People living with alcohol and other drug (AOD) dependency in South Eastern NSW will soon have access to more tailored support, thanks to new grant funding announced by COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN. 

Acting CEO of COORDINARE, Andrew Gow said three innovative programs have received AOD Innovation Grants to deliver early intervention and wellbeing support including: Mission Australia’s RESET early intervention service, Lives Lived Well’s Recognise Reflect, Respect early intervention program and Salt Care’s Empowering Recovery and Resilience AOD wellbeing program.  

“These grants will support people in a range of circumstances including those facing urgent needs such as accommodation, individuals struggling to navigate services, and people using violence who are also dealing with alcohol and other drug issues,” said Mr Gow. 

“Each program is tailored to support a particular identified need in specific geographic regions. For example, RESET provides young people in Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla who are aged 12-24 support to address AOD dependency,” he added. 

Mission Australia’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Support Facilitator, Madeleine Nixon said: "I hope through the support of the RESET program, young people begin to recognise their own value and, as a result, make healthier choices including reducing and or quitting alcohol and other drugs.” 

Shoalhaven-based Salt Care provides a housing-first, trauma-informed approach to support recovery and long-term wellbeing for adults from high need populations, including people transitioning from incarceration, those experiencing homelessness or other socio-economic disadvantage. 

Salt Care’s CEO, Peter Dover said: “Through the innovative Wellness Farm Day Program experience, we're seeing people make meaningful connections with staff and peers and feel safe enough to be vulnerable and supported, with many expressing a sense of 'being full of hope that they haven't had before’.” 

Lives Lived Well’s Recognise Reflect, Respect early intervention program supports self-identified adult male perpetrators of Domestic and Family Violence with co-occurring AOD needs. The service utilises both group and individual therapy to support behavioural change either face-to-face, in Wollongong and Nowra, or online for participants elsewhere in the region. 

Lives Lived Well’s Complex Needs Programs Team Leader, Anoushka Dowling said: “Domestic Family Violence is a national crisis in Australia. This program is about connecting the dots, addressing substance use, mental health and harmful beliefs together, because that's how we create real, lasting change. Violence doesn't come from one cause - and neither does change. By working at the intersection of AOD, mental health and gendered drivers, we're creating new pathways to safer futures.   

“Real change happens when we stop treating problems in isolation. This program addresses the whole man - his struggles, his story and his capacity to choose safety over harm. Every man has the opportunity to rewrite his story - the program is designed to support him choose safety, respect and accountability. Not just for the people in his life, but for himself too.” 

Ms Dowling added, “When men are given the tools to heal and grow, they can become providers of safety, not threats to it. The program aims to promote accountability for his behaviour and liberation from it.” 

A second round of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Innovation Grants will be available shortly. Updates on grant opportunities are available via this link. 

Pictured above: Mission Australia's RESET early intervention service from left to right; Helen, Dean, Ben, Maddy and Annette.