Electronic Resources:	https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/cant-find-what-youre-looking
Web resource:	https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/cant-find-what-youre-looking
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Helping families with complex needs: integration of the Strength to Strength and Resources for Adolescents and Parents Programs
Other Titles:	Family relationships quarterly
Authors:	Parker, Robyn
Keywords:	Counselling;Refugee communities;CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse)
Year:	2009
Publisher:	Australian Institute of Family Studies
Citation:	(14), 2009
Notes:	General Overview:In order to develop a more holistic approach to assisting migrant families, Relationships Australia decided to link two programs at its Parramatta office in Sydney: the Adolescents and Parents Program (RAPS) and the Strength to Strength Western Sydney Humanitarian Entrants Program (STS). This article discusses the advantages of linking these programs, as well as some of the difficulties associated with this service delivery model. Discussion:A range of factors have contributed to the success of this model, including the co-location of the programs with other services at Relationships Australia, a supportive clinical and professional environment, and a strong community partnership with Migrant Research Centres. Nonetheless, the author acknowledges that Relationships Australia has encountered a number of difficulties in linking the programs. With respect to staff, key challenges include: the recruitment of staff with appropriate skills and experience; the implementation of measures to deal with staff members’ own experiences of trauma; and the need for ongoing professional skills development and supervision. There are also challenges specific to working with the programs’ client group. New migrants may be unfamiliar with the concept of counselling or reluctant to use mainstream, government services. Building trust and responding to the needs of different ethnic groups are also significant challenges. The article concludes with a discussion of the research and evaluation components of the program model. Standard survey methods are often inappropriate for this group of clients because of language and literacy difficulties. An interest group is developing recommendations on alternative information gathering methods that could be followed by Relationships Australia.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/15037
ISSN:	18339077
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

Items in ANROWS library are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.