Services
Micah Projects provides a range of support and advocacy services to individuals and families according to their needs and capacity.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read the Parson's Family story.
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.
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.
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 EvidenceMicah 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.
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 is committed to supporting Brisbane women 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 women and children experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic and family violence.
If you or a family member or friend are experiencing domestic and family violence, please call (07) 3217 2544. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are currently in an emergency situation call the Police on 000.
BDVS provides information and referral, crisis support, practical assistance, advocacy, counselling and emotional support. We work to provide a safe environment in which people can access our services to meet their needs - over the phone, on-line, or via in-person visits in the home or at a nominated safe place.
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Micah Projects is committed to ending homelessness in Brisbane: one person, one family at a time.
Our Home for Good housing and support service is a first port of call for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
If you are currently experiencing a housing crisis, we are the people to call. You can phone us 7 days on (07) 3036 4444.
Our Home for Good service works to prevent and end homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness are met and their rights protected.
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Micah Projects is committed to supporting individuals, who experienced childhood abuse in an institutional setting, by being present with them in seeking justice and healing.
Lotus Place is a dedicated resource centre for people who experienced institutional abuse. The centres provide opportunity, resources and services to people who are seeking connection and support through a shared understanding of the impact of the betrayal of trust on their childhood, with life-long consequences on their quality of life as adults.
Lotus Place exists in three locations, Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville from which outreach to surrounding communities occurs through an integrated funding response by the Australian and Queensland governments. Lotus Place is part of the National network of Find and Connect services.
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The National Redress Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
The Scheme was developed in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Participation in the Scheme is an important step towards recognition, respect and support for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. It also holds institutions accountable for this abuse.
The Scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.
The scheme can provide:
- a monetary payment
- access to counselling
- a direct personal response – such as an apology from the responsible institution (or institutions) either in writing or in person.
Applying for Redress
Lotus Support Services–Micah Projects can assist people to apply for Redress.
You can apply to the National Redress Scheme if you:
- experienced institutional child sexual abuse when you were a child (under 18 years of age), and
- experienced the sexual abuse before 1 July 2018, and
- were born before 30 June 2010, and are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
View Lotus Support Services factsheet.
Please contact us if you would like support to apply for Redress.
Please visit the National Redress Scheme website or the Queensland Government’s participation in the National Redress Scheme webpage for more information.
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Lotus Support Services Counselling and Support Services provides confidential counselling and support for people engaging with or affected by the Disability Royal Commission into Violence Abuse Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
Micah Projects’ Lotus Support Services is a Queensland state-wide service and is free, independent and confidential.
The service is available to any individual who lives with disability, as well as family members, guardians, carers and staff who are impacted by the work of the Disability Royal Commission.
Lotus Support Services offers targeted counselling services for individuals who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse as well as individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer+.
Services may be delivered face to face, by telephone or online, depending on need and location.
For information about Lotus Support Services
In order to discuss how Lotus Support Services can meet your need for counselling and support please contact us.
View Lotus Support Services factsheet.
About the Disability Royal Commission
On 5 April 2019, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP and former Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, announced the establishment of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission).
In Australia, royal commissions are the highest form of inquiry on matters of public importance.
The Disability Royal Commission wants to hear from the Australian community about experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. People can make a submission to the Disability Royal Commission – by telephone, email or through their website, or attend a hearing or community forum at various locations across the Australia.
If you would like support to share your experiences with the Royal Commission, we are here to assist. View our factsheet about how we can assist you. Please contact us for further information.
For information about the work of the Disability Royal Commission, including attending public hearings or making a submission you can also call 1800 517 199 or visit the Disability Royal Commission website.
Lotus Support Service Counselling and Support Services for individuals engaging with the Disability Royal Commission receives funding from the Department of Social Services.
Lotus Support Services. Photography: Katie Bennett.
Free legal advice
Your Story Disability Legal Support is a free national legal service. They provide legal information and advice to people about safely sharing their story with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. They are independent from the Disability Royal Commission.
The service is delivered by National Legal Aid and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services. They support people with disability, their families, carers, supporters and advocates.
You can call Your Story on 1800 77 1800 to obtain information and to organise legal advice.
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Micah Projects’ Integrated Healthcare provides an integrated, person-centred and trauma-sensitive response to the health needs of vulnerable people in Brisbane, including people experiencing homelessness.
The integration of nurses into Micah Projects teams is informed by a social model of health that recognises that a broad range of social factors, in addition to the presence or absence of disease, impact upon people’s health. In adopting a Housing First approach, healthcare, housing and social support services are delivered to achieve improved outcomes for people who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness.
Micah Projects teams provide linkage to the Inclusive Health and Wellness Hub which is dedicated to ensuring people experiencing disadvantage in Brisbane have access to quality physical, dental, mental health and holistic healthcare services irrespective of their ability to pay.
The Street to Home After Hours Nursing Service and the Pathways Hospital Admission and Discharge Pilot Program have demonstrated significant cost savings.
Home for Good
Under the Home for Good banner nursing care is provided in parks, public space, boarding houses, people’s homes and in the community to address acute and chronic health needs.
Nursing interventions may include:
- health assessments
- direct nursing care including assistance with medication, wound care, health education, mental health support, chronic disease management
- liaising with hospital and primary care services
- care co-ordination and linkage to:
- general practitioners
- specialist services such as mental health, drug and alcohol treatment services, palliative care
- allied health
- dental services
- aged care
- advocacy
- collaborating with team members around housing and social support interventions
- support and assistance to meet hospital discharge planning and follow-up care goals
- case conferencing with hospital partners.
Street to Home
The Street to Home team delivers health, housing and social support to people who are rough sleeping and to those who have made a transition from homelessness to housing, but who require ongoing and consistent social support and healthcare.
The Street to Home After Hours Nurses along with Street to Home Support and Advocacy workers provide integrated outreach services operating seven nights per week 6pm – 12pm across Brisbane.
The Street to Home Community Health Nurse works Monday to Friday as part of the Street to Home Team to provide direct nursing care, care coordination and case management of vulnerable people with complex health and social support needs.
Video by Katie Bennett
The Street to Home Integrated Nursing Services are funded by Brisbane South PHN and Brisbane North PHN.
Custom fitted health vans and additional daytime nursing capacity are funded by the Brisbane City Council.
Brisbane Common Ground
Integrated healthcare is a key component of Micah Projects supportive housing services provided at Brisbane Common Ground to support people to maintain their tenancies and prevent a return to homelessness.
Nurses employed by Mater Health, and funded by St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane, Mater Health and Mater Foundation provide seven-day-a-week nursing care as part of the Supportive Housing Hope Street team.
Integrated Healthcare and Supportive Housing
In 2016 Dr Cameron Parsell conducted an evaluative study examining an Integrated Healthcare and Supportive Housing model at Brisbane Common Ground. Read Integrated Healthcare and Supportive Housing.
Andy, Micah Projects Supportive Housing Worker; Kellie, Brisbane Common Ground (BCG) tenant and Arif, BCG Integrated Nursing Service Clinical Nurse. Photographer: Lachie Douglas.
The Micah Projects Working Together to Connect Care Community Response
The objectives of this Hospital and Community response are to:
- reduce the number of unnecessary presentations to Emergency Departments at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) and The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) through the provision of a targeted community health, housing and social connection response
- facilitate communication across stakeholders that encourages collaboration and problem solving to improve service system responses and quality of life outcomes for the individual.
A Registered Nurse and a Support and Advocacy Worker aligned with the Home for Good Coordinated Access and Referral team provide care coordination and intensive case management to build the person's capacity to self-manage their health and wellbeing.
This includes:
- assistance and support to access and maintain stable accommodation
- linkage with primary care and specialist health services
- developing an integrated community support network
- developing self-management strategies to manage their mental and physical health.
View a short film which includes interviews with participants.
Portrait of Mandy. Photography: Katie Bennett.
The Micah Projects Working Together to Connect Care Community Response is funded by Brisbane North PHN to partner with Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) and The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) Emergency Departments (Working Together to Connect Care program) to work with vulnerable individuals who present frequently to ED.
Please email us for more information.
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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.
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.
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.
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Micah Projects is committed to maximising the impact we have in the lives of the people we support.
In order to ensure we are being as effective and as efficient as possible we continually look for opportunities to be innovative, based on the best available evidence-based research. We complement this by evaluating our programs to ensure they are delivering the impact they were developed to deliver, enhancing and refining our programs and systems wherever possible.
The Quality, Innovation and Performance team was established to enhance and inform the programs Micah Projects runs. It allows us to stay up to date with the latest best-practice in our field, the latest evidence-based research, and to pilot new programs reflecting that research.
Through the work of the Quality, Innovation and Performance team, Micah Projects is able to direct its resources into the most effective, most efficient, evidence-based strategies to advance our mission.
Our CEO Karyn Walsh speaking at TEDxSouthBank 2016. The economic evaluation of the Homeless to Home Healthcare After-Hours Service demonstrated substantial savings for the government's health budget. Photography: Robyn McDonald.
The team works across all Micah Projects Service Areas.
Innovation
- promote, develop and advocate for new initiatives across Micah Projects
- investigate best practice and pioneering approaches developed in other parts of Australia and the world and explore how they can be applied in our organisation
- communicate and consult with employees about new initiatives.
Performance
- promote effective planning for performance management processes across the organisation
- identify indicators of success or challenges and promote innovation in implementation of strategic plan
- review and analyse the effectiveness and impact of services for those we support and the community.
Evaluation
- develop outcome-based evaluation and performance frameworks for initiatives and programs in Micah Projects
- commission external evaluations of services provided
- ensure we have systems and skills to internally evaluate our services.
Significant publications and research to which Micah Projects have contributed are listed on the last page of Micah Projects Highlights from our Story 1995–2015.
To view Micah Projects publications please visit our Publications webpage.
For more information please email us.
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This website is full of information regarding our services. If you are in need of help or information, and you are unsure if Micah Projects has services to assist, please call our general number.
Phone (07) 3029 7000.
If Micah Projects can help, our staff will put you in contact with the person in our organisation who can assist you.
We have strong collaborative partnerships with other service providers. If we are unable to provide the service you require, we will refer you directly to the most appropriate organisation.
If you prefer to call other services directly, the Organisations below may be of assistance.
Domestic Violence
If you are currently in an emergency situation call the Police on 000.
Brisbane Domestic Violence Service (BDVS) is Micah Projects service for woman and children experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic and family violence. Phone (07)3217 2544. For more information please visit the dedicated BDVS website.
dvconnect provides free help for women, men, children and pets affected by domestic and family violence across Queensland.
dvconnect womensline
(phone line for women, children and young people - 24 hours, 7 days) phone 1800 811 811dvconnect mensline
(phone line for men - 9am - midnight, 7 days) phone 1800 600 636Homelessness
Homeless Hotline
If you are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, you can contact Homeless Hotline freecall 1800 474 753 for confidential advice (24 hours) or email psosupport@smartservice.qld.gov.auThis service can help by providing information about an immediate safe place to stay, practical assistance such as where to get meals, showers and clothing and advice and support.
Home for Good
Micah Projects Home for Goodservice works to prevent and end homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness are met and their rights protected. Please visit our dedicated website or phone (07) 3036 4444.General
Lifeline
Lifeline provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services. Phone 13 11 14.1800 RUOKDAY (1800 7865 329)
This number links you through to 6 different crisis support or mental health information lines:- Lifeline Phone 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service Phone 1300 659 467
- MensLine Australia Phone 1300 78 99 78
- SANE Australia Helpline Phone 1800 18 7263
- Kids Helpline Phone 1800 55 1800
- beyondblue Info Line Phone 1300 22 4636
Queensland Ombudsman
The Queensland Ombudsman's Office is an independent complaints investigation agency. Their role is to ensure public agencies (state government departments and bodies, and local councils) act fairly and make the right decisions for Queenslanders.They also help public agencies improve their decision-making and administrative practice for the benefit of the community. If you believe that a public agency has made an unfair or incorrect decision about an issue that affects you, they may be able to help. Phone (07) 3005 7000 / Toll Free (landlines only) 1800 068 908.
For information on more services view useful links.