Joint Winner of the 2024 Robin Clark Making a Difference Award

A huge congratulations to The Putting Families First (PFF) team who were announced as joint winners of the Robin Clark Making a Difference Award at the 2024 Victorian Protecting Children Awards on Tuesday night. 

This dynamic team were recognised for their groundbreaking work supporting families involved or at risk of involvement with the child protection and criminal justice systems.  

“The work of the Putting Families First team is a shining example of how collaboration and innovation can transform the lives of families. All members of the interdisciplinary team show exceptional excellence in practice, delivering a service that truly meets the diverse needs of families, empowering them to make positive changes, while giving each family member hope and confidence for the future.”
– Dr Lisa J. Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, OzChild 

Thanks to our program partners Youth Support Advocacy Services (YSAS), Australian African for Retention and Opportunity (AAFRO), Charis and Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA).

Putting Families First Team Manager, Scarlett Keally had this to say about the program:

“We provide intensive support to families who have or are engaged in the criminal justice system. By collaborating with all family members, and providing a culturally safe space for them to share their experiences, helps the team address each family member’s individual needs; she said. Common struggles we support include poverty, intergenerational and migration trauma, family violence, embedded racism, acute mental health needs, alcohol and substance misuse, and housing needs; which our specialist integrated interdisciplinary teams navigate alongside families.”

“I am immensely proud of the passion and dedication of the team and the wider support services we work with to make a difference for our most vulnerable and at-risk families. For this to be recognised at state level after two years of program delivery is phenomenal.”

OzChild is incredibly proud of outcomes the Putting Families First team is achieving for young people and families. The transformative impact of the PFF program extends beyond individual families, to building a stronger, more resilient community.

OzChild would also like to congratulate ‘The Integrated Health Systems for Children in Out of Home Care Project’ for their amazing work ensuring healthcare for children and young people in out-of-home care was equitable and efficient across the Mildura local government area.

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