Birrang Enterprise Development Company will be able to provide additional case management services in Bourke and Brewarrina communities, thanks to a $775,139 grant from the Coalition Government.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said that Birrang Enterprise Development Company would receive funding to deliver case management targeted at youth who are disengaged or are at risk of disengaging from education and family and/or who are in contact with the criminal justice system through until 30 June 2019.
“Improving the safety of Indigenous families and communities is one of the highest priorities for the Coalition Government – and this investment will enable the Birrang Enterprise Development Company to provide additional support to people who need it the most,” Minister Scullion said.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said that through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), the Government was providing targeted investment to those working on the ground to make a difference in the lives of First Australians.
“This project is a great example of the Coalition working with Indigenous Australians to improve outcomes for First Australians living in the Bourke and Brewarrina communities,” Mr Coulton said.
Birrang CEO, Debbie Maguire, said the organisation is pleased to be involved with this important initiative.
“This program will focus on addressing youth connectedness and a sense of belonging to home, education and community.”
The Birrang Enterprise Development Company’s Maranguka project is one of 28 recently funded under the IAS. Services have been funded to provide intensive support to Indigenous people most affected in the following areas: alcohol and drugs, domestic violence, mental health and wellbeing, and youth offending.
Existing service providers will share $18,530,899 million in Government funding through until 30 June 2019 to transition from the Indigenous Community Links programme to new place-based, intensive support services that address specific safety and wellbeing needs.
A further $3,728,066 million will be provided until 30 June 2019 for new services in areas where a safety and wellbeing service gap has been identified.
The final year of funding is dependent on the projects providing strong outcomes for their clients.
Providers will be asked to collect service data to assess the impact of the service, to better understand what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage and contribute to the evidence base.