Indigenous families - Resources
Information and resources relevant to practitioners working with indigenous families. Suggestions for additional resources are always welcome at afrc@aifs.gov.au.
On this page |
RelatedAFRC publicationsBibliographies |
Background information
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their communities
People in human services organisations will provide more appropriate services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people if they understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's history, cultural and social reality. There are three steps to improving services: improving understanding; seeing the implications for service delivery and community development; improving service delivery and community development through changes to practice. This web site can help you with the first two steps: improving understanding and seeing the implications.
Early childhood
Aboriginal Early Childhood Services Support Unit (AECSSU) - NSW
AECSSU has an aim in common with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's services, to promote the educational development of the children through provision of high quality early childhood programs. Programs must be culturally relevant to the children and enhance their self-esteem through the reinforcement of their cultural heritages. Information on programs and training, links, resources and publications are on site.
Family and children lead agencies and peak bodies
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAICH)
QAIHC is the state peak body representing the Community Controlled Health Sector in Queensland at both state and national level. Its membership comprises 19 Community Controlled Health Services (CCHS) located throughout Queensland.
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander
Child Care (SNAICC)
SNAICC is the national non-government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The SNAICC Resource Service (SRS) seeks to fill resource gaps identified across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family and children’s services sector and provide a central information sharing clearinghouse. The SRS hosts resources, information on conferences, projects, training and workshops and yarning topics.
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)
VACCA is a statewide Aboriginal community controlled and operated service established by our community in 1977. VACCA was given the responsibility by their community to promote, advocate and achieve positive changes in the lives of Aboriginal children, young people, their families and their community premised on human rights, self determination, cultural respect and safety.
Waltja
Tjutangku Palyapayi – Doing
Good Work for Families
Waltja Tjutangku
Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation is a community-based
organisation, working with Aboriginal families in
remote Central Australia.
Government services
Australian government programs and services for
indigenous Australians
This directory contains links to the most significant
Australian Government programs for Indigenous people.
Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse
Health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – Mental health info
Auseinet informs, educates and promotes good practice
in a range of sectors and the community about mental
health promotion, prevention, early intervention and
suicide prevention across the lifespan.
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (ADAC) - SA
ADAC helps to ensure the development of effective programs to reduce harm related to substance misuse in Aboriginal communities. This mission will be carried out principally as an information and advisory centre for the Aboriginal community, the wider community and to relevant professionals and institutions, on substance misuse issues.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet makes comprehensive,
up-to-date information accessible to people interested
in the health of Indigenous Australians. It provides
a range of resources. Information is available on
data sources, current research, theses, full text
material, research findings and bibliographic data.
Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health
The Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal
Health is a virtual organisation of 12 Core Partners
and six Associate Partners representing health service
and health policy agencies, universities and research
centres across Australia. It aims to do research
that will improve Aboriginal health.
Koori Druginfo
Alcohol and drug related information for the Koori
community.
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
NACCHO is the national peak Aboriginal health body representing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services throughout Australia.
Success Stories
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
- (ANTaR's) booklet of Success
Stories in Indigenous Health shows that
indigenous-led health care initiatives often
get the best results. The stories demonstrate that
progress in improving Indigenous health is achieved
when there is significant engagement with the
Indigenous communities concerned and appropriate
funding and support provided.
Key Reports
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Bringing them home: The 'Stolen Children' report
Report of the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse 2007
Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle - 'Little children are sacred' report (PDF 6.7 MB)
Parenting
Family Action Centre - Indigenous programs for fathers
The Family Action Centre has a growing commitment
to supporting indigenous communities and service
organisations to deliver strength based approaches
when working with families.
Hey, Dad! For indigenous dads, uncles and pops - Evaluation report (PDF 679 KB)
Parenting SA – Aboriginal parent easy guide
Parenting and child health – Family & relationships
Information for parents on a wide range of family and
relationship issues, and how they affect the development
of children and young people. Specific guides for Aboriginal families are available.
Raising children network – Indigenous parents
You're a dad: 7 storylines about being a dad
A 20 page A5 full colour booklet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers and young men, to encourage positive images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in their roles in the lives of their children and provide parenting information to engage and support men in their children’s development and wellbeing. The booklet accompanies the poster series, which includes five national posters and three sets of local posters of five participating men's community groups from around Australia. There is also a facilitator's guide for developing a local parenting and men poster project.