Page 3309 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018
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MISS C BURCH: Will the CFMMEU receive yet another unearned windfall gain as a result of this government decision?
MR GENTLEMAN: That would be a matter for the CFMMEU. I understand that they have sold the property.
MR PARTON: Minister, was the CFMMEU invited to the meeting which was consulted about the proposed changes to the Woden master plan? Were they invited?
MR GENTLEMAN: I think most stakeholders that had an interest in the area were invited, by way of a general invitation.
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders—child protection
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Minister for Disability, Children and Youth. Minister, how will the ACT government’s new partnership with Gugan Gulwan and OzChild support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at risk of ongoing involvement with child and youth protection services?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Cheyne for the question. More than 40 Canberra families will benefit from the trial of functional family therapy, which is being undertaken in a partnership between Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation and OzChild. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at risk of involvement in the ACT child protection system will be able to access functional family therapy for the first time as part of this 12-month trial.
Functional family therapy is a culturally appropriate family-based program designed to improve family dynamics, communication and support. The role of FFT is to reduce or eliminate the need for ongoing services. FFT focuses on the systems around families and how they can support and motivate change. Work is done at the parental, peer, school and community level. Gugan Gulwan brings important cultural insights to the program as well as strong connections to Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
OzChild has a history of delivering evidence-based programs across Australia, including FFT. The partnership between Gugan Gulwan and OzChild will support our collective goal of reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families involved with the out of home care system. The program is in the early stages of development and Gugan Gulwan, OzChild and the ACT government are working together to establish this model in the ACT as soon as possible.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the answers. It is up to government to listen to them and recognise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions. The government is implementing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led programs like FFT while the Our Booris, Our Way review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the child protection system is underway.
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