The historic $350M NSW funding for a new Aboriginal family program aims to help at-risk children 'tell their own stories' and reduce overrepresentation in out-of-home care. This investment, part of the Minns Labor government's broader $900 million commitment, marks a transformative shift in family preservation across New South Wales.
What Is the New Aboriginal Family Program?
The program was co-designed by First Nations families, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), and the NSW government. It takes a holistic approach to child and family protection, focusing on cultural safety and trauma-informed care. On Tuesday, $350 million was distributed to 25 ACCOs, with additional funding for 30 non-government organisations to support vulnerable families.
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Key Components of the Program
- Trauma-informed care through psychologists, registered nurses, and narrative therapists
- Culturally safe healing centres like Abcare's Bimirr Darrundaygy in Coffs Harbour
- Narrative therapy that helps children re-author their life stories
- Family preservation services designed to keep Indigenous children at home and out of care
Funding Distribution and Impact
The $350 million investment is the single largest of its kind in NSW history. It targets the systemic overrepresentation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care, which has been a persistent issue across Australia. The following table compares the old model with the new approach:
| Aspect | Previous System | New Program |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | Limited, reactive grants | $350M proactive, distributed to 25 ACCOs |
| Approach | Crisis-driven, removed children | Holistic, family preservation, cultural safety |
| Services | Basic counselling | Narrative therapy, psychologists, ACCO partnerships |
| Outcome focus | Reducing numbers | Empowering children, re-authoring stories |
How Narrative Therapy Helps Children Re-author Their Stories
Jack Archibald, a Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri man and narrative therapist at Abcare, shared a powerful example. He worked with nine-year-old Blake, diagnosed with level 2 autism, whose family had suffered domestic violence. Blake struggled to express his story in words but used drawings to reveal deep emotions. Through narrative therapy, Archibald helped Blake build a new story from those drawings. "The things that he held inside of his mind, he must've been holding on for so long," Archibald said. Today, Blake is thriving, trying new things and reaching important milestones.
This case demonstrates the power of culturally safe, narrative-based support in helping vulnerable children heal and re-author their identities. The program's success in Coffs Harbour is now being scaled statewide.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the $350M NSW Aboriginal family program?
The program aims to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care by providing holistic, culturally safe family preservation services, including trauma-informed care and narrative therapy.
How does narrative therapy work for Indigenous children?
Narrative therapy helps children separate themselves from their problems and re-author their life stories using drawings, storytelling, and culturally appropriate techniques. It empowers them to express emotions and build positive identities.
Who receives the funding under this initiative?
The $350 million is distributed to 25 Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) across NSW, with additional funding for 30 non-government organisations to support at-risk families.
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