The program assists families with children who are in crisis or are in vulnerable situations.This could involve issues such as:
- Family breakdown
- Domestic violence
- Social isolation
- Financial crisis
- Illness
- Substance abuse
- Depression and mental health issues
- Parenting difficulties, including parents with learning difficulties
Clients are assessed and case managed by JewishCare’s professional staff and offered services which will best meet their needs. These services may include:
- Counselling – either family or individual
- Intensive In Home Support - aimed at assisting with overcoming social isolation, teaching parenting and child care skills and increasing the self- esteem of children and adults
- Hardship Assistance – providing food parcels, home cooked meals and other supports.
- Referrals – to other sources of specialist support which may include short term housing, if spaces are available
- Community Education – where appropriate the staff will try to involve families in short courses on relevant issues
- Support Groups – The program runs regular groups on topics including: domestic violence, parents with special needs, grandparents as carers, groups for children and teenagers.
The program utilises volunteers who provide a wide range of supports including making and delivering meals, visiting isolated members of the community etc
If you are interested in becoming assisting the Family Support program - volunteer for JewishCare.
Domestic Violence Response and Prevention
The program assists women and children in domestic violence situations, generally by the provision of casework and counselling by professional social workers.
A first priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of women and children.
This can involve
- Developing a safety plan to provide a safe living environment
- Counselling and emotional support
- Advocacy
- Court support and referral to legal services
- Community education
- Referral to housing services
JewishCare’s Domestic Violence program also includes raising awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence in the Jewish community through early intervention and education.
It is important to realise that Domestic Violence constitutes any form of abusive behaviour that seeks to gain and maintain control over another person’s life.
These behaviours can include
- Physical abuse including sexual abuse or threats Psychological and emotional abuse
- Verbal abuse which threatens, degrades or insults people or pets
- Intimidation and harassment
- Social isolation including being stopped from seeing friends and family
- Financial abuse and being forced to live without money
- Stalking
Police 000
Domestic Violence 24 hour hotline -1800 656 463
NSW Rape Crisis Centre 1800 424 017
Violence Against Women Helpline 1800 200 526
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service 8745 6999
Law Access Line 1300 888 529
Read Article - Australian domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter - PDF
