Unique support service for families opens in Logan

Dec 17, 2018


Unveiling the plaque: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Michael McCormack, with Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen (left) and the Hon Di Farmer, State Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.

Queensland families will have access to a unique drug and alcohol support service starting in the new year, following the official launch of our Family Recovery Units at Logan House on 12 December.

The program makes it possible for parents to receive support, while their young children stay with them on site in the two and three-bedroom units.

Parents can access wrap-around support on site at Logan including specialist alcohol and drug counselling and information, group sessions and parenting, life and health support, whilst having appropriate care arrangements set in place for their children.

The opening was jointly conducted by the Hon Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Di Farmer, State Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; along with Lives Lived Well Chair Damian Wright. The Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen and the Acting Logan Mayor, Cherie Dalley also attended.

The Australian Government invested $986,000 in the construction of the units, jointly funding it with Lives Lived Well, which contributed more than $1M. The Queensland Government has committed to providing $1.7M in funding over three years to support the operation of the family alcohol and drug recovery program at the units.

Speaking at the launch, Mr McCormack said he knew Logan House, set among gum trees in Logan’s rural southwest, would be a special place.

“People will look along this deck at this beautiful view and will see there is hope, there is a future. They will experience the warmth of the counsellors here, people who will share their expertise, their care, their compassion, their love and it will make a difference.”

Lives Lived Well Chair Damian Wright expressed gratitude for the funding support of both state and federal governments.

“This funding allows us to work closely with families to turn their lives around after the harms and disruption of alcohol and drugs,” Mr Wright said.

Family-Focused Programs Set To Launch

Mar 14, 2018

 

Lives Lived Well is delighted to foreshadow two new family programs that make live-in recovery available to those of whom it previously may not have been an option: Lyndon Women’s in Orange, New South Wales; and Family Recovery Units in Logan Queensland.

Seeking help for a drug or alcohol problem is already a daunting enough task, and pregnancy, family and young children can make this seem impossible.

Lyndon Women’s Program

Lyndon Women’s Program is targeted towards mothers of young children. The program offers dedicated child care workers so that children can stay with their mothers.

Along with a tailored alcohol and other drug program Lyndon Women’s offers individual and group-based therapy and mental-health management as required. As an added part of the support available, Lyndon Women’s offers family and relationship focused counselling.
support for planned family reunions and help accessing specialist child services.

While the full program runs for six weeks, it has flexibility if circumstances change and stays can be extended if required. On completion of Lyndon Women’s Program, counsellors will assist with the transition back to home.

Logan House Family Units

The Logan House Family Recovery Units will have five family units and provide easier access to drug and alcohol rehabilitation services for parents with young children.

With infrastructure jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and Lives Lived Well, the family accommodation units will enable parents to live-in with their children at Logan House and have them cared for while they receive the support to overcome their alcohol and other drug related issues.

Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen recently joined Logan City Councillor Phil Pidgeon and Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles in the ceremonial “turning of the first sod” on site at Logan House.

The centre is on track to open in November and will consist of three two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units. Each unit comes with an attached kitchen, bathroom, living room and a shared outdoor room, giving each family independence and security.

In the meantime, Lives Lived Well continues to provide community-based support services for families in the area through our Beenleigh and Beaudesert centres.