On Track to Thrive is a pilot program aimed at stepping in early where children aged from 5 to 9 may be at risk of progressing to the criminal justice system.
The $7.8 million two-year pilot will provide a pathway to support children and their families to prevent offending from eventuating.
Under the program, at-risk children will be referred to tailored and intensive support services focused on their health, home life and education.
The pilot has been designed to reflect the unique needs, strengths and contexts of the Armadale and Geraldton communities.
Each site will support up to 25 children a year with integrated, culturally responsive, trauma-informed support services.
Family participation in the program is voluntary, and each child will receive up to 12 months of wraparound support.
The Department of Justice is delivering the program in partnership with the WA Police Force and the Departments of Communities, Education and Health.
At each location, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will be working with families to support children who have been referred by WA Police.
Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation and the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (GRAMS) have been engaged to deliver in-home support services in Armadale and Geraldton, respectively.
The Department of Health’s Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is providing Health Navigator services in Armadale, while GRAMS and the WA Country Health Service are performing this function in Geraldton.
“On Track to Thrive is an innovative program designed to create early connections with children and their families so they can look forward to a brighter future,” Department of Justice Director General Kylie Maj said.
“This is a great example of Government agencies and community groups working collaboratively to provide a much-needed service that will benefit both the families involved and their communities,” Ms Maj said.
Expert Reference Groups of specialists with child development, cultural and community knowledge has been appointed to provide advice, support and oversight for the program.
Its role includes assessing referrals of children to determine their eligibility for the program and supporting integrated service responses.
(L to R) Expert Reference Group member, Ellie Moir; Karla Kuliny Transition Coach, Brendon Boundary; Department of Justice Executive Director Justice Reform, Emily Bickerton; GRAMS Chief Executive, Deborah Woods; Member for Darling Range, Hugh Jones MLA; Karla Kuliny Chief Executive, Glenda Kickett; Attorney General, Dr Tony Buti MLA; Department of Communities Principal Policy and Project Officer, Mike Bastow; and Department of Health Acting Director of Strategic Social Health Policy, Jaimee Wilkosz.
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