A new way of doing things
In early August, Baptcare commenced operations of its new ‘Gateway’ and ‘Integrated Family Support Services’ operations from new offices in Launceston and Hobart.
Gateway is an intake and assessment service that provides a single point of contact for children, young people, their families and people with a disability to the service-support network. Referral through the Gateway may be to Integrated Family Support Services (IFSS), which provides a range of service-responses to vulnerable children, young people and families in a coordinated and integrated manner.
Gateway and IFSS are both initiatives of the Tasmanian Government’s reform of that state’s child and family services sector. They represent ‘a new way of doing things’ in Tasmania.
At the official commissioning events for the new offices, a client of the service spoke of the practical difference ‘a new way of doing things’ meant to her family’s life.
Stella* is a young mother with two children of her own, who also cares for three of her partner’s children. Her youngest child has a disability. Prior to referral to Baptcare’s IFSS program via the Gateway, Stella experienced increasing inability to cope as the reality of her child’s disability became evident. She was shuffled between multiple agencies, and the lack of continuity with a single care worker compounded her sense of frustration, despair and loss of self-esteem. In the end, Stella lost sight of the purpose of her contact with the service system and was close to ‘walking away’ from her family situation.
Baptcare’s new IFSS, by providing Stella consistent contact with a single care worker, created the continuity she needed to re-build her confidence and self-reliance. Stella spoke at the commissioning of being able to address issues without feeling overwhelmed and in a way which was non-judgemental and supportive. This ‘new way of doing things’ really worked for Stella.
In Jesus Christ, God also responded to humanity’s need for ‘a new way of doing things’. This is what we celebrate at Christmas. We celebrate a God who provides one person in whom we can trust, despite our failings, and who helps us find the meaning and courage to live. In that sense, Stella’s story is no different to ours, it is just the details that change.
As you support our work, I hope you find encouragement in knowing you help to make a real difference in the lives of people like Stella. I hope the sense of ‘a new way of doing things’ is real to you this Christmas.
Kind regards,
Jeff Davey
Chief Executive
* Name changed to protect privacy.
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