Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program (AYCP) Review
The Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program (AYCP) was developed in collaboration with Aboriginal communities and in accordance with principles of Aboriginal self-determination outlined within the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 4 (AJA4). The aim of the AYCP is to increase and enhance the use of police cautioning through a community-led model, based on principles of early intervention, harm reduction and community involvement, to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal young people in the criminal justice system. Initially established as a pilot program, the AYCP has now expanded into an ongoing State-wide program, operating for over four years.
August 2024 – March 2025
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Driving Change: Participatory Research and Recommendations to Enhance Road Safety Outcomes for Victorian First Peoples Children, Young People and Their Families
Karabena Consulting was engaged by the DTP to deliver a two-stage project focused on improving road safety outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
The first stage (September 2023 – January 2024) involved a comprehensive review of literature, examining evidence-based strategies and actions to enhance road safety for First Nations communities in Victoria.
September 2023 – January 2025
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Renewal of OCHRE (Opportunity, Choice, Healing, Responsibility, Empowerment) in NSW
As two stages of OCHRE evaluation demonstrate, there were many achievements over 2013- 2023 including ARA being established over significant parts (but not all) of NSW. But a statewide healing program did not progress beyond the consultation stage. There was also slow progress in transferring decision-making powers to Aboriginal communities. From 2018-2019 onwards, OCHRE was increasingly overshadowed by the negotiation and roll out of the Closing the Gap program in NSW.
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Strong Brother Strong Sister Lapsing Program Evaluation
Karabena Consulting (Karabena) was engaged by the Department of Health (DH) to conduct a lapsing program evaluation of the Strong Brother Strong Sister (SBSS) suicide prevention and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) program.
This evaluation sought to assess the program’s implementation, outcomes, and impact, and by analysing this data determine its overall effectiveness, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Further, Karabena examined the potential risk, to both individuals and the community, if program funding is not renewed
August 2024 – December 2024
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Victorian Aboriginal Early Years Framework
In 2023, the Victorian Government committed to integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge in antenatal, Maternal and Child Health (MCH), and early parenting services to strengthen the early years health sector for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in Victoria from preconception to school age.
August 2023 – August 2024
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Better Futures and Home Stretch Evaluation – First Nations Experience
The Better Futures and Home Stretch Programs, an initiative of DFFH, aim to provide structure, guidance, and support to young people transitioning from care services to adulthood.
March 2024 – November 2024
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Project title DISC Profiles and Communication Workshop: Community Relations and Heritage Division
Karabena Consulting facilitated a workshop for the Community Relations and Heritage Division of the DPC on 16 October 2024. The workshop focused on DISC profiles, internal division relationships, and directional communication strategies. The goal was to improve communication among team members, enhancing both personal understanding and the overall efficiency of the division.
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VAHS: A Focus on the Workforce
Karabena Consulting worked with VAHS to design and implement a comprehensive strategy to enhance workplace safety, health, and inclusion for Aboriginal staff. The project was part of VAHS's broader efforts to promote respectful environments for their staff in Victoria and address cultural safety.
The project provided VAHS with practical tools and strategies to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety (OHS) standards and to promote a safer, more inclusive environment for employees.
May 2024 – October 2024
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DEECA Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
In collaboration with Karen Milward Consulting Services, Karabena Consulting worked on developing the Cultural Capability Framework Implementation Action Plan (Action Plan) and the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for DEECA.
September 2024 – October 2024
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Exploration of the Clontarf Foundation Driver Education Program 2024
Karabena Consulting (Karabena) was engaged by the Department of Health (DH) to conduct a lapsing program evaluation of the Strong Brother Strong Sister (SBSS) suicide prevention and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) program.
This evaluation sought to assess the program’s implementation, outcomes, and impact, and by analysing this data determine its overall effectiveness, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Further, Karabena examined the potential risk, to both individuals and the community, if program funding is not renewed
March 2024 – October 2024
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Perinatal Mental Health Screening – Aboriginal Co-Design
The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (2021) recommended a review of approaches to perinatal mental health screening to address inclusivity, cultural appropriateness and the therapeutic context of screening (recommendation 18.2).
A subsequent independent review of perinatal mental health screening in Victoria (2023) delivered ten recommendations in response to the findings of the Royal Commission, including a recommendation for the development of the Victorian perinatal mental health screening guidelines (‘the guidelines’), informed by co-design approaches with Aboriginal people.
May 2024 - October 2024
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Link-Up Victoria: Enhancing support for the Stolen Generations
Karabena Consulting worked with Link-Up Victoria to identify the needs and aspirations of members of the Stolen Generations and their families. The project was part of Link-Up Victoria’s broader efforts to support cultural reconnection, healing, and intergenerational empowerment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
March 2024 – September 2024
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Human Rights Law Centre: First Nations Impact Area
The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) engaged Karabena Consulting to assess how its work in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination can be strengthened through enhanced governance and power-sharing with First Nations partners.
April 2024 - September 2024
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Improving Cultural Safety and Access in Emergency Departments for First Nations Patients and Families
Karabena was engaged by WMHSP to help understand the enablers and barriers to cultural safety and access in Emergency Departments (ED) for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their families.
To achieve this, Karabena undertook site visits to the EDs at both RMH and RCH, semi-structured discussions with staff at RMH’s First Nations Health Unit and RCH’s Wadja Aboriginal Family Place, and consultations with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community members.
March 2024 – September 2024
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Victoria First Peoples’ Consultation: Five-year review of the operations of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017
The Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (the Act) provides a safe legal framework for eligible people who are suffering and dying to choose the manner and timing of their death.
Karabena Consulting was engaged by CERE to evaluate the first five years of the Act. Focusing on experiences with death, dying and voluntary assisted dying (VAD) accessibility, key consultation questions addressed how VAD systems meet First Nations peoples’ needs, barriers to compliance, and the safety and compassion of VAD processes. The goal of this project was to review how the Act is operating for First Nations communities.
April – June 2024
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Optimal Care Pathways: Proposed changes in the refresh of the Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Cancer
The purpose of this project was to present a summary of key themes and proposed changes for expert consideration for the refresh of the Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer, as informed by a rapid review of published evidence and stakeholder consultation activities.
Project Timeline: October 2023 – June 2024
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Eastern Health Executive and Board Cultural Awareness Training
Karabena Consulting was engaged by Eastern Health to create a holistic cultural awareness and comprehension program. This program aims to embed people’s experiences of reconciliation to further strengthen Eastern Health’s capacity to develop and deliver culturally sensitive services. Two half-day sessions were delivered at Eastern Health offices, incorporating Indigenous methodologies and practices to be applied in their management styles and decision-making strategies.
Project Timeline: April – June 2024
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Evaluation of the Specialist Trainee Support Program (STSP)
Karabena Consulting was engaged by AIDA to undertake an external evaluation of the STSP. This project served as the first independent evaluation of the STSP, a key milestone in examining the program’s efficacy and impact, and to explore areas to strengthen its strategic development.
Project Timeline: December 2023 – June 2024
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Traditional Owner Rights and Land Justice Branch Planning Day
The Traditional Owner Rights and Land Justice Branch (TORLJ) conducted a planning day to map out key priorities for 2024, integrate the First Peoples - State Relations (FPSR) Guiding Principles into their work, and begin a comprehensive planning process.
Project Timeline: February – March 2024
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Victorian First Peoples’ Tourism Plan Consultations
Karabena Consulting was engaged by DJSIR to undertake Statewide consultations with Tourism Operators, Community people and Traditional Owner organisations on key inclusions and aspirations that regions had to create a viable First Peoples visitor economy.
Project Timeline: August 2023 – June 2024
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