Specialist Services

The MRCSA provides a number of specialist services through early intervention programs to young people, women, and families at risk. These programs aim to develop coping skills and resilience. Clients are referred to these programs via settlement services, Centrelink, schools, GPs, new and emerging communities, HSS, the police, or they self-refer. Most of these programs are provided in metropolitan Adelaide and in regional South Australia by appointment and by linking with ongoing services and supports.

Family Relationships Counselling and Community Education

This service provides early intervention, counselling, family mediation, and community education for families at risk or in crisis.

Families and Children

This service provides mentoring and peer support for families, particularly for isolated women and children in sole-parent families, and for older, frail, and housebound women with complex needs. The service targets recently arrived families of humanitarian background with children at risk, and it provides crisis intervention and management, case coordination, and empowerment and mentoring programs.

Men’s Talk

Conducted on a regular basis, ‘men’s talk’ sessions support heads of families and other men who may be experiencing difficulties adjusting to life in Australia. The sessions help participants to become better informed about family law in Australia, develop skills for coping with their changing status and role within the family, and deal with conflicting cultural values and expectations. The men are assisted to build on their vast leadership skills, past knowledge and experience to support other men who are in crisis and/or who require mentoring to overcome difficult situations and/or barriers. The MRCSA works closely with new and emerging communities, the Legal Services Commission, the Family Law Court and other family relationships agencies to maximise outcomes for men of refugee backgrounds.

Newly Arrived Youth Service (NAYS)

Each year, NAYS provides case management, counselling, family mediation and community connectedness opportunities for approximately 100 young people aged between 12 and 21 years who are vulnerable and at risk of homelessness.

Migration Services

Pro bono migration services are provided for eligible people of humanitarian background to propose immediate family members.

Multicultural Health Advocacy Counselling and Education

This service provides health and wellbeing programs, including counselling, group support, advocacy, and linkages with other specialist services.

Financial Counselling Service

This service provides budgeting and consumer education support, advocacy, and emergency relief for humanitarian entrants in temporary need. Emergency relief is provided to eligible individuals and families in emergency need, either directly or through their community groups and organisations.

Community support is also provided to individuals with special needs, such as people furthering their studies, dealing with a crisis situation, and/or requiring funds for a special purpose.

For more information about MRCSA specialist services, contact the MRCSA specialist services community participation manager on (tel.) 08 8217 9510.