Our Programs

All KARI Community Programs are divided into 8 broad program areas. Within each of these areas there are a number of strategically planned and targeted initiatives. These program areas and initiatives include:

  1. Early Intervention Prevention Program

    The Early Intervention & Placement Prevention Program (EIPP Program) aims to provide support to vulnerable children, young people and families to stop problems escalating and to reduce the likelihood of children and young people entering or remaining in child protection and out-of-home care.

    KARI has been allocated funding under the Child, Youth and Family sub program of EIPP funding. The primary focus of child, youth and family support services is accessing children, young people and families early and providing appropriate, short term supports to address identified issues and prevent escalation of problems.

    Programs that will be delivered with EIPP funding include:

    Community Advice and Support - Whereby community members can contact KARI and ask for direct advice and support in regard to a range of core topics.

    Parent Education Programs - Whereby KARI will facilitate a number of Parent Education Workshops that run over a 6 to 8 week period. Program content will include but is not limited to Behaviour Management and developing parenting skills.

    School Scholarship Program - The Scholarships are offered to Aboriginal students in years 11 and 12 across South Western Sydney. The purpose of the Scholarship Program is to provide financial aid to students and their families so that the student can meet the ongoing costs of higher education.

  2. Brighter Futures

    Targeting Families in Need

    Brighter Futures is designed for families who have children aged eight years or younger or are expecting a child and who face specific problems. Priority of access is given to families with children less than three years of age.

    Problems might include:

    • Domestic violence
    • Parental drug and alcohol misuse
    • Parental mental health issues
    • Lack of extended family or social support
    • Parents with significant learning difficulties and/or intellectual disabilities
    • Child behaviour management problems
    • Lack of parenting skills/adequate supervision.

    Referral

    There are two ways a family can become involved in the program.

    • With a family's permission a community agency can refer them to a Brighter Futures Program Lead Agency.
    • A family that has been reported to the Helpline may be invited to join the Brighter Futures Program.

    Family and Community Services will always determine a family's eligibility regardless of how the family has been referred to the program. Participation in the program is voluntary.

    Tailored Support

    Families in the Brighter Futures Program will receive ongoing case management support and at least two of the following funded service options:

    • Home visiting
    • Parenting programs
    • Quality children's services

    Brighter Futures uses a strengths-based approach. It recognises that parents already have skills and expertise when it comes to understanding what works for their family. As a result, services and support will vary according to each family's needs and will be provided for an average time of eighteen months to two years to have a lasting effect.

    KARI's Brighter Futures Team

    The Brighter Futures Team at KARI consists of six staff. The team is comprised of:

    • Program Manager
    • Three (3) Family Support Workers
    • Early Childhood Coordinator
    • Administration Officer

  3. Community Builders

    Community Builders is a funding program which aims to strengthen communities across NSW and particularly the disadvantaged groups within them. The program was developed in response to a growing body of evidence that suggests that community strengthening is an effective way of reducing inequality and disadvantage. Community strengthening is about building the capacity of and opportunities for people to actively engage in a wide variety of social, economic, cultural, recreational, learning and civic activities. It also includes supporting the relationships and networks that result from these activities.

    Community Builders strengthens communities by:

    • Enhancing community social infrastructure in order to build stronger, more resilient Communities.
    • Promoting people's participation and inclusion in their community by building trust, resourcefulness, participation, respect and connectedness.

    KARI will disperse its Community Builders funding across three core areas:

    • Community Skills Development - Programs to be delivered under this banner include all education and learning programs such as our Singing and Music Program, our Homework Centre Program and our Skill Development Camp for youth in Years 10, 11 and 12. Other programs include the soon to be developed Living Skills Program.
    • Community Capacity Building - Programs to be delivered under this banner include connecting people with information, developing resources, hosting community events such as our annual Gala Dinner dance and coordinating a number of community groups and / or networks.
    • Community Hub - Programs to be delivered under this banner include all partnership programs and coordinating other services to be delivered on site at KARI.

    Please click on our Programs page for an overview of all current program offered by KARI's Community Programs.