The Baroona Healing Program

Individual counseling sessions are available and group work is compulsory.

Gain a deeper understanding of Aboriginal history (colonisation, oppression, trans-generational trauma) and the impact of this on their social and emotional wellbeing.
Identify links and strengths within their own community, including family connections, supportive networks, etc.
Gain a deeper understanding of who they are: family, culture, community, etc.
Building cultural knowledge and understanding.
Promote behaviour change when back in their own community.
Create an interest in art and cultural activities, storytelling, language, and  spiritual beliefs.

Encourage changed attitudes, and a positive outlook on life
Build respect for themselves, and others, particularly women and Elders
Develop skills to entertain themselves
Develop skills for diversion and identifying triggers for avoiding situations that are  likely to place them at risk
Instill basic values including respect and trust
Provide education about what a family is all about
Develop life skills including confidence, communication, hygiene, cooking and nutrition, and budgeting
Develop the ability to reflect on the impact of their behaviours on others
Ability to gain more self-control over situations
Address legal issues and/or compliance with legal requirements

Build interest in undertaking further education or gaining employment
Improve literacy and numeracy skills
Link young people to the local school and TAFE, if resident at Baroona for more  than 4 weeks
Develop skills to prepare them for work, including land care, horticultural skills,  numeracy, etc
Provide information about trades and other job opportunities

Abstain from alcohol and drugs
Empower to make informed decisions
Develop knowledge of harm minimisation and risk management, such as  responsible use of A&D and how these can get you into trouble
Learnt relapse prevention strategies
Encourage behaviour change
Develop skills to build and maintain healthy relationships
Develop the ability to identify risks and triggers in their lives that lead to  substance abuse and inappropriate behaviours

A holistic approach to health and wellbeing
Develop regular living patterns (sleep, meals, hygiene, etc)
Address health issues and linked to services
Support smoking cessation (QUIT)
Encourage interest in participating in health and fitness activities, including the  gym in the Warma Fitness Centre
Improved management of problematic emotional stress
Linked to mental health service
Reduced self-harming behaviours

While residing at Baroona, young people have access to a range of programs and services:

Counselling therapy (1:1 and group) including process counselling, manual therapy and D&A Counselling
A nutrition program run by the Baroona naturopath
Structured programs such as the Bullroarer program, Jekora program, Art  Therapy program, Smoking Cessation (QUIT), etc.
Cultural awareness studies, including connection to country, song and dance,  ceremonies, etc.
Recreational activities such as access to the Warma Fitness Centre gym program,  participation in local team sports, etc.
Mentoring and role modelling of healthy life styles and healthy relationships  including:
- Harm minimisation
- Respectful relationships
- Sexual health
Skills development and education, including:
- Life skills related to activities of daily living: cleaning, cooking, washing
- Employment and education readiness skills
- Short courses to develop work skills e.g. fencing, chain-sawing etc

Aboriginal cultural ways, cultural safety and healing are fundamental to the model of care and program design. In particular:

Baroona has policy of employing Aboriginal people to work  at Baroona
The Baroona programs include extensive use of ceremony  and rituals e.g. welcome, leaving and celebration of  milestones and healing goals
Each young person has an individual Healing Plan detailing  their individual healing and recovery goals, and outlining how the program will support the young person to achieve these goals
The weekly program includes information, cultural activities and discussions about cultural artefacts
All young people living at Baroona are expected to participate in the Bullroarer and Jekora programs
Elders and respected community members are engaged in the weekly program
Teaching on Baroona land and learning about ‘country’ are part of the Baroona program
Cultural leadership is provided by Baroona staff, the Njernda Cultural Officer, Njernda staff and Board, Elders and respected Tradition Owners
Baroona residents are expected to participate in local community events, such as NAIDOC, community BBQs, the Koorie Nite Market, and Football and Netball Carnivals, etc
Baroona maintains strong collaborative linkages with the Aboriginal communities across Victoria through Njernda’s involvement on VACCHO and through personal connections with Aboriginal families and communities, etc