Families
Centacare’s Family Services programs aim to assist families in developing strong, safe, respectful and healthy relationships.
Services include pre-marriage education, family and relationship counselling, support to drought-affected families, support to families with mental health issues, parenting programs, activities to encourage greater involvement of fathers, mediation and post-separation support, with culturally relevant approaches being developed by our Aboriginal team members to support Aboriginal families.
All programs are based on a commitment to child-inclusive practices, ensuring their needs are always considered.
Services
Drought Counseling
Centacare provides support to drought-affected farmers and local businesses through counseling, group programs and community-based gatherings.
Men and Family Relationships
This program aims to assist men by offering counseling, group work and community education to build closer family relationships, increase networks for isolated men and families and to provide support that is relevant and accessible to men.
Family Mental Health Support Service
This program supports families in western NSW coping with a mental illness. It targets young people and Indigenous families, and offers education, support networks, respite and general support.
Pre-marriage education
A four-session program tailored to the specific needs and interests of couples preparing for marriage is offered on request.
Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution
Trained mediators assist couples who are in the process of separating to develop agreements regarding the best interests of their children, and the division of assets.
Personal Support Program
Personalised assistance is provided to people identified by Centrelink as having major barriers to engaging in employment. Assistance is given to help address practical and personal barriers, self-esteem, confidence and life-skills.
Aboriginal Family Health Strategy & Building Stronger Families
Culturally sensitive approaches in support of family relationships in Aboriginal communities formed the basis of the Aboriginal Family Health Strategy and Building Stronger Families.
Financial Counseling
The Financial Counseling service not only provides advice to individuals and businesses, but also offers the Manage Your Income program offering training in financial literacy, specifically for Aboriginal communities.
Carers' Program
The Carers’ program supports carers of children with special needs, through developing support networks and providing information and referral.
Country Mateship
The Country Mateship program is a response to the long, ongoing drought and the impact it is having on our farmers and all affected by the drought.
Three Rivers Art Project
The Three Rivers Art Project launched in June 2008 with the engagement of talented local artist Sean Cassidy, now working with Indigenous artists in central-western NSW to support the development of, and exposure for their work through workshops and mentoring.
Exhibitions of more than 100 original works were successfully staged in November 2008 in both Forbes and Bourke and a further spectacular exhibition was held in Forbes in June 2009.
