Culture Care Connect
Cultivating culture, care and connection for meaningful support for our communities.
What we do
NACCHO develops and implements evidence-based policy and programs to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
NACCHO’s mental health programs use co-design principles to implement innovative national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategic policies and programs that are tailorable to community needs and priorities, aligning with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Our flagship program, Culture Care Connect, integrates suicide prevention and holistic aftercare with cultural sensitivity and community empowerment. We prioritise preserving and celebrating the diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while providing essential care and support to recipients and providers of our services. Culture is at the heart of the program.
The Culture Care Connect program operates out of more than 30 ACCHOs and employs up to 100 people from their respective local communities to support local suicide prevention activities. Our program offers choice and control, empowering communities to customise suicide prevention plans and access localised aftercare.
By fostering a trauma-aware and healing-informed environment, we aim to provide individuals receiving and delivering services and support with the care they need and want. Developed in alignment with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, Culture Care Connect sets a new standard in community-driven healthcare.
Our Approach
The Culture Care Connect Model of Care
The Culture Care Connect Model of Care, developed by NACCHO, lies at the heart of this program. This model serves as a blueprint for local and jurisdictional suicide prevention planning, as well as the coordination and delivery of aftercare services.
Drawing inspiration from the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Model wheel created by Graham Gee, Pat Dudgeon, Clinton Schultz, and colleagues, our model operationalises this framework to ensure comprehensive support for individuals and communities.
Reference: Culture Care Connect program model of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, 2022.
Locations
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
- Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC)
- Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service Incorported
- Awabakal Limited (Newcastle Aboriginal Cooperative)
- Bourke Aboriginal Health Service Limited
- Brewarrina Aboriginal Health Service Limited (Brewarrina Aboriginal Medical Service)
- Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation
- Galambila Aboriginal Corporation
- Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Community & Medical Services
- Orange Aboriginal Corporation Health Service
- Riverina Medical & Dental Aboriginal Corporation
- South Coast Women’s Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation (known
as Waminda South Coast Women’s Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation)
Northern Territory
- Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT)
- Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation (CAAC)
- Danila Dilba Biluru Butji Binnilutlum Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
- Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation (also managing Ngalkanbuy Health Service)
- Wurli Wurlinjang Aboriginal Corporation
Queensland
- Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC)
- Apunipima Cape York Health Council Limited
- Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Services Ltd (formerly Barambah Regional Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation)
- Gurriny Yealamucka (Good Healing) Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
- Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd
- Mount Isa Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Limited (Gidgee Healing)
- Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Primary Health Care Services
- Wuchopperen Health Service Limited
South Australia
Victoria
Western Australia
- Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA)
- Bega Garnbirringu Health Service Incorporated
- Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
- Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited
- Mawarnkarra Health Service
- Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation
- Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation (Spinifex Health Service)
- Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance
- Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service
- Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Resources
Visit the NACCHO Connection, Strength and Resilience Portal. This portal provides a set of resources aimed at supporting resilience and reducing social and emotional harms to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
View the Manual of Resources by the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention.
View Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data.
Committees
Culture Care Connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group
The Advisory Group provides advice on the development of a model of care for suicide prevention and aftercare services, the community-controlled suicide prevention networks (CCSPNs) and the programs they deliver, identifies any required system changes, as well as supports the monitoring and evaluation of the program.
Culture Care Connect Artwork Summary
The artwork was created by artist, Jodi Knight. It is a visual representation of the Culture Care Connect program which is nationally co-ordinated by NACCHO. This artwork symbolises the three levels of program implementation, advocacy and knowledge sharing across the changing landscape of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention, mental health and social and emotional wellbeing nationally. The colours evoke feelings of calm.
The gatherings represent coordination, advocacy and governance structures at a national, Affiliate and local level. At the local level, the artwork depicts the three different aspects of the Culture Care Connect program: community-controlled suicide prevention planning and coordination; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led program delivery; and strong and supported program workforce.
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
Our programs are delivered in selected locations across the NACCHO network.
Contact
For any inquiries or further information about the Culture Care Connect program, please contact the team at: CCCProgram@naccho.org.au
