Best Start

The Best Start program is intended to provide additional support to people exiting prison with a focus on reuniting and reconnecting parents with their children post-release. This program is targeted for clients who are currently in or coming out of a Correctional Institution, with one party residing within the Brimbank-Melton catchment area. 

What we offer

  • Individual Casework Management provided by qualified social workers
  • Assisting with communication between parties
  • Parenting support and guidance
  • Assisting schools with children who are dealing with a parent post-release
  • A strong network of internal and external referral pathways
  • Close collaboration with commUnity+ Children’s Contact Service
  • Highest standards of ethical and professional conduct

Who is eligible

  • Pre-Release: from 3 months to release date, exemptions may apply to individual cases
  • Post-release: up to 4 months post-release date, exemptions may apply to individual cases
  • All clients referred must have a child/children and require support with reconnecting with their child/children or reconnecting with parents if the child is the person exiting prison.
  • At least one party, the person exiting prison or the child/children, must be residing within the Brimbank/Melton area.

How you can get involved

  • Referral Pathways
  • Partnerships
  • Information sharing
  • Multi-disciplinary collaboration

To refer a client please contact Best Start Project Officer beststart@comm-unityplus.org.a

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