Improving health outcomes For Aboriginal children in care

By PETER ROWE

The Victorian Government is backing the State’s Aboriginal Community Health Organisations in their work to provide culturally safe healthcare to Aboriginal children living in care.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced on Friday three new Aboriginal-led pilot programs to be rolled out from next month, supported by a $5.2 million investment.

These programs are about empowering Aboriginal-led teams to provide and coordinate healthcare for children in a culturally safe way, so that children feel comfortable, health issues are identified early and children get the treatments they need.

“We know when we listen to Aboriginal Victorians, we get the best health outcomes – that’s why we’re supporting ACCHOs to deliver culturally safe services for Aboriginal children, ensuring they get the care they need,” Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.

Australian and international evidence highlight that children living in care experience higher rates of poor health than the general population – resulting in chronic disease, mental health issues and developmental and learning delays for many.

The Government’s funding enables the Aboriginal Communities to design and deliver healthcare models that respond to critical areas of need when it comes to health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal children.

Victoria’s Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Natalie Hutchins.

In north east Victoria, the Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation and Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service will work together as a regional partnership to coordinate culturally safe healthcare for Aboriginal children.

This program will improve access to health screenings for Aboriginal children in the region, facilitated with the help of Aboriginal health navigators at Mungabareena.

“We are backing incredible Aboriginal health organisations to do their important work of ensuring Aboriginal children get the culturally safe care they deserve,” Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins said.

In metropolitan Melbourne, the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) will support Aboriginal children entering care by connecting kids to health assessments at VAHS clinics to help identify issues and deliver needed treatments.

A professional network will also be established to support Aboriginal kinship carers across Victoria, giving them the resources, guidance and connections they need to support the health and wellbeing of the children in their care.