Alliances

Koori Youth Alcohol & Drug Healing Service.
Ngwala Willumbong and YSAS have been appointed as a partnership to implement and operate a residential recovery centre.
The implementation of the KYA&DHS by the Ngwala/YSAS partnership builds on existing and previous collaborations of the two agencies. These include training, workforce development, cultural awareness, co-casework with Koori young people.

YSAS is a specialist provider of youth drug treatment services providing a range of programs across metro Melbourne and regional Victoria. A close relationship between Ngwala and YSAS has existed for several years with discussions and dreams about the KYA&DHS taking place for the last 2 -3 years.

The Koori Youth Alcohol & Drug Healing Service is a 12 bed residential rehabiltation service for 15 - 20 year olds with alcohol and other drug related problems. An interim 6 bed facility is scheduled to open in late 2006 with a permanent facility to follow 12 - 18 months later. Underpinning this cultually relevant service are the principles of a therapeutic community model which includes holistic approaches towards providing a safe, responsive, empathetic and encouraging environment for both residents and staff.

The program will include and integrate aspects of Koori culture with a focus on individual and peer learning, and vary according to the background and cultural awareness of the individuals and the group.

www.ysas.org.au

Take a tour of the Koori Youth AOD Healing Service

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Ngwala Swinburne partnership.

The partnership is driven by a joint Reference Group which meets monthly and involves Ngwala Board of Directors. All training is planned by the Reference Group to ensure that it remains Aboriginal community controlled.


Ngwala Willumbong's commitment to further education and training of its staff was acknowledged by the Community Services and Health Industry with Ngwala receiving the Excellence Award for "Employer Achievement in Creating a Learning Culture" in 2001, and the "2002 Victorian Community Services and Health Industry Award" for Innovation in Training and Assessment.

Outcomes of this include Graham "Bootsie" Thorpe being awarded the Indigenous Student of the Year Award for outstanding achievement.

The Ngwala Swinburne partnership has enabled the organisations to successfully tender for the provision of training to the Department of Human Services - Development and Delivery of Training for Victorian Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Workers in Shepparton, Swan Hill, Echuca, Ballarat, Geelong and Morwell. This project resulted in Ngwala staff - Barb Honeysett and Bob Hamann delivering training and tutoring jointly with Swinburne lecturer Greg Smith. Approximately 20 Koori Drug and Alcohol Workers graduated from this program and are now delivering services to Aboriginal communities throughout Victoria.

The partnership has also enabled Ngwala to maintain a strong commitment to the provision of employment opportunities for Koori young people. As part of the Community Jobs Program funded by the Department of Employment, Training and Tertiary Education, Ngwala was able to provide employment and training for a 26 week period to eight (8) young people. Almost all completed the Certificate III in Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs) as well as invaluable workplace training and mentoring from Barb Honeysett and Bob Hamann.

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"Farm Rescue" Work for the Dole Program at The Percy Green Memorial Recovery Centre, Shepparton

A 26 week program commenced 8th March 2007 in partnership with Golbourne Valley Job Network and The Factory
Graduation will be held on the 6th August.
Graduates will receive a Certificate II Rural Operations (agriculture) after completing a minimum 400 hours.

Units include: OHS, Observe environmental work practices, Work effectively in the industry, workplace communications as well as Tractor Driving, Chemical Users Certificate.

A welding program will commence 21st May 2007