Building resilient communities

A Place Based Model for Community Led Solutions to complex health and social issues

Australian Research Council
May 2019 – June 2022

Background

This project explores the ways in which Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) contribute to Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

Strongly connected to place, ACCOs have developed unique approaches, partnerships, programs, forms of community engagement and models of service delivery. They operate within a holistic Aboriginal cultural framework or set of principles and offer pragmatic and flexible models of delivery. Their programs access, engage with, deliver Aboriginal services, and provide leadership and capacity building opportunities, all of which are critically important to local Aboriginal communities. However there has been a lack of systematic research, evaluation or understanding of the vital role of ACCOs and this often renders them invisible or insignificant and jeopardises their survival in a competitive funding environment. Few of the innovative models that operate within ACCOs have been theoretically considered, documented or evaluated. This study addresses this knowledge gap and consequently optimises the long term and sustainable impacts of ACCOs on Aboriginal health and wellbeing

This project involves the Aboriginal led investigator team working in partnership with ACCOs across south eastern New South Wales (NSW). We apply a decolonising lens to better understand how Aboriginal organisations successfully operate within, and enable, key networks across social and community contexts; and investigate how, why and under what circumstances, community led programs are effective.

The main aim of the project is to develop an Aboriginal place based model of service delivery, and to share and transfer learnings to locations in Western Australia and Queensland. The study’s research aims will be achieved using a four phase design: Phase one will describe the policy environment; Phase two will use regional case studies to understand and contextualise Aboriginal community controlled approaches; Phase three will co-design a strategy to support the ACCO model; Phase four will translate the learnings from the south-eastern NSW to other locations within Australia.

What we did

During 2019 we conducted three literature reviews. A scoping review of the literature on ACCOs was undertaken determine the number, nature and scope of exiting peer-reviewed literature on ACCOs. In a separate review we identified literature around Aboriginal conceptions of place in relation to health and are conducting a narrative analysis of the results. Additionally we have reviewed how ‘place-based’ is understood and applied by government in their policies, planning and programs of activity.

Ethical approval was obtained from the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW to conduct phases one and two of the project. For phase one we have identified and have commenced a series of semi-structured interviews with key policy stakeholders from regional, state and Commonwealth Government. Work on the regional case studies for phase two commenced in 2020.

A place-based pandemic response to the strengths and vulnerabilities of Aboriginal communities in south-eastern New South Wales

Funding Source: NSW Ministry of Health
Dates: 2020-2023

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in New South Wales (NSW) were  at the forefront of addressing the health and social challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These organisations, already managing

This project explores how urban and regional ACCOs in south-eastern NSW provided rapid and agile response to the pandemic, ensuring ongoing service delivery while overcoming challenges such as limited resources to support vulnerable Aboriginal communities, still recovering from the 2019-20 bushfires. Using a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach, this Aboriginal led study investigates the components of a culturally safe, place-based pandemic response tailored to local community needs.

This study revealed that the place based ACCO sector responded early and flexibly to the COVID-19 crisis, proving their ability to continue to provide a broad range of services, that met the safety, and wellbeing needs of local Aboriginal communities. Rooted deeply in the principles of community control, ACCOs drew from their considerable experience in, local knowledge of families and communities. ACCOs seamlessly integrated crisis response into their holistic place-based service model which encompasses physical, spiritual, emotional, and social health. Factors contributing to their success were: culturally appropriate, trauma informed service delivery; in-depth community engagement; prioritising Elders and vulnerable Community members. The proactive communication from the ACCO sector filled a gap and ensured that the Aboriginal community received targeted culturally safe messages and understood ongoing public health updates. They regularly and consistently translated public health information and provided advice about cluster outbreaks, legislative changes and requirements, lockdown procedures. They provided information to support social and emotional wellbeing and changes to service delivery. ACCOs were hampered at times by poor government planning, and preparedness, and inequitable treatment of vulnerability communities.  An overarching framework for a place-based-based model that enables continued service provision to Aboriginal communities in the context of crisis was developed. The place-based model of crisis response underscores the distinctive approach of ACCO’s in the South Coast of NSW in addressing the challenges posed by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

By addressing this knowledge gap, the study contributes to creating a sustainable, de-centralised protocol for crisis management in Aboriginal communities, ensuring cultural safety and local responsiveness in times of need.

Publications/dissemination

Clapham, K., K. Senior, M. Longbottom, V. Harwood, B. Fredericks, D. Bessarab, P. Kelly, B. Haynes, F. Sheppeard and K. Wellington (2024). "Seeing Jigamy; using an arts-based method to explore the meaning of place for an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation on the South Coast of NSW." Wellbeing, Space and Society 6.

Clapham, K., K. Senior, D. Bessarab, M. Longbottom, B. Fredericks, V. Harwood, F. Sheppeard, Kaitlen Wellington, Bronte Haynes and P. Kelly (2024). "Shifting sands:  Indigenous conceptions of health and place in fragile times." Health and Place 89.

Bessarab, D., K. Clapham, F. Sheppeard, B. Haynes and M. Willis (2023). Reflecting on Aboriginal Community-led solutions to complex health and social issues: Knowledge Translation Workshop. Aboriginal Health Conference. Fremantle WA, Rural Health West.

Caring for Community: Ngaimpe Aboriginal Corporation 'The Glen'

Background

This overall aim of this project is to evaluate the contribution that Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) have on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and their communities wherein they operate. The Glen Centre, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation service operated by the Ngaimpe Aboriginal Corporation, volunteered themselves to be a living case study. The Glen is a 37 bed, residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation service on the Central Coast, NSW. The service model is holistic, addressing addiction recovery from a ‘whole of person’ treatment perspective and a philosophy that seeks to restore people as active members of the community.

A strategic host of community partnerships situates the Glen in the centre of a social network which enables them to direct a raft of services to their clients as they pursue recovery. This network is also reciprocated by the Glen’s clients who provide work and services back to those community groups. The overall outcome of this relationship is the enhancement of client wellbeing and the social health of the community. This service model also ensures that the Glen can continue to operate as a holistic drug and alcohol service, meeting the needs of their community and Indigenous peoples from all over Australia whom are invited into their program.

What we did

A mixed-methods study approach was applied consisting of; surveys, telephone interviews and a focus group, to capture the insights and experiences of the Glens’ key stakeholders, board, staff and volunteers. We thematically analysed these interviews and found a series of themes emerging from them. An overall summary of these themes are that the Glen was described as a unique, diverse and holistic service that changes the lives of each client as well as being an important contributor to the life of the local community. The strongest themes to emerge across all participants were establishment of partnership, connections, maintenance of partnership, and involvement with community.

This project will conclude in early 2019, and has contributed to building an evidence base for the effectiveness of an innovative addiction recovery service, demonstrated the valuable contribution that an ACCHO has to their local community, and how organisational capacity can be built with Aboriginal leadership and through community partnerships.

Healthy Housing: improving communication pathways between housing, health and social services working with Aboriginal families in South East Sydney

January 2019 - December 2019

Background

Housing is a well recognised determinant of health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children impacting infectious disease, injury, developmental progress and social and emotional wellbeing. Social housing services in NSW are significantly overstretched and the social housing system has been described by many Aboriginal families and health service providers as opaque and particularly difficult to navigate. Despite this, there is no established effective care pathway to connect agencies providing housing, health and social services to Aboriginal families in South East Sydney; nor are there systematic communication mechanisms between these services.

The aim of this project was to develop and trial an enhanced health and housing care pathway to improve the identification and communication of housing issues for Aboriginal families accessing services in other sectors (e.g. health, education, community services). The purpose of this enhanced pathway is to improve the efficiency, transparency and coordination of multi-sector service provision to ultimately improve health, housing and social outcomes for Aboriginal families.

What we did

This observational study collected data over two phases. Phase 1 involved interviews with key stakeholders (health service providers, community service providers, housing providers, housing tenancy advocates). Participants were recruited through a snowball sampling process.

Phase 2 involved yarning sessions with families; participants were recruited through invitation in close consultation with participating community organisations. Co-design of referral pathways also occurred in Phase 2 through development and feedback sessions with key stakeholders (recruited from Phase 1 interviews and yarning sessions with families).

Evaluation of the Ngaramura ‘See the Way’ Project

Global Challenges Program
Duration: April 2018 – March 2020

Background

In 2018 the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation invited researchers from the Ngarruwan Ngadju research team to evaluate the Ngaramura (Supportive Pathways for Indigenous children in Schooling and Employment) program. This project pilot addresses the educational needs of disengaged youth in the Illawarra region. In collaboration with the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation and the project’s steering committee, the research team is conducting an evaluation which focuses on the delivery of the program at the Coomaditchie Hall in Kemblawarra, over a 12 month period.

What we did

The evaluation is being conducted in a staged approach. In Stage 1 we developed a program logic model which clearly described the inputs, activities, participants and the short, medium and long term expected outcomes of the project, through a series of interviews with key stakeholders. The evaluation framework also developed in Stage 1 set out the key questions for the evaluation and identified data sources for the evaluation. Stages 2 and 3 involved conducting a program evaluation over a 12 month period utilising the following sources of program and qualitative data:

• De-identified routinely collected program data
• Individual interviews with parents / carers of past and present students
• Group and individual interviews with Ngaramura staff
• Group and individual yarns with current and past program participants (secondary school students)
• Onsite observation of the Ngaramura program
• Interviews with school staff from the five participating schools.

Due to additional funding the Ngaramura pilot program has been extended. We have therefore extended the data collection period and expect to report on the evaluation towards the end of 2020.

The School Kids Aboriginal Mentoring Program (SKAMP): Cultural mentoring with Indigenous male students (years 5-8) in Dapto & Shellharbour areas

UOW Community Engagement Grants Scheme
Duration: January 2019 – December 2019

Background

In this project we worked in collaboration with the Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group (IKMSG) to deliver and evaluate a culturally safe program for Aboriginal students in Years 5-8 as they transition from primary to secondary school. The School Kids Aboriginal Mentoring Program (SKAMP) involved Local Aboriginal Elders leading education and mentoring sessions to young people. They focused on Aboriginal culture and the importance of respect. The project also enhanced the capacity of the organisation as the Board and UOW staff worked together towards a replicable self-sustaining model of service. The partnership between the IKMSG and UOW helped to enhance the research and evaluation capacity of the Aboriginal organisation. It also helped build an evidence base about what works within the Aboriginal Community Control sector.

What we did

This project contributed to the building of capacity of IKMSG board and staff. It established new service delivery to a new target audience. A close relationship was built with a local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, and a program was established that positions Elders as mentors in their communities. A final report was submitted to the Communities and Partnerships in December 2019.

Understanding the issues related to housing for Aboriginal People living on the Far South Coast

Funding: Global Challenges
Dates: Current

The objectives for the project are to privilege and prioritise Aboriginal community voices in understanding and prioritising the issues faced by Aboriginal people regarding housing on the far south coast, analyse the available data on housing for Aboriginal people living on the far south coast and highlight the strengths and limitations of the current housing situation for Aboriginal people living on the far south coast.

This research project is Indigenous led and will embody Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being in the methodology. The findings of this research project will be community informed and used to highlight the significant issues regarding housing that Aboriginal communities face. 

Youth Community Greening: Evaluating ‘Greener on the Outside’

Funding Source: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
Dates: April 2023 - June 2024

Background:

The Youth Community Greening – Greener on the Outside program engages Aboriginal children and youth from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds by providing hands on learning experiences through school-based gardening projects. Designed as an early intervention initiative under the safer community fund round 6, the program aims to support at risk young people by fostering life skills, promoting inclusion and strengthening community resilience.

By creating culturally safe and engaging outdoor learning spaces, the program provides Indigenous students with opportunities to connect with Country, develop practical skills, and improve overall wellbeing. The program also serves as a crime prevention strategy, offering a constructive alternative to disengagement and anti-social behaviour, with the broader goal of reducing the risk of young people becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

Despite the clear benefits of outdoor and culturally responsive education, there has been limited evaluation of such programs in the Australian context. Understanding the effectiveness of Greener on the Outside in fostering engagement, skill development, and cultural connection is crucial to informing future program delivery and expansion.

What we did:

An Aboriginal led research team from Ngarruwan Ngadju First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Wollongong conducted an 18-month program evaluation using a collaborative, Indigenous research approach. The evaluation applied a strengths-based methodology, integrating Aboriginal leadership and governance, and prioritising cultural protocols in stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis.

Over a 23-month period, the program was successfully implemented across 16 high schools in NSW engaging 309 students, including 229 Aboriginal young people. The evaluation assessed the program’s impact across key domains: participation and engagement, cultural connection, skills development, behavioural change, the creation of culturally safe learning spaces, and employment pathways.

Findings indicated strong engagement, with students regularly attending and actively participating in gardening activities. The program played a key role in strengthening cultural identity and connection to place, particularly among Indigenous students. The outdoor learning environment provided a supportive space for students, especially those with high behavioural needs, to self-regulate and manage their behaviour effectively. Additionally,  a reduction in anti-social behaviour was observed, highlighting the program’s value as a crime prevention initiative.

The program’s success was attributed to the expertise and cultural knowledge of the staff delivering it. Given the positive outcomes, there is a strong potential for program expansion to additional schools, including those with fewer Indigenous students, where an increased level of Indigenous cultural knowledge could benefit the broader school community.

Final Report: Clapham, K., M. Willis, D. Douglas Wu and B. Haynes (2024). Youth community Greening - Greener on the Outside: Program Evaluation. Wollongong, Ngarruwan Ngadju First Peoples Health & Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Wollongong.