Kinship Families Connections Program - Extension

"This application involves the extension of Mirabel's Kinship Families Connections Program generously supported by the R.M. Ansett Trust in 2010. Additional funding for this program will allow Mirabel to cater for the increasing numbers of kinship families requiring intensive support. Mirabel currently receives referrals of 5 new children living in kinship care each week. This successful multifaceted prevention program addresses the unique needs of more than 400 disadvantaged children residing in kinship care, who have been orphaned or abandoned due to their parents’ drug use. This program assists kinship carers to cater for the unique and specific needs of these children through the provision of therapeutic groups, educational support, respite care, recreation and Youth Ambassadors meetings. The program is based at Mirabel House in Mt Martha. The familiarity of Mirabel House provides the children with a sense of belonging and becomes a significant association of stability and positive experiences in their memory.

This program fills a vital gap in support services for Victorian kinship families. The provision of essential opportunities,
educational and emotional support for these children is the most pro-active way to break the destructive cycle of
addiction."