New provider announced for the redesigned Intercountry Adoptee and Family Support Service
Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Michelle Landry, has today announced Relationships Australia South Australia (RASA) as the successful provider delivering the Morrison Government’s $4.75 million redesigned Intercountry Adoptee and Family Support Service (ICAFSS).
RASA will be the lead agency delivering the ICAFSS over the next five years, from 1 July 2021, following last year’s competitive grant round.
The intercountry adoption community will continue to benefit from the Government’s investment to support the delivery of this important service.
Assistant Minister Landry said the redesigned ICAFSS, led by RASA, will provide the intercountry adoption community with access to free, nation-wide intercountry adoption-specific support, including therapeutic care, community capacity building and a new small grants program.
“As part of the redesigned service, people with lived experience of intercountry adoption will have an opportunity to have their say on how the program is designed, implemented and delivered, so it meets their needs.”
Assistant Minister Landry also congratulated RASA on their success and thanked every organisation that applied for the ICAFSS, in recognition of their ongoing commitment, passion and advocacy to support the intercountry adoption community in Australia.
“With 60 years’ experience delivering specialist and large-scale programs, RASA demonstrated the ability to provide a high standard of support to adoptees across the nation,” Assistant Minister Landry said.
“The Relationships Australia network of metropolitan, regional and remote service locations will provide face-to-face services, along with telephone services and an online telehealth platform.
“This means that people seeking intercountry adoption support through RASA, will be able to access the service no matter where they live,” Assistant Minister Landry said.
Dr Claire Ralfs, Chief Executive Officer of RASA, welcomed their new role as service provider.
“Relationships Australia is pleased to work with the intercountry adoption community to ensure effective and accessible support services are available. We respect that the intercountry adoptees and their families enrich the diversity of our community. We look forward to assisting them to positively address their unique challenges,” Dr Ralfs said.
This investment builds on the Government’s previously committed funding of more than $5 million over six years to deliver the ICAFSS.
For more information about Australia’s intercountry adoption program or the Intercountry Adoptee and Family Support Service please visit: https://www.intercountryadoption.gov.au/