Covid-19 service updates
The KODY/Caring Dads (CD) program supports fathers with alcohol and other drug (AOD) concerns to build stronger relationships with their kids. The program runs for 17 weeks, providing 2-hour group sessions and home-based family support. It focuses on supporting dads who use, or are at-risk of using, family violence, as well as their families who are impacted by that violence. The program’s facilitators will work closely with participants’ AOD clinicians, to model and reinforce group goals.
Odyssey House have partnered with child, family and parenting service Kids First and the University of Melbourne on this project and will operate Caring Dads from our Footscray office, commencing in mid August.
The program is child-centred and aims to promote healthy and respectful parenting, that improves the child’s social, emotional and physical wellbeing, which impacts positively to improve family functioning.
If there is at least one child aged between 0-12 years, there will be a dedicated Kids in Focus team worker to ensure wrap-around services can support the needs of the whole family.
Fathers engage in group work to support the psycho-social, safety needs and goals of the whole family. Mothers and children are supported in risk and safety planning. This program will reinforce accountability for fathers of harmful behaviours, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of their children by monitoring their fathering capabilities.
The program will be evaluated through an ARC linkage research grant, and the ongoing KODY project.