Kids in Focus

Kids in Focus (KIF) is a specialist program providing a range of intensive services for families affected by parental alcohol and other drug use. The program aims to identify the needs of both the parents and their children. The KIF team work in the community providing services in the Melbourne metropolitan area with highly vulnerable families using evidence-based interventions.

On this page

About the program

From 2002 to 2009, Odyssey Victoria undertook two projects to develop models of care for families where alcohol and other drug use was a concern. The resulting model was a family-centred approach with the safety and wellbeing of children being the focus in addition to parenting and family support. The success of these projects led to Odyssey Victoria being awarded the contract to provide the Kids in Focus (KIF) services across Melbourne. These services are provided free of charge.

Target group

  • Parents who have current or past alcohol and other drug use
  • Parents with children in their care or working towards reunification (with reunification less than one month away)
  • Parents with one or more children between the ages of 0-13.
Mother looking at child

Services

  • Counselling and case management which involves coordination of services to assist parents with relationships, parenting and life skills
  • Information, support, advocacy and referrals
  • Support of parents and children in the community by outreach and home-based visits
  • Recreational and therapeutic activities for children and parents and families
  • Support access to specialist alcohol and other drug services for parents including rehabilitation
  • Postnatal follow up and support
  • Access to Financial Counselling for information, advice and advocacy if you are in financial difficulty.

Kids in Focus use the Parenting under Pressure and the Safe and Together models which uses tools to assist families in developing long term supports.

Community and recreational activities

The KIF team provide one-on-one support with parents and families as well as multiple family day activities or community events where KIF clinicians and families can all come together. These events provide parents with opportunities to spend quality time with their children, for children to learn and play together and for peer-to-peer parenting support. Multi-generations of families attend these events, and they provide family fun memories and offer single parents additional support and community connections.

Capacity building and services for professionals

The KIF program offers secondary consultation though telephone advice and support, providing assistance with information, skills development and problem solving. Opportunities also exist for professional development and training.

Referrals

To complete a referral, please download a PDF form and fill it out digitally or physically and either email KIFReferrals@odyssey.org.au or fax to 9425 9537.

Contact Kids in Focus

Phone: (03) 8537 7104
Fax: (03) 9425 9537

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Resources

    Substance Use as Coercive Control

    This animation explores substance use coercion, a term which refers to the use of alcohol and other drugs as a tactic of abuse and violence. Designed for frontline practitioners, managers and interested services, it aims to build awareness of how this issue affects families. Developed in collaboration with Odyssey Victoria and the Violence Against Women and Children research team in the Department of Social Work (University of Melbourne), the animation was funded through an internal Odyssey Victoria Innovation Grant.