Brighter Futures (Extended Post Care Support)
About our service
The Brighter Futures (Extended Post Care Support) program provides tailored case management services and the administration of financial supports to eligible young adults who have transitioned from care.
Navigating adulthood after transitioning out of the child protection system can be tough without a strong support network. Our program exists to assist these young people in their transition to living as independent adults, offering culturally appropriate, proactive and practical support as they strive toward realising their goals and dreams.
Since launching in February 2024, we have ben engaging with young adults, their families, and their support networks to identify needs and aspirations.
Our role
We support young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 to:
- Access and maintain safe, secure and affordable housing as a priority
- Connect or maintain connections to family, culture, Country and community
- Access education and training opportunities and find employment
- Learn budgeting and other independent living skills
- Access stable income or financial support to meet the cost of living
- Improve health and wellbeing
- Access other resources and services, including specialist services for complex support needs
- Link with opportunities that promote independence
- Attend appointments and connect with formal or informal support networks (mentors or other safe community members)
- Work through barriers associated with experiences in the care system or difficulties engaging with formal supports
Types of support
Our service model includes collaborative case management and this can be directly with the young adult as they navigate life after care, or with the carer household if the young adult chooses to stay with their foster or kinship carers once they turn 18.
In parallel with case management to plan, facilitate and advocate for the aspirations of those eligible for assistance, we provide financial support to young adults who are living in their own independent housing arrangements. This support is directed by individual needs and can help with things like rent, educational or work-related expenses, basic essentials, medical costs and transport.
Eligibility
A young person is eligible for this program if they meet the following criteria:
- They turned 18 after 1 July 2023
- They were subject to one of the following Child Protection Orders upon turning 18 (interim or finalised):
- Child Protection Order granting custody or guardianship to the Chief Executive
- Child Protection Order granting long-term guardianship to a suitable person
- Permanent Care Order
- They reside within the Brisbane region
(Young people who are subject to a supervision order or a directive order are not eligible for Extended Post Care Support).
Referrals
Referrals to the Brighter Futures (Extended Post Care Support) program can come from:
- The Department of Child Safety
- The individual
- Kinship and foster carers
- Community service organisations
Referrals can be sent to brighterfutures@atsichsbrisbane.org.au
Contact us
To find out more about how our team can help, email brighterfutures@atsichsbrisbane.org.au
Resources
Brighter Futures (Extended Post Care Support) brochure
Read about how we assist young people who have been involved with the child protection system in their transition to independent living.
artwork
Growth by Casey Coolwell-Fisher
The story behind our program’s artwork in the words of the artist:
“We don’t walk in a straight line, we have our ups and downs but always moving forward. This artwork represents the growth of our young people and the creation of their own paths. Pathways are represented in the curved line pieces – depicting growth in the leaves and unexpected curves in the ripples of water. Footprints are represented in the dots to show the ups and downs, although always moving, of our young people’s life journeys. The middle section displays the brightness of the futures our young people hold – they are our futures, from the sun to the stars.”
