V.O.I.C.E. has been established as social services not-for-profit organisation with the main purpose of reshaping the existing policies and practices and adjusting them to the realities of the modern day Australia. Working in close partnership and cooperation with local, state and federal governments, our organisation is committed to restoring the principles of social justice in all aspects pertaining the social life of our nation, ensuring that all Australians, without discrimination, have adequate access to opportunities for personal and social development.

 

V.O.I.C.E. is dedicated to supporting projects, initiatives and programs that would allow every Australian to reach their maximum level of potential and independence, irrespective of gender, age, ethnic background, disability or any other discriminatory grounds.

 

Our projects are focused on five main areas:

• restoring the identity, pride and sense of belonging within the Indigenous Australian population, through reconnection with history, culture, traditions and land;

• providing children and adolescents with the education, guidance and support necessary to minimise the levels of emotional, affective and social vulnerability (generated by physiological and developmental factors). Through targeted educational programs, children and adolescents will be provided with the necessary knowledge and understanding, allowing them to develop adequate values systems and effective protective factors that will minimise their likelihood of engaging in detrimental risk-taking behaviours;

• developing and implementing an Integrated Therapeutic Care Service Delivery System (ITCSDS) designed to facilitate functional foster and residential care services to children, adolescents and people with disabilities;

• empowering communities through social education and raising awareness initiatives designed to increase their levels of active participation and self-determination, reduce their reliance on government benefits and increase the harmony; and

• constantly improving the social welfare and wellbeing of Australian nation through clear and targeted prevention and early intervention strategies designed to address any identified or potential issues at the earliest possible opportunity. Through proactive approaches, the financial costs and negative social impact of anti-social/criminal manifestations is minimised, providing strong developmental platforms to our future generations.

 

In the short- to medium-term (by 30 June 2018), V.O.I.C.E. is committed to achieve the following milestones:

• establishing Community Consultation Bodies in all areas adjacent to V.O.I.C.E. social hubs and facilitating regular collaborative meetings with all local and state government officials, in order to generate real and effective participation of the communities in the decision-making processes concerning their future social development;

• establishing working partnerships and/or Memorandums of Understanding with the Governmental and Non-Governmental departments, agencies, services and organisations located in the geographical areas covered by the V.O.I.C.E. social hubs;

• trialling and consequently working with the Department of Education and Training (DET) to implement the “ABC” Program (Actively Building Competence) in the high-school curriculum for Year 10 and/or 11;

• developing and implementing realistic pre- and post-sentencing intervention programs in cooperation with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG);

• working with the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services towards establishing the ITCSDS as system of choice in delivering foster and residential care to children, adolescents and people with disability;

• developing V.O.I.C.E. 25 social services hubs across Queensland, with specific focus on remote and disadvantaged areas; and

• establishing children and adolescents social proficiency support and development policies in cooperation with communities, local, state and federal governments.