RELATIONSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES
Catalyst for change One year on from the onset of the pandemic that changed the world, Relationship Support Services (RSS) continues to cleverly adapt supports to meet emerging needs.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, families, individuals and children felt the pinch of a very new way of life. A year later, the strange is more familiar but the demand to adapt and innovate services remains.
In February this year, a Welcome to Country Kaurna language workshop was held at Wandana Community Centre, facilitated by Uncle Frank Wanganeen in collaboration with Morella Community Centre.
Far from abating, the challenges facing regional and metropolitan clients continues to grow in complexity, demanding a renewed resolve from the staff that support them.
More than 100 children shared in the fun of a family day, sponsored by the Morialta Trust, at Wandana, while 162 families attended the Supporting Sole Parents Annual Christmas Party, funded by Variety, the Children's Charity.
To address declining mental health triggered by COVID-19 in children aged 0-12 years, SA Health allocated $50,000 to augment Centacare's capacity to support young clients through existing counselling services. Children have used the support to share their feelings and fears about the pandemic. Demand continues to rise for mediation, family counselling, parenting education, and relationship and post-separation courses. A commitment to integrated collaboration and resource sharing saw RSS actively continue to participate in sector networks and partnerships across the state in 2020-21. We welcomed new schools into the School Counselling Service and National School Chaplaincy Program and, in collaboration with AnglicareSA, delivered Women Are Strong groups at Taikurrendi Children and Family Centre at Christies Beach, and Metropolitan Youth Health Service at Hackham West. In partnership with the Internships and Work Integrated Learning (IWIL) Faculty of Arts at the University of Adelaide, RSS commissioned an evaluation project for Women Are Strong and we keenly await this research. RSS continues to be a strong voice for reconciliation and cultural awareness through attendance at NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week events, and representation on Joining Hands and Minds - a coalition of Aboriginal groups and service providers which works to support and develop Aboriginal children and families in the south of Adelaide.
Meet our sector friends at Joining Hands and Minds https://bit.ly/2We0rgX
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Centacare Catholic Family Services
We welcomed the announcement of five-year funding through the Department of Social Services for Family Relationship Counselling and Supporting Children and Youth, and two-year funding for the Family Connections Program in Mount Gambier. An additional 12-month funding provided by our Communities for Children Facilitating Partners - Anglicare and ac.care Murraylands - will enable our Fathers and Families and Mobile Family Connections programs to continue providing flexible and creative family-based programs at Murray Bridge and Southern Adelaide respectively. Other highlights included Circle of Security training for counsellors, disability inclusion training at Wandana Community Centre facilitated by Purple Orange, and continued collaboration with Emerging Minds. Sadly, June 30 marked the end of Sun Dancing which, for 25 years, provided specialist support for victims of child sexual abuse and their families. I would like to thank and acknowledge our state and federal funders, and the staff, volunteers and students on placement who, under the stewardship of RSS managers, provide steadfast support to our clients throughout the year. Lisa Osborne Executive Manager
117
clients participated in Fathers and Families parenting groups
Family Dispute Resolution supported
727
couples through mediation and postseparation counselling
