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Karabena Consulting

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Public Sharing of Intersectional Data
Public Sharing of Intersectional Data

In response to Recommendation 69 of the Family is Culture Review, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and BOCSAR developed the Linked Data Asset (LinDA). This is an internal DCJ client centred database that links records from social housing, homelessness, child protection, out-of-home care (OOHC), and justice. The data can be used to highlight opportunities for cross-sectional policy responses, inform targeted service delivery and build analytical models that identify client risk.

December 2024 – May 2025

Review of Murray PHN Commissioning Data – First Nations Dual Diagnosis Services
Review of Murray PHN Commissioning Data – First Nations Dual Diagnosis Services

Since 2018, Murray Primary Health Network (PHN) has been commissioning dual diagnosis services for First Nations peoples across six Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). These services support First Nations peoples experiencing both mental health and substance use challenges. Over the years, significant data has been shared with MPHN. Given anticipated changes to funding arrangements, a review is needed to help inform future commissioning arrangements.

December 2024 – May 2025

Aboriginal led custodial health service design
Aboriginal led custodial health service design

Karabena Consulting worked with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS), Corrections Victoria, Justice Health and GEO to develop and document an Integrated Aboriginal Justice Health Model for implementation at Marngoneet Correctional Centre. The model supports the social, emotional, cultural, and physical wellbeing of Aboriginal people in custody through integrated care, continuity of support post-release, and lived-experience peer workforces.

February 2025 – May 2025

Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program (AYCP) Review
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

Driving Change: Participatory Research and Recommendations to Enhance Road Safety Outcomes for Victorian First Peoples Children, Young People and Their Families
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

Renewal of OCHRE (Opportunity, Choice, Healing, Responsibility, Empowerment) in NSW
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.

Strong Brother Strong Sister Lapsing Program Evaluation
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

Victorian Aboriginal Early Years Framework
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

Better Futures and Home Stretch Evaluation – First Nations Experience
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

Project title	DISC Profiles and Communication Workshop: Community Relations and Heritage Division
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.

VAHS: A Focus on the Workforce
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

DEECA Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
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

Exploration of the Clontarf Foundation Driver Education Program 2024
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

Perinatal Mental Health Screening – Aboriginal Co-Design
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

Link-Up Victoria: Enhancing support for the Stolen Generations
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

Human Rights Law Centre: First Nations Impact Area
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

Improving Cultural Safety and Access in Emergency Departments for First Nations Patients and Families
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

Victoria First Peoples’ Consultation: Five-year review of the operations of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017
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

Optimal Care Pathways: Proposed changes in the refresh of the Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Cancer
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

Eastern Health Executive and Board Cultural Awareness Training
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

Evaluation of the Specialist Trainee Support Program (STSP)
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

Traditional Owner Rights and Land Justice Branch Planning Day
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

Victorian First Peoples’ Tourism Plan Consultations
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

Cultural Awareness and Comprehension Training Program: Australian Unity
Cultural Awareness and Comprehension Training Program: Australian Unity

Karabena Consulting was engaged to implement our 'Living Libraries' cultural awareness and training program. This comprehensive initiative, developed by KCT and implemented in partnership with Karen Milward Consulting Services, included two half-day training sessions followed by visits to community agencies, designed to contextualise the learnings through real-life experiences. Each community organisation received a payment for hosting Australian Unity staff during these visits.


Project Timeline: May – June 2024

National Redress Scheme Survivor Roundtable
National Redress Scheme Survivor Roundtable

The National Redress Scheme Survivor Roundtable provides survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and their advocates a platform to give feedback on the Scheme and receive updates on its performance. The Second Year Review highlighted the need for formal inclusion of survivors in the governance structure.


Project Timeline: Ongoing, with the most recent roundtable held in Perth on 6 March 2024.

Evaluation of the Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way 3-Year Action Plan, 2019–2022
Evaluation of the Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way 3-Year Action Plan, 2019–2022

Karabena Consulting and Karen Milward Consulting were engaged to undertake the evaluation of the first Dhelk Dja 3-Year Action Plan (2019–2022).


Project Timeline: June 2023 – April 2024

Closing the Gap Priority Reforms Performance Measurement Project 2023–2024
Closing the Gap Priority Reforms Performance Measurement Project 2023–2024

This project aimed to develop a coherent and consistent framework for measuring progress in achieving the Priority Reforms outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Led by an Expert Governing Committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts, the project involved comprehensive consultations, data analysis, and the formulation of recommendations for indicators, measures and data sources.


Project Timeline: June 2023 – April 2024

Swinburne Moondani Toombadool Centre (MTC) Innovation Hub Strategic Plan
Swinburne Moondani Toombadool Centre (MTC) Innovation Hub Strategic Plan

Karabena Consulting partnered with Swinburne University's Moondani Toombadool Centre (MTC) to develop a Strategic Plan for their Indigenous Innovation Hub. This plan is aimed at nurturing Indigenous entrepreneurship, aligning with the cultural values and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Project Timeline: September 2023 – January 2024

Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) Cultural Safety Review
Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) Cultural Safety Review

The Australian Government established Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to increase the efficiency of medical services, reduce fragmentation of care and improve health outcomes for everyone, especially the most vulnerable. The Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) is one such example of these networks.

Project Timeline: July 2023 – December 2023

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Cultural Safety Audit
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Cultural Safety Audit

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) has contracted Karabena Consulting to undertake a multi-year cultural safety audit to explore the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and staff regarding cultural safety issues; and improve the cultural safety of the hospital’s services.

Project Timeline: July 2021 – August 2023

Karabena Consulting Trust acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we
work, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

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info@karabenaconsulting.com

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Wurundjeri Country
Sunbury VIC 3429

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