Improving Engagement and Retention of Aboriginal Families with Substance Abuse Problems An Illawarra Collaborative Success Story Miriam Glennon and Leanne Lawrence Barnardos South & Coast Illawarra AMS

What is SUPPS? Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Service Collaborative team of Non Government Family Support staff, midwives, neonatal staff, drug and alcohol nurses, mental health staff and Community Services staff providing intensive ante natal care, drug and alcohol treatment and family work for pregnant women with substance abuse issues and their families. Family Support work continues with a post natal service up to the point where the child is 3 years old.

The Challenge 200 years of abuse, trauma and discrimination toward Aboriginals. Understandable distrust of services. Aboriginal families are over represented in the child welfare system. Voluntary program working with families where the baby is at risk of removal.

Strategies that worked Take the time and every opportunity to build relationships. Work together in partnership. Key local community members are consulted. Aboriginal staff are involved. Culturally appropriate and be prepared to do things very differently. Strength based. Emphasis on healing. Flexibility to respond. PERSISTANCE and Consistency. Believe

Build Relationships Productivity versus Effectiveness Take the time to get to know people (meetings, community events etc.) Listen to them and what they believe. Take the time to build a relationship. Aboriginal people work with people not services.

Work Together in Partnership. Using the relationships you have developed ask Aboriginal Services and people to work with you in any way you can. Be prepared to get a lot of knockbacks but keep trying. Forget which service got the funding for a specific project approach each new challenge as genuine partners. Funding is only one aspect of a successful project, genuinely honor and value what partners contribute to each new project they agree to work on with you.

Consult One real benefit that cannot be undervalued is the role that Aboriginal Service partners can contribute in the role of consultation. If a program/project is to be really successful the local Aboriginal Community must feel that they have been asked what they want and how they want it to work. In partnership Aboriginal services have access to the community especially Elders. Failure to consult can make or break a project and support from partners in this area cannot be valued enough.

Aboriginal staff are involved. Whenever we have an Aboriginal staff member on the SUPPs family Support Service we double the number of Aboriginal families in the program. Nothing engages Aboriginal families into a program more effectively than having Aboriginal staff. That is not always possible and in those instances partnerships are key. Partnerships are crucial to not lose the momentum gained.

Culturally Appropriate Be open to doing things very differently. Staff need training not just on Aboriginal Culture but also on the impact of white settlement on that culture. Ask partners about the content of programs and projects. More importantly ask about the way in which the content needs to be presented. Find out about how your building and the décor looks to Aboriginal people.

Key attitudes Used strength based approaches Encourage an emphasis on healing Be flexible and don’t become too married to your own way of doing things. Persistence and consistency. Believe

Contact Information Miriam Glennon Barnardos South Coast Leanne Lawrence Illawarra AMS