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