Micah Projects understands the important role that a positive family life can play in supporting individuals, bringing meaning to lives, and giving children the best possible start in life.

For over two decades Micah Projects has been working with vulnerable families in Brisbane to help develop and maintain healthy, stable, positive family lives that provide all members with the opportunity to thrive.

As with all Micah Projects’ programs devoted to maintaining successful tenancies we adopt a holistic, evidence-based approach which recognises that issues related to housing, health, social isolation, employment, education and income are all interconnected, and that solutions to these challenges require an integrated approach.

Our Families, Women and Children programs cover a range of interconnected services including housing and homelessness, healthcare (including mental health), early childhood and parent education, and domestic violence intervention.

Mother and baby at a Young Mothers for Young Women group. Photography: Katie Bennett.

We develop and implement evidence-based programs that work in partnership with families. Our programs operate a mutual respect model, and we demonstrate our respect for families through listening, outreaching, building relationships, developing understanding, creating realistic plans and working together to provide opportunities for women, their children and partners to achieve their aspirations as individuals and as a family.

We aspire to provide services to families appropriate to their age and composition ensuring that they have the best possible opportunities to:

• access housing and create a home
• have safe and healthy relationships as a family, supported through practical assistance and education
• access education, training and employment.

Micah Projects offer a range of programs which aspire to assist children by assisting their parents to:

• nurture their children from pregnancy to birth and throughout childhood, with quality healthcare
• understand the needs of children in early childhood
• become active participants in their children’s and their own formal and informal education and learning
• access quality early childhood education and childcare
• support their children to be school ready and
• support their children in school retention
• demonstrate healthy relationships and create a healthy, supportive, non-violent environment in which children are able to thrive.

We are committed to working alongside parents to access services, resources and opportunities in the community and to provide them with the support they require to meet their aspirations and recover from adversity or crisis when it occurs.

Our programs also provide support to connect and encourage collaboration between the varied systems and support services that are significantly impacting on a family’s life at any given time, such as child protection, family law, domestic violence orders, justice, income support, education and healthcare.

Micah Projects receives funding from the Queensland Government through the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors, the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women and the Department of Housing and Public Works to provide prevention services to young women, their children and partners, and families at risk of homelessness or currently experiencing homelessness.

Donations are always appreciated and those over $2 are tax deductible.

Micah Projects is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). We are a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.

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Micah Projects is committed to supporting young women, who are pregnant and/or parenting, to grow and develop as individuals and as mothers in a supportive, respectful environment.

Young Mothers for Young Women (YMYW) has been supporting young Brisbane mothers for over twenty years. We work in partnership with the Mater Mothers Hospital in the provision of integrated support.

YMYW assists young, pregnant and parenting women, 25 years and under, along with their children and families. The team incorporates peer and professional support, to assist young pregnant and parenting women in practical ways, allowing them to participate, socially and economically within their community.

At YMYW we celebrate and support young parents! Our service incorporates a peer-mentoring model where our Peer Support Workers are experts on young parenting because they are young parents themselves. They bring knowledge, skills, experience and understanding to the program. Read Hayley’s story.

The YMYW service celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015.

Who we work with

YMYW is available to young women, 25 years and under, who are pregnant and/or parenting and residing in the Brisbane City Council area. Young women who are pregnant and living in the Mater Mothers' catchment area (Brisbane South) may also be eligible for antenatal care via the Young Mothers Partnership Program (YMPP).

What we do

YMYW offers:

• access to specialist antenatal services and midwifery care
• peer-led education
• individualised, planned family support and advocacy services
• a dynamic early childhood education program
• mothers' groups specifically designed for young mothers
• referral to other services providing health, housing, income, legal and relationship advice and support
• school readiness support through the Parents as Teachers (PAT) home visitation program.

Micah Projects adopts a holistic, evidence-based approach across all our programs. We recognise issues related to housing, health, social isolation, employment, education and income are interconnected, and solutions require an integrated approach.

Young Mothers for Young Women group. Photography: Katie Bennett.

Next steps

We are committed to helping young women who are pregnant and parenting wherever possible. To find out more about YMYW, please contact us.

The Evidence

Micah Projects is devoted to delivering programs that achieve maximum positive impact, by drawing on the best available evidence-based research.

Key research and best-practice frameworks used to develop and review our YMYW service include:

• Micah Projects Child Aware Approaches Project Literature Review Authors: Clare Tilbury, Peter Walsh and Jennifer Osmond, Griffith University School of Human Services and Social Work, 2013.
• Micah Projects Practice Framework – Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults Developed by Micah Projects, January 2013
• Implementation matters: Using implementation frameworks to improve outcomes for children and families Developed by Parenting Research Centre, January 2013
• Getting What you Want! A Peer Guide to Parenting Adele Renwick and Sharon Gyde, Shiloh Watts, Anna MacRae and Susan Timbs
  A guide for young parents written by young women who are parents, 2004.

Investment

The program is funded by the Queensland Government through the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.

Donations are always appreciated and those over $2 are tax deductible.

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Micah Projects is committed to supporting young women, who are pregnant and/or parenting, to grow and develop as individuals and as mothers in a supportive, respectful environment.

Caboolture Young Mothers for Young Women (YMYW) works in partnership with the Caboolture Hospital in the provision of integrated support.

Caboolture YMYW assists young, pregnant and parenting women, 20 years and under, along with their children and families. The team incorporates peer and professional support, to assist young pregnant and parenting women in practical ways, allowing them to participate, socially and economically within their community.

At Caboolture YMYW we celebrate and support young parents! Our service incorporates a peer-mentoring model where our Peer Support Workers are experts on young parenting because they are young parents themselves. They bring knowledge, skills, experience and understanding to the program.

A video, Supporting Young Mums to Know Their Legal Rights, has been developed by Women's Legal Service Queensland with Micah Projects’ Young Mothers for Young Women Group. The video is for individuals and organisations supporting young women by providing information and referrals relevant to young mothers regarding their legal rights.

Read Destynee’s story.

Portrait of Destynee. Photography: Katie Bennett.

Our sister service Young Mothers for Young Women in Brisbane celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015.

Who we work with

Caboolture Young Mothers for Young Women is available to young women, 20 years and under, who are pregnant and/or parenting and residing in the Caboolture and Morayfield regions. We also support their partners and children.

What we do

Caboolture Young Mothers for Young Women offers:

• supported referral and access to specialist antenatal services and midwifery care
• peer-led education
• individualised, planned family support and advocacy services
• a dynamic early childhood education program
• mothers' groups specifically designed for young mothers
• referral to other services providing health, housing, income, legal and relationship advice and support
• school readiness support for children through the Parents as Teachers (PAT) home visitation program.

Micah Projects adopts a holistic, evidence-based approach across all our programs. We recognise issues related to housing, health, social isolation, employment, education and income are interconnected, and solutions require an integrated approach.

Read the snapshot of outcomes from the beginning of the service in May 2018 until February 2020.

Next steps

We are committed to helping young women who are pregnant and parenting wherever possible. To find out more about Caboolture Young Mothers for Young Women please contact us.

The Evidence

Micah Projects is devoted to delivering programs that achieve maximum positive impact, by drawing on the best available evidence-based research.

Key research and best-practice frameworks used to develop and review our YMYW service include:

• Micah Projects Child Aware Approaches Project Literature Review Authors: Clare Tilbury, Peter Walsh and Jennifer Osmond, Griffith University School of Human Services and Social Work, 2013.
• Micah Projects Practice Framework – Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults Developed by Micah Projects, January 2013
• Implementation matters: Using implementation frameworks to improve outcomes for children and families Developed by Parenting Research Centre, January 2013
• Getting What you Want! A Peer Guide to Parenting Adele Renwick and Sharon Gyde, Shiloh Watts, Anna MacRae and Susan Timbs A guide for young parents written by young women who are parents, 2004.

Investment

The program is funded by the Queensland Government through the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors and the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.

Donations are always appreciated and those over $2 are tax deductible.

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Micah Projects is committed to supporting Brisbane woman and children, to ensure they feel safe and free from fear of domestic and family violence.

Our Brisbane Domestic Violence Service (BDVS) team is a first port of call for woman and children experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic and family violence.

If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, please call 3217 2544.

If you are currently in an emergency situation call the Police on 000.

Visit the Brisbane Domestic Violence Service Website

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Micah Projects is part of a consortium of service providers who work to support people at risk of homelessness to maintain their existing tenancy or accommodation where possible, and/or to access more sustainable accommodation for the future where appropriate.

We provide support for private and public tenants to sustain their tenancies through a range of services including tenancy support, advocacy, case management, financial counselling and referral services.

These services reflect the Micah Projects strategy to:

• respond to a crisis early to prevent an individual or family from becoming homeless
• provide rapid rehousing options where appropriate to minimise the length of time homelessness is experienced
• help individuals and families to navigate what long-term sustainable housing options are available and affordable for them
• provide access to integrated post-housing support in order to prevent a return to homelessness.

Who we work with

Individuals and families with children under 18 who:

• are currently in rental accommodation or housing, either private or public
• are at risk of not maintaining a tenancy, or are currently experiencing homelessness
• have persistent symptoms, significant functional impairment and psychosocial disability, and may have become disconnected from social or family support networks
• are at risk of not maintaining a tenancy.

What we do

We provide a range of very practical support services designed to help individuals and families find and sustain appropriate housing.

We offer in-person support to:

• identify individual and family needs
• develop and prioritise housing goals
• manage income, budgets and any existing debts, and access financial counselling where appropriate through our referral network
• access the correct support and assistance entitlements
• use your own income to access safe, affordable, ongoing short-term accommodation and ultimately long-term housing
• develop and maintain links with services needed to achieve your housing and related individual/family goals, such as health, education, training and employment goals
• help communicate with organisations regarding issues which may be impacting on your life such as child protection, income support, education, child care, corrections, employment and training
• access legal support and advice relating to tenancy matters through referrals
• negotiate positive housing outcomes when disputes arise
• end tenancies positively when it is time to move on
• assist with the One Social Housing application process where necessary.

We adopt a holistic, evidence-based approach that recognises issues related to housing, health, social isolation, employment, education and income are all interconnected, and that solutions to these challenges require an integrated approach.

“It was a major win for us, the moment we were able to walk out of that hotel room,” Katrina Parson. Photography: Craig Holmes.

Next steps

To find out more, including eligibility criteria for individuals and families, please contact us.

If in doubt, call. We are committed to helping people experiencing a housing crisis, ether directly or by providing information about the best organisation to contact.

The Evidence

Micah Projects is devoted to delivering programs that achieve maximum positive impact by drawing on the best evidence-based research available for the prevention and ending of homelessness.

Key research and best-practice frameworks that we have drawn upon when developing and reviewing our service include:

• A Housing First approach to homelessness in Brisbane; Sustaining tenancies and the cost effectiveness of support services A three year research project by Carolyn Mason and Dr Peter Grimbeek, 2014.
• Micah Projects Child Aware Approaches Project Literature Review Authors: Clare Tilbury, Peter Walsh and Jennifer Osmond, Griffith University School of Human Services and Social Work, 2013.
• Micah Projects Practice Framework – Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults Developed by Micah Projects, January 2013
• Implementation matters: Using implementation frameworks to improve outcomes for children and families Developed by Parenting Research Centre, January 2013

Investment

The program is funded by the Queensland Government Department of Housing and Public Works.

Donations are always appreciated and those over $2 are tax deductible.

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Experiencing homelessness, or being at risk of homelessness is a highly emotional and challenging experience. Micah Projects understands this is particularly so for families with children.

While Micah Projects does not have housing stock of its own to provide to people experiencing homelessness, and does not operate a shelter or emergency accommodation service, we do provide a range of support services to help people prevent homelessness and ensure no children find themselves sleeping on the street. Since 2001, no child experiencing homelessness that Micah Projects has encountered has continued to sleep rough.

Our team members have extensive knowledge and experience in the delivery of services and support to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including for families with children under 18.

Who we work with

Family crisis support is available to families who:

• are currently experiencing homelessness or
• are currently in rental accommodation or housing, either private or public and at risk of not maintaining a tenancy, and
• have children under 18 as part of their family unit.

Read Rebecca's story.

What we do

Micah Projects can assist families to:

• access existing emergency and transitional housing services
• investigate private, public or community housing options which are affordable and permanent
• discuss your housing situation and develop a plan to move beyond crisis and homelessness
• identify the best option for emergency or transition accommodation for all members of the family, ensuring safety and support
• help encourage connections and collaborations between the varied support services a family may be currently working with
• navigate the One Social Housing process and/or ensure your existing housing application is current
• access outreach family support while in emergency accommodation
• establish a home with furniture, white goods and/or access to belongings to create a new family home
• negotiate and link with services to ensure your safety, if required
• negotiate positive outcomes with the various systems that are having an impact on your family life such as child protection, family law, income support, education, training and employment, healthcare, justice systems and child care.

Key service providers with whom Micah Projects have a collaborative partnership with, and who we may refer people to include:

• Department of Housing and Public Works
• Inclusive Health
• Centrelink
• Tenants Queensland
• Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House
• Common Ground Queensland.

While we can refer individuals and families in need to the most appropriate people for support services, we can act as the as a primary contact point, liaise with partners to help people stay on track towards safe and affordable long-term housing.

At Micah projects we believe that every child and adult has the right to a home, an income, healthcare, education, safety, dignity and connection with their community of choice. Illustration: Jonathan Bentley.

Next steps

We are available to provide information and advice over the phone from 8am to 5pm, 7 days a week. Information and advice is available to people in crisis or people looking to refer someone for support. Contact us.

The Evidence

Micah Projects is devoted to delivering programs that achieve maximum positive impact by drawing on the best evidence-based research available for the prevention and ending of homelessness.

Key research and best-practice frameworks that we have drawn upon when developing and reviewing our service include:

• A Housing First approach to homelessness in Brisbane; Sustaining tenancies and the cost effectiveness of support services A three year research project by Carolyn Mason and Dr Peter Grimbeek, 2014.
• A study of crisis intervention and planned family support with vulnerable families Author: Professor Karen Healy, University of Queensland, December 2011
• Micah Projects Practice Framework – Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults Developed by Micah Projects, January 2013
• Implementation matters: Using implementation frameworks to improve outcomes for children and families Developed by Parenting Research Centre, January 2013

Investment

The program is funded by the Queensland Government through the Department of Housing and Public Works and the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors.

Donations are always appreciated and those over $2 are tax deductible.

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Micah Projects understands the importance of high quality, inclusive, evidence-based early childhood education in order to give a child the best start in life.

It is even more imperative for children at risk of experiencing homelessness, those experiencing domestic and family violence, and children of young mothers.

Most recently Micah Projects has implemented a two-generational Parents as Teachers early intervention model into our current support services for families at risk of or experiencing homelessness and for young women (25 years and under) who are pregnant and/or parenting. This early childhood education model is designed to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty.

Parents as Teachers is an evidence-based early childhood model for children from ante-natal to five years that works with parents and children together to emphasise family wellbeing, parent-child interactions and development-centred parenting. The approach is designed to assist parents to learn more about their child’s development in order to help them provide the best possible start in life and to feel more confident in their own parenting abilities.

Delivery of the Parents as Teachers model includes working together with parents and children in their own homes, as well as in group connection activities with other families.

Micah Projects chose to implement this model following significant research and evaluation into its efficacy as an early intervention strategy. We are one of the first organisations in Australia to train our family support and early childhood workers in the application of the full Parents as Teachers curriculum.

Parents as Teachers complements the early intervention program with young pregnant and parenting women, which is funded by the Queensland Government Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors.

For more information, please view the Parents as Teachers factsheet or contact us.

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Micah Projects adopts a holistic, evidence-based approach that recognises issues related to housing, health, social isolation, employment, education and income are all interconnected, and that solutions to these challenges require an integrated approach.

We are committed to the provision of services to help vulnerable people to engage with and feel connected to their community of choice. Benefits of social inclusion programs can include:

• a growing support network of family and friends
• enhanced fitness and healthy lifestyle
• improved tenancy or accommodation retention
• improved independent living skills
• a developed confidence to undertake training, education, and paid or voluntary work.

Micah Projects incorporates social inclusion in all our programs and we have a dedicated social inclusion program called The Hive.

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The Hive program supports individuals with In-Home Supports and Community Connections to maintain or regain their independence so they can continue to live safely in their home and actively participate in their communities. This vital part of Micah Projects social inclusion agenda works within the South Brisbane metropolitan area.

Who we work with

The Hive supports people who are within the South Brisbane catchment area and:

• are deemed eligible for specialist support services by the Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS)
• are under 65 (or under 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) living in the community and experiencing social isolation
• are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• have a long term disability, chronic illness, mental health or other condition that impacts on their day to day functional capacity and ability to participate in the community
• are transitioning from homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

What we do

The Hive workers provide support for people to live as independently and safely as possible in their home. We assist individuals to have increased opportunities for participation in the community.

As with all Micah Projects’ programs The Hive adopts a holistic, evidence-based approach which includes fostering a healthy sense of identity, including a sense of role and purpose in personal and community life for each participant.

Next steps

To apply to access The Hive services please contact the QCSS Access Point: phone 1800 600 300 or email QCSSaccesspoint@ozcare.org.au

QCSS Access Point staff will assess QCSS eligibility and determine the support needed for an individual to remain living independently in their home. Read more about the Queensland Community Support Scheme on the Queensland Government’s website.

The Evidence

Micah Projects is devoted to delivering programs that achieve maximum positive impact by drawing on the best evidence-based research available.

The Hive was born after a need was identified by the Micah Projects Quality, Innovation and Performance team following research carried out with a number of people who had recently been housed, called the Housing First approach to homelessness in Brisbane: Sustaining tenancies and the cost effectiveness of support services.

The research identified that a sense of social inclusion helps people remain housed and not fall back in to a cycle of homelessness. The individuals surveyed identified loneliness as the dominant issue they faced once settled in permanent or long term accommodation.

Investment

The program is funded through Queensland Government's Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS). The Hive in particular is tasked to work with people living in the South Brisbane metropolitan area.

Donations are always appreciated and those over $2 are tax deductible.

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Micah Projects’ Hope Street Café and Hope on Boundary Café are not-for-profit social enterprises. The cafés also host functions and offer a catering service.

Through the cafés we provide opportunities for people facing barriers to employment to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience in the hospitality industry. We also collaborate with local training providers, cafés and restaurants to build supported pathways to employment and a sustainable livelihood.

Visit the Hope Street Café website.

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