through family issues and help with finding appropriate services for your family. You may also like us to assist you in making contact with a service.

If you are separated or separating we can provide Family Dispute Resolution (mediation) to help reach agreement on parenting arrangements. We will talk with you to help you focus on your children's needs and then provide joint sessions with the other parent or family members.

Cost of service:
We provide information, referral and individual sessions free of charge. We also provide up to three hours of joint sessions free of charge, but may charge fees after that, depending on your circumstances. We will discuss these fees with you in advance so that you can decide whether to proceed with sessions here or explore alternative options.

Interpreter Services:
If an interpreter is required the centre staff will arrange an interpreter for you.

Where can I find out more information
You can telephone us on 1300 303 988 for more information about the Ballarat Family Relationship Centre.

The Family Relationship Advice Line also provides free information, advice and referral services.
You can telephone the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 between 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am and 4pm Saturday.

Family Relationships Online provides access to information about the changes to the family law system and about family relationship issues and services available to assist families.

Visit Family Relationships Online at:
www.familyrelationships.gov.au

From the 1st July 2008, Centacare in partnership with St. Luke's Anglicare commenced provision of the Gambler's Help Program throughout the Loddon Mallee Region. Counselling is an opportunity to talk about a concern with a qualified and skilled counsellor. The process provides support and respect while assisting the person towards a solution.

Program Information

Description
The Gambler's Help Program offers a range of strategies to assist people deal with gambling issues. They include:

• Therapeutic gambling counseling to address the addictive nature of gambling, flexible counseling styled to suit client needs.
• Financial counseling to assist people with financial issues caused by gambling, working towards assisting clients to move towards financial security.
• A range of community education programs, for other service providers and the general community.
• Gambler's Help is a free and confidential service.

Target group
Problem gambling is characterized by difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler and others, or for the community. (Neal, Delfabbro & O'Neill 2005)
Both the Financial and therapeutic Problem Gambling Counselling service is available to anyone seeking assistance with a gambling problem.

Availability
Counselling is available by appointment during office hours in Mildura and Swan Hill. Some after hours appointments are available upon negotiation.

Location
Gambling Help Services are available in the following locations:

Mallee Area:
• Mildura, Centracare,153 Langtree Avenue, Phone 5022 0470
• Swan Hill, 79 McCallum Street, Phone 5032 1205
  Loddon:
• Bendigo, 47 High Street, Phone 5448 1000
• Castlemaine, 1 Halford Street, Phone 5470 6266
• Echuca, 114 Hume Street, Phone 5480 1120
• Kyneton, 1 Victoria Street, Phone 5421 2000
• Maryborough, 93 Clarendon Street, Phone 5460 4144

Referral process
For further information, or to make an appointment with a Gamblers Help Program worker, please telephone the office nearest you or by calling our regional Freecall Number: 1800 244 323 An interpreter service is also available. Useful Links:
www.problemgambling.vic.gov.au
www.gamblersanonymous.org.au/contact.htm

The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) project provides small no-interest loans to low income individuals and families for the purchase of essential household items, medical equipment and educational items. Loans are repaid over 12-18 months at a negotiated and affordable repayment plan.

The NILS program is based on the model developed by the Good Shepherd in 1981, and covers the Sunraysia geographical area. The Sunraysia NILS program is a partnership between Centacare, The National Australia Bank and Oasis Community Care.

Contact the NILS coordinator at the Mildura Centacare office on (03) 5022 0470 to make an application.