Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification Response
Meli helps families as part of the government’s Victorian and Aboriginal Family Preservation and Reunification Response. The response is a referral-only program that supports families with children at risk of being placed into care services, or with children who have recently entered out-of-home care.
Our team supports families to create and maintain a safe environment for children. We aim to assist families in crisis and help children stay at home and out of external care arrangements, if possible.
We provide one-on-one mentoring for parents to learn effective parenting skills. We connect parents with other services they need such as family violence counselling, mental health support, and drug and alcohol support.
Once families are connected to the program, we tailor rapid and intensive support to their needs. This includes regular contact and in-home visits.
Meli delivers the program in partnership with other specialist support agencies to families in the Barwon and South West areas. Our work with Aboriginal families is delivered in partnership with local Aboriginal organisations.
The Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification Response is funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services until June 2023.
Who is it for?
Geelong, Warrnambool and Wimmera regions
Families
Referral required
How to access this service
Families must be referred by Child Protection to Victorian Family Preservation and Reunification Response services. Speak to your child protection worker to find out if you are eligible.
If you do not have a child protection worker, contact the Orange Door (Barwon or South west region) to discuss your needs and they will support you to access the most appropriate service. You don’t need a referral to contact these services and they are free.
Geelong/Barwon region: Orange Door on 1800 312 820
Warrnambool/South west region: Orange Door on 1800 271 180
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes the program operates between 7am and 7pm.
Practitioners will work out a home visit/contact schedule that works for you and supports you to meet the needs of your family, this could be up to 10 hours per week of direct contact with a worker.
We work closely with families and child protection practitioners to support families. We can work with families who do not have their children in their care, if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Further resources
Barwon Orange Door
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
Visit orangedoor.vic.gov.au for more information.
- For families requiring support, please contact an Orange Door Intake Practitioner on 1800 312 820.
- If you are a professional and wish to make a referral to The Orange Door, please email barwon@orangedoor.vic.gov.au
- The Orange Door is located at 83 Moorabool Street, Geelong
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