VACCA provides the following programs and services:

Dhum Djirri* Aboriginal Family Decision Making (AFDM) Program

AFDM encourages family members, extended family, Elders, significant people in the child’s life, and, where appropriates the child and/or young person, to meet and make decisions about the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who are involved in the Child Protection System.

 

*Dhum Djirri – Wurundjeri words meaning to gather and unit

 

Koorie Cultural Placement and Support Program

The Koorie Cultural Placement and Support Program addresses the cultural needs of Aboriginal children who are placed in mainstream out of home care services. The focus is to ensure the children remain connected to their families and community and to explore the possibility of placements within the extended family and the wider Indigenous community.

 

Link Up Victoria

The Link Up Victoria program was established in 1990 to address the specific needs of the large number of Indigenous people presenting to Aboriginal services who were the victims of past government policies and practices. We assist Indigenous people, over the age of eighteen, who were adopted, placed in foster care, institutionalized or forcibly removed, to trace and be reunited with their families.

 

Permanent Care Program

The Permanent Care Program becomes involved with all Aboriginal children in out of home care where a case plan decision has been made determining that they cannot be reunited with their parents. The program provides a culturally relevant service in the assessment of permanent carers for Aboriginal children and young people. The program also provides ongoing support to carers and children.

 

Lakidjeka Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service (ACSASS)

ACSASS provides an Indigenous perspective to Child Protection and assists in working out ways of keeping children safely with their families or helping them to be reunited. We provide a confidential service where we are asked our opinions about Child Protection reports (notifications) on Aboriginal children and young people. Where removal of children is necessary we ensure compliance with the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, thereby keeping Indigenous children with their extended Aboriginal families and/or communities to maintain their connection to culture.

 

Residential Care Program

VACCA operates two residential care units, or Family Group Homes which can each accommodate four children at any given time. The Family Group Homes provide an alternative environment for children who are unable to be cared for by their parents. Depending on the circumstances of each individual, children may be accommodated for emergencies or for short to long term placements.

 

 

EXTENDED CARE

The Extended Care Program provides culturally appropriate placements and offers support to Aboriginal children who are unable to live at home.

 

Foster Carers Needed, Click Here to View PDF

 

LEAVING CARE PROGRAM

The Leaving Care Program provides a quality, culturally sensitive service to Indigenous young people leaving care.

 

KURNAI YOUTH HOMELESSNESS SERVICE

The Kurnai Youth Homelessness Service provides accommodation and support for young Koorie people who are homeless and at risk of being homeless in the Latrobe Valley.