Outreach Services

Ngwala Willumbong provides a range of assessment, referral and treatment services to individuals and families who are experiencing the affects of substance misuse. The aim of the outreach services is to assist Aboriginal people who are able to maintain themselves in the community, while receiving help from Ngwala Willumbong programs.

The Outreach Services are staffed by a committed group of experienced professionals skilled in drug and alcohol work and are able to work with Aboriginal people to address a variety of issues. A range of program options are offered such as linkages with Housing Programs, Drug and Alcohol counselling and Youth Programs, Legal Services, Health Services and other specialist services that our clients may need.

Ngwala Willumbong Outreach Services also acts as a referral point for Aboriginal people seeking to use Ngwala rehabilitation services and accesses mainstream specialist drug and alcohol detoxification services. In addition, the Outreach Services also provide a range of services to other agencies such as professional development and training for staff of mainstream agencies, cultural audits to assist agencies deliver culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal people and assist funding agencies in formulating policy in the drug and alcohol field.

Outreach Services provided by Ngwala include

SAAP
Supported Assistance Accommodation Program providing Indigenous men, women, family and youth who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness with timely access to assistance and/or referral.

The SAAP team co-ordinates client access to Housing/Crisis systems and services and provides:

• Advocacy roles between Aboriginal and mainstream Housing/Crisis Services
• Advice and assistance for: Documentation, Data Collection and Assessment
• Intensive Case Management
• Assist those in crisis and help to provide emergency accommodation as well as looking at more stable and long-term housing.
• Provide a referral service where we utilise the partnerships set up with mainstream organizations. We can also refer to Indigenous and mainstream services Statewide to assist where need be, through our Victorian SAAP Network

Indigenous Network Homelessness Coordinator
Dan Laws ph: 9510 3233

Eastern Housing Support Worker:
Irene Swindle ph:9562 3407

Southern Housing Support Workers:
Karen Derschow: ph: 9510 3233

Joanne Proctor ph: 9510 3233

___________________________________________

Youth Programs
Assistance is provided to Koori youth who are having problems at home, school or in their local community in the Southern region. Koori A&D Workers are located in each Metropolitan region and provide case management support, advice, assistance, linkages and referrals.

Innovative Health Services Homeless Youth
Bindi Williams 9510 3233

Youth Justice Program Dandenong
Ronnie Burns 9510 3233

___________________________________________

Koori Community Alcohol & Drug Workers

Northern
Bootsie Thorpe 9481 2666 / fax 9486 3034

Eastern
Diane Press & Peter Luttrell 9871 1800 / fax 9870 4688

Southern
Rosemarie Jones 9510 3233 / fax 9510 6288