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All around us are hidden stories of families facing significant challenges—stories that our Multisystemic Therapy and Functional Family Therapy – Child Welfare programs help change for the better. These are the stories of families like Liam’s*, where therapy isn’t just about talking through problems, but about giving families the tools they need to make lasting change.

At just 14 years old, Liam was skipping school, vandalising properties, stealing, getting into fights, and on the verge of being placed in juvenile detention. His parents, Matt* and Sarah*, didn’t know what to do anymore.

Every conversation with Liam turned into a screaming match. The police had already been called to their house more than once. Matt was losing his temper more often, and Sarah felt like she was walking on eggshells, afraid that one day, Liam wouldn’t come home at all.

Sarah and Matt weren’t bad parents. And Liam wasn’t a bad kid. They were just a family in crisis, a family
that didn’t know how to reconnect. That’s when they were referred to OzChild’s Functional Family Therapy – Child Welfare (FFT-CW) program, one of the many life-changing, evidence-based therapies we provide to families in crisis.

FFT-CW is an intensive, evidence-based program delivered in the home to support families experiencing complex challenges. It works by strengthening family relationships, improving communication, and equipping parents and caregivers with the tools they need to safely care for their children. The goal is to keep families together, prevent children from entering the out-of-home care system, and reduce the risk of young people becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. Thanks to government funding, these programs are offered at no cost to families like Liam’s. But therapy alone isn’t enough.

When you donate, you’re directly contributing to providing essential tools, ensuring that families like Liam’s receive the full support they need. Whether it’s a simple workbook to help a parent communicate better, or a therapeutic toolkit to help a child manage emotions, these resources give families a fighting chance.

From the very first session, their OzChild therapist, Jake, saw that Liam wasn’t just a “bad kid.” This was a
family that had forgotten how to talk to each other, how to listen and how to be a family at all. Jake got to know the family and identified the gaps where the right tools could make all the difference.

He introduced a family communication workbook—simple exercises designed to help them listen without
interrupting. He brought emotion cards and an emotional regulation tool kit so Liam and his parents could express and regulate their emotions in a healthy manner. He gave Matt and Sarah parenting guides to help them set boundaries without pushing Liam away.

By the end of therapy, Liam was back in school, his parents weren’t perfect, but they were trying—and so was he. His relationship with his father improved, and Matt was getting the help he needed to control his anger. Liam even joined a soccer team—thanks to additional support from our Chance to Shine Scholarship program —and, for the first time in years, his family felt like a family again.

But what if they hadn’t had all the support they needed to succeed? What if Liam had no tools to manage his emotions at home? What if his parents never had the resources to practice the skills they learnt in therapy?

Liam’s story could have ended in heartbreak. Without intervention, he could have ended up expelled, in juvenile detention, or removed from his parents’ care. Instead, because of people like you, he got a second chance.

Liam’s story is just one example of how our evidence-based programs at OzChild are changing lives.
But there are countless other children and families who need your help to break the cycle of disadvantage
and build better futures.

Please call us today on 03 9695 2247 to donate over the phone or click here to donate securely online. 

We really hope you can help. 

Together we can make a lasting difference. 

*While the story in this letter is based on true events, names have been changed and stock images used to protect the identity of this family.