TWO ARMS ONE SERVICE

Gkuhaarn

Kukutja

Kurtjar

Normanton Recovery and Community Wellbeing Service

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN

The Salvation Army

and

Mt Isa Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service -

Gidgee Healing

Mo

rnin

gton

Island

Where are we?

Cairns

9 hours

Townsville 11 hours

Mt Isa

6 hours

Brisbane 24 hours

Sydney

30 hours

Key features

TWO ARMS - ONE INTEGRATED SERVICE

• New model: Developing and evolving

• Catchment area : Normanton, Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Burketown

• Target group: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• Therapeutic Community capacity:

Twenty residents

• Community Wellbeing Service

Aims to assist all who make contact

Construction

Completed – sort of

What we want to do

• Assist people to learn how to live free from addiction

• Provide a culturally and therapeutically safe environment

• Help build resilient, healthy, addiction free people and communities

OrganisationalStructure

NRCWS LOGIC

Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Impact

Organisational expertiseStaffingFunding

PartnershipsDept PM&CLocal ServicesHealth ServicesMental Health

JGCTSA & Gidgee organisational support.Policies & procedures.Evidence Base

Bridge ProgramCommunity Wellbeing ServicesFacilities

Recruit, induct, train staff.Finalise-• Contracts• MoU’s• Service

Level Agreements

Governance Compliance.Research partnerships.

One-on one supportCounsellingWorkshopsGroupsCultural & social activities

Comprehensive treatment plansIndividual case management.Clients making informed choices.

Harm reduction.Increased resilience.Improved health and well being.

Safe and healthy communities.

Reduction in ATODG related health, social and economic harms among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities.

Integrated service packages.Participation in education & training.Increased confidence.Enhanced self esteem.Increased social skills.Cultural, family and country.

Social and economic participation.Improved relationships.Linked to culture, family and country.

Therapeutic Community Arm

• The Bridge Program model of treatment– safety, support, time to learn to live free of addiction

• 12 Step Recovery – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects

• Each participant allocated a case worker

• Daily group sessions, work duties, responsibilities

• No set treatment time frame– Typically 3-10 months, but varies with individual need

• Voluntary service (except where mandated by courts)

Participant Journey

Community Wellbeing Arm

NRCWS Intended Outcomes

Connecting with NRCWS

• Informal referral – phone, email, drop in

• Anyone can refer

• Assessment form can be used (by service providers)

to provide information prior to referral

• No wrong door – if not suitable for TC, Community Wellbeing arm will assist

TC program exit

• No set length before exit

• Follow up provided to participants through the Community Wellbeing arm

• Day programs available

• Community Wellbeing arm strengthens links between other agencies & exiting participants

– To facilitate effective reintegration of participants with their local community

What we don’t do

• Exit people from NRCWS with no follow up

• Work only with participants and exclude family or the community

• Assume that everyone needs the same thing:– treatment programs/follow up are tailored to

individuals

• Work in isolation:– we will link with multiple agencies to assist participants

to recover and re-enter their community

Community involvement is key

A Community Engagement Sub Committee ensures people from each of the Lower Gulf communities have input

Building capacity

• An important aspect of the work of NRCWS is to work with local communities and services to

build the capacity of the region.

Staff undertaking the Cert IV in Community Services

FAQs

• How will NRCWS work with other services? Referral pathways with key partners, other agencies and community members are in place. NRCWS works with allied health, community and family support services to ensure an integrated and sustainable approach.

• What areas will the NRCWS provides services to? Primarily people from the Lower Gulf region, including Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Normanton and Burketown. The service will also support those from Western Cape communities, as the need arises. Support will be provided to those from other locations if capacity allows.

FAQs• What are the eligibility criteria for the NRCWS

residential recovery service?

Rather than having specific eligibility criteria, NRCWS works with people seeking assistance and the referring agency, to see if the NRCWS is the best service to assist.

An assessment is conducted in collaboration with the referring agency, to see whether entering the TC will meet the person’s needs – if not support can still be provided through the community wellbeing service.

FAQs• What if a person requires detoxification services? NRCWS is not equipped to provide detox – but works with the hospital, ATODS and doctors to ensure appropriate care and support is provided.

• What does the program do? NRCWS utilises the Therapeutic Community approach. The community as method approachesupports participants to build personal resilience and enhances health and wellbeing. A strong emphasis is placed on cultural, social and economic participation.

FAQs

• How will NRCWS be culturally sensitive?

Culturally secure practices include: Majority Indigenous staffTraining and upskilling of local peopleStrong linkages with Traditional Owners and Elders in the communityInclusion of a range of Community Wellbeing activities that support cultural reconnection, including back-to-country programs.

FAQs

• Will there be an Aboriginal language name for NRCWS

NRCWS is currently working with Traditional Owners to identify an appropriate Aboriginal language name for the service, which has greater meaning and significance to local people.

NRCWS is also be working with local artists to develop the logo and other imagery for the service.