Merri Outreach Support Service acknowledges that we are on Kulin land for which traditional owners and their forebears have been custodians for many centuries and one on which indigenous people have performed age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We acknowledge their living culture and unique role in the life of this region.

North and West Regional Children's Resource Program (NWRCRP)

The North West Regional Children's Resource Program was developed to assist the homelessness sector in identifying and addressing the specific needs of children experiencing homelessness.  The program provides a range of support to homelessness services in the North and West Metropolitan Region who work with children in homeless families.  Support is provided by:

• The provision of secondary consultation, information, support and resources to workers.
• The development of training for workers and SAAP agencies.
• Conducting research and promoting best practice.
• Advocating on behalf of children experiencing homelessness on a range of issues that affect their health, wellbeing and status within our community.
• Managing a resource library

What we do:

The Program was developed to assist the homelessness sector in identifying and addressing the needs of children experiencing homelessness. The program is statewide with co-coordinators in each metropolitan region and in rural regions as well.

Services:

• Information provision
• Secondary consultation
• Community Development – co- facilitating workshops, activities, forum's and participating in children' specific events and festivals.
• Active involvement in various networks focused on Homelessness Service System Development advocating for children.
• Direct support to Homelessness services in the development of tools, policies and sourcing and facilitation of training that promotes best practice in the support of children and promotion of child safe organisations .
• Data Collection and Research.
• Provision of the Homeless Kids Count Website.
• Support to SAAP agencies with Homelessness Assistance Standards in relation to children's issues.
• Developing partnerships with Indigenous communities to raise the profile and support the specific needs of Indigenous Children.
• Developing partnerships with CALD communities to support the specific needs of CALD children.
• Representation within the Family Violence, Mental Health, Education, Disability, Health and Early Years sectors to raise awareness of the needs of homeless and disadvantaged children.

How to access the program:

Contact Katrina or Halime @ Merri Outreach Support Service (MOSS)
22 Lakeside Drive, Broadmeadows, 3047
Phone 9359-5493
Fax 9357-1090
Email: katrina@merri.org.au or halime@merri.org.au