The $37.2 million program supports young people leaving the child protection system with access to support up until the age of 21, as they move towards independence.
Assistance provided through the program includes help with obtaining safe and stable accommodation and supports tailored to the young person’s needs across enrolling in further education, re-engaging with health services, improving financial skills, connecting to voluntary work opportunities and identifying where to access support in the local community.
The program also supports carers of the young people who continue living with them, with financial payments to cover expenses such as food, accommodation and utilities.
The milestone comes as six Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) have been announced to deliver Home Stretch WA services across the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
The following ACCOs have been appointed:
- MG Corporation (Kimberley region – Kununurra and Wyndham);
- Jungarni Jutiya (Kimberley region – Halls Creek);
- Broome Youth & Families Hub (Kimberley region – Broome and Derby);
- Marra Worra Worra (Kimberley region – Fitzroy Crossing)
- Bloodwood Tree Association (Pilbara region – Port Hedland, Marble Bar, Warralong, Yandeyarra and Newman); and
- Robe River Kuruma (Pilbara region – Karratha, Roebourne and Wickham).
Appointing these ACCOs to deliver Home Stretch WA across regional northern WA will allow place-based localised services to be delivered to young people in the regions where they are leaving care.
Other service providers involved in delivering the program include Yorganop Association, Salvation Army, Wanslea and Mission Australia who deliver the program in the metropolitan area, South-West and the Great Southern regions.
Anglicare WA continues to support all Home Stretch WA providers delivering Home Stretch through a Community of Practice function.
To find out more about Home Stretch WA visit the Home Stretch WA webpage.