<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/22/historic-350m-nsw-funding-boost-helps-launch-new-aboriginal-family-program-to-help-children-tell-their-own-stories>
"An Aboriginal family preservation program aimed at giving at-risk children
space to “tell their own stories” has been launched across New South Wales
after a historic investment from the state government.
The program, co-designed by First Nations families, Aboriginal
Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and the NSW government, aims to
reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care
through a holistic approach to child and family protection.
On Tuesday, the NSW government distributed $350m to 25 ACCOs across the state
as part of the Minns Labor government’s broader $900m investment in a
redesigned family preservation service system. The money will also fund a
further 30 non-government organisations to support vulnerable families.
At Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast, Abcare, an Aboriginal family support
service, has already started seeing success. As part of their program, Abcare’s
healing centre (Bimirr Darrundaygy) gives children access to trauma-informed
and culturally safe support, including psychologists, a registered nurse and
narrative therapists who specialise in helping children to “re-author” their
stories.
Jack Archibald, a Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri man and a narrative therapist at
Abcare, said that he had worked with a nine-year-old boy, Blake*, who had been
diagnosed with level 2 autism and lived with his mother and young brother, who
has level 3 autism.
Archibald said before accessing the program, the boy and his family had
suffered through domestic violence and that Blake “struggled to express his
story in words” – but was able to work with him through drawing.
“Some of the things that came up within his drawings were incredible,” he said.
“The things that he held inside of his mind, he must’ve been holding on for so
long.
“We started breaking it down in a narrative way and building a new story out of
his drawings.”
He said Blake was now thriving, trying new things and reaching goals at school.
“I’ve been able to advocate with a psychologist, so he’s not retelling his
story again. And his mum is being supported with an autism parent group out
their way.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
