Palmerston Association in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, have won the competitive tender to deliver Solid Steps AOD Recovery Program within the brand new Recovery and Rehabilitation Community Unit at Casuarina Prison.

This new partnership has drawn on agency strengths and expertise in residential and community alcohol and other drug programs, adult justice, Aboriginal engagement and case management to design and deliver a tailored, culturally competent and evidence-based Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Program to 128 prisoners that is based on therapeutic community principles. The program will commence in October 2020.

Palmerston Association and Wungening Aboriginal Corporation (the Partnership) currently deliver a range of programs and services funded by State and Federal agencies and commissioning bodies that either directly or indirectly relate to AOD and related issues in institutional, residential and community settings. This collective experience, capability and capacity means that the Partnership has a sound understanding of the current issues that impact on people within the prison system and the rehabilitation of adult offenders.

Lead agency, Palmerston’s CEO Emma Jarvis said “the partnership is committed to working closely with the Department of Justice to ensure the effectiveness of the model and to collaborate on evaluation and ongoing quality improvement of the service. We are committed to working in a holistic way, to get better outcomes for program participants as they address their alcohol and other drug needs, work on their recovery goals and transition back into the community after a time in Casuarina prison”.

Daniel Morrison, CEO of Wungening said “this partnership compliments and enhances the scope of holistic and culturally secure services that Wungening already deliver within the Criminal Justice System. Wungening leads the ReSet consortium of four NGO’s, delivering ReSet reintegration, accommodation, family and parenting services. I believe this promotes further integration when Solid Steps AOD Recovery Program and Reset are joined up so that the overall impact reflects an inclusive response that is all encompassing of the individual entities.”

Who are the partnership members?

Palmerston Association: Established in 1980, Palmerston has nearly 40 years of experience, developing a strong reputation for delivering evidence based Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services. Palmerston provides a range of services to individuals, families and communities supporting both AOD and mental health problems through counselling, family support, group work, outreach, educational initiatives, and adult residential rehabilitation in 10 locations throughout the metropolitan and Great Southern region. Palmerston has two residential rehabilitation services, known as therapeutic communities with one in the southern suburbs of Perth and one in the South West.

Wungening Aboriginal Corporation (formerly the Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Service (AADS): An Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation based in Perth with over 30 years of operation, Wungening’s vision is a healthy, safe, strong and sustainable Aboriginal community. Our purpose is to provide culturally secure holistic programs that address the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) on individuals, families and communities; and strengthen the mind and body, and heal the spirit. Wungening provides counselling, family support services, youth and adult justice programs, manages four prison Family Visitors Centres and a refuge for women and children escaping family violence. Wungening is the only Aboriginal controlled (ACCO) alcohol and other drug service and refuge in the Metropolitan / South West regions, and the first ACCO to be funded as the lead agency of two large consortia.

Contact Emma Jarvis, CEO, Palmerston on 0432 164 386 or Daniel Morrison CEO Wungening on 0409113438 for further information.

We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of this land upon which we walk together.
We recognise that Palmerston and Wungening services are located on Nyoongar country.