Indigenous Families and Children: Coordination and Provision of Services

Abstract

This paper examines service provision, service coordination, Indigenous families and children in Communities for Children sites, identifies factors that facilitate or hinder service provision and outcomes, and considers sustainability issues. The paper documents one of three themed studies undertaken by the National Evaluation Consortium (Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, and the Australian Institute of Family Studies) as part of the national evaluation (2004–08) of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy 2004–09. Research has shown that if Indigenous families’ access to services is to increase, both Indigenous-specific and mainstream services need to be safe, comfortable and culturally appropriate for Indigenous families and children.