Community and Family Support Program Specifications

The Community and Family Support (CAFS) program brings together two NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) early intervention programs:

• Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) – formerly made up of the Community Strengthening and Wellbeing and Safety streams; and
• Family Connect and Support (FCS).

DCJ consulted the sector on a new name (for the amalgamated TEI and FCS programs). The new program name, Community and Family Support, will commence on 1 January 2026.

The CAFS program is now made up of three program activities:

1. Community Strengthening
2. Family Connect and Support
3. Wellbeing and Safety.

The CAFS program offers voluntary support to children, young people, families and communities, early in life and early in need. The CAFS program delivers culturally safe, responsive and flexible support services to meet the needs of children, young people, families and communities. CAFS services promote family and community wellbeing and reduce vulnerability and risk factors (including those that may lead to child abuse, neglect and family violence), while also building protective factors.

The CAFS program has expanded its scope to include a focus on child development outcomes. This means:

• the inclusion of children aged 0-9 years with low-level autism and/or developmental delay and low-to-moderate support needs as a target group of the program;
• their associated outcomes (e.g. that children start school developmentally ready and that families and carers are empowered and confident to understand and meet their child’s development needs);
• some minimal changes to the service type descriptions (e.g. for family capacity building, parenting programs and supported playgroups);
• an overarching client outcome of ‘achieving safety and wellbeing at home’.

This new focus supports a more integrated service system where child safety and wellbeing outcomes are addressed through the early intervention system.

Overall, these updates are minor and CAFS retains its strong focus on addressing risk factors that lead to child abuse, neglect and family violence, but also prioritises children and their families during critical periods of child development, through supporting child cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. 

The CAFS program has a new target group that aligns with the program’s focus on child development outcomes. This target group is Children under 9 years of age with low-level autism and/or developmental delay and low-to-moderate support needs.

This new target group aligns with research suggesting that early involvement of families and children with developmental support needs in early intervention programs, is linked to better outcomes.

We acknowledge that a number of CAFS providers are already supporting children and families in this target group and delivering services aligned with these client outcomes. Especially, as they are reflected in the overall CAFS target population which is: ‘Children, young people, families and communities within NSW who are in need’.

The CAFS Program recognises the unique and critical work that Community Strengthening service providers do to build and facilitate community cohesion, inclusion and wellbeing. Working with ‘community’ is reflected in the overall CAFS target population which is: ‘Children, young people, families and communities within NSW who are in need’.

The purpose of having additional specific target groups (beyond the target population) is to provide a more focussed approach for priority groups within the broader CAFS population, who have been identified as having known vulnerabilities. As ‘community’ is a broad category of people, it is not specified as a separate target group in the CAFS Program Specifications. The list of key target groups is not exhaustive, and CAFS services may support other client groups according to local priorities and needs. 

No. Service providers are not expected to work with all target groups listed in the CAFS Program Specifications. The target groups are the groups that are recommended to be prioritised for service delivery in the Stronger Communities Investment Approach. These key groups are not mutually exclusive, and not an exhaustive list.

Service providers may support other client groups according to local priorities and needs. This is flexible and should be negotiated with your DCJ contract manager based on what is needed in the local area.

It is not expected that all CAFS staff will have clinical qualifications. If delivering counselling services to children and young people, staff will need appropriate qualifications. Where staff are delivering other service types that do not require qualifications (e.g. mentoring/peer support) and it is identified that the child or young person requires counselling or psychological services, then relevant referrals should be made to services with qualified staff.

Many children and young people affected by mental health conditions will benefit from CAFS services that do not require staff to have clinical qualifications (e.g. youth individualised support). These services can be an important ‘soft entry’ point for children and young people to access more targeted or specialised services. 

DCJ has been building the early intervention evidence as part of continuous improvement since the commencement of the TEI and FCS programs. In response to service provider feedback that providers often have limited access to high-quality research about ‘what works’, DCJ developed and launched a publicly available Evidence Portal containing high quality evidence. Evidence from the commissioned reviews is built into high level program logics for the program and integrated into individual program logic templates to assist service providers to develop their own program logics.

When using the Evidence Portal to design and implement programs or services, consider the integration of the research evidence with other types of evidence, including practitioner expertise, local knowledge and the voice of clients.

Since the launch of the Evidence Portal in 2022, DCJ has commissioned several evidence reviews relevant to early intervention service delivery. These have been aligned to the population groups accessing CAFS services.  However, there are still some gaps in the evidence and further reviews will be commissioned on different topics over time.

Aboriginal families and communities

DCJ has been working to build the evidence for Aboriginal-led programs and commissioned Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources Pty Ltd to conduct an evidence review on Aboriginal-led early support programs and services to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities. This evidence review was unique as the evidence was culturally appraised using a Cultural Lens Matrix.

CALD families and communities

The CAFS Program Specifications have a strengthened commitment to outcomes for CALD communities. This includes the importance of CAFS services hiring bi-lingual staff, ensuring translation of resources into community languages and ensuring the availability of cultural adaptions under parenting programs and supported playgroups. This improves access to services and increases the cultural relevance of programs. Further work is needed to continue to capture the evidence of what works for CALD communities.

We recognise completing program logics takes time and resources. As an important part of evidence-based practice, program logics demonstrate the links between client needs, the evidence supporting the CAFS program, and services, outputs, and outcomes. A program logic provides a framework for monitoring and evaluating services, and the evidence helps to demonstrate the client outcomes likely to be achieved as a result of each service providers’ activities.

Templates

Individual program logic templates for each program activity are available to make it easier to complete. These templates have been pre-populated with the available evidence. Service providers also have the option to add relevant evidence to their program logics. 

Examples of completed program logics are also available for further assistance and guidance.

These individual program logic templates will be mandatory to use in the CAFS program from 2026.

The individual program logic templates are available on the DCJ website.

E-module training

A program logic e-module training course is available to help service providers understand how to complete a program logic for the program activities they are funded to deliver. Every service provider and DCJ contract manager should complete this training.

The program logic e-module will support service providers to better understand:

• What a program logic is and why it’s important for the TEI program.
• How to complete their individual program logic for each program activity they are delivering, including a step-by-step guide on how to address each column of the program logic with examples.
• The evidence-informed approach in the CAFS program and the use of core components.

Please note that the program logic e-module is being updated.  Individual program logic templates should be downloaded from this webpage (rather than from within the e-module) as they are the most current versions.

Chrome is the recommended browser for accessing the e-module.

Use of the new program logic templates will be a requirement under the CAFS program. All CAFS service providers must complete their new program logics by 1 June 2026.

Although, it is not mandatory for service providers to have completed a new program logic template for the CAFS contract negotiation, it is a useful tool to complete as part of contract negotiations, as it helps both parties discuss what needs to be delivered and why, to achieve the proposed outcomes.

Service providers should seek to transition to the new program logic templates when practical to do so. 

Family Connect and Support (FCS) service providers do not need to develop a separate individual program logic for their program activity as the FCS model of service delivery is the same across the state.

Yes. Service providers will be required to develop more than one program logic if they are delivering services under more than one program activity.

Service providers delivering services under both the Community Strengthening and Wellbeing and Safety program activities are required to complete a program logic for each of these program activities.

For service providers delivering services under the Wellbeing and Safety program activity, there are two program logic templates:

• Children and families - for service providers delivering services to children and families. This program logic includes the Preventing Child Maltreatment Evidence Review core components.
• Young people - for service providers delivering services specifically to young people, independent of their family unit. This program logic includes the Youth Socioemotional Wellbeing Evidence Review core components.

Exceptions

• Service providers in the Family Connect and Support (FCS) program are not required to develop an individual program logic as the FCS model of service delivery is the same across the state.
• Service providers are not required to develop an individual Cultural Safety and Wellbeing program logic. However, all CAFS service providers should aim to embed the critical elements from this program logic into their service delivery.

Further detail and information on the requirements for program logics is available in the Program logic e-module.

This will depend on which program activity service providers are contracted to deliver. If delivering services to young people under more than one program activity, service providers may need will need to complete more than one program logic.

Community Strengthening

Community Strengthening service providers who work with young people should consider the four best practice elements from the Youth Work – Agency and Empowerment Evidence Review when designing and delivering their services. This evidence is built into the Community Strengthening program logic template. When developing program logics, service providers should consider how each service activity addresses these best practice elements.

Wellbeing and Safety

Wellbeing and Safety service providers who work with young people should consider the five core components from the Youth Socioemotional Wellbeing Evidence Review and the four best practice elements from the Youth Work – Agency and Empowerment Evidence Review. This evidence is built into the Wellbeing and Safety (Young people) program logic template. When developing program logics, service providers should consider how each service activity addresses these core components and best practice elements.

Please note:

• If providing services to children and families, as well as young people, service provides will need to develop an individual program logic for each group. 
• Service providers do not need to be a youth-specific service to complete the Wellbeing and Safety (Young people) program logic. If a large part of their service delivery involves providing services to young people and/or delivering the youth individualised support service type, it is strongly recommended that they use this program logic template.

Further detail and information on the requirements for program logics is available in the Program logic e-module.

The program logic activities change as needs and local priorities change, so service providers must review their program logic annually, at a minimum. This annual review will form part of contract management.

Core components are common elements across evidence-informed programs. Within each core component, there are examples of different ways the core components can be delivered, called flexible activities. The core components align with findings from various evidence reviews, available on the Evidence Portal. This approach supports flexible and evidence-informed service delivery tailored to local needs.

Core components in the Wellbeing and Safety program activity

There are two Wellbeing and Safety program logics in the CAFS program that include different core components:

• Children and families - for service providers delivering services to children and families. These core components are from the Preventing Child Maltreatment Evidence Review and are standard components for effective delivery of child and family services working with families at risk of child abuse or neglect.
• Young people - for service providers delivering services specifically for young people. These core components are from the Youth Socioemotional Wellbeing Evidence Review. This evidence review also outlines best practice elements for service providers to consider in their practice.

The Preventing Child Maltreatment (PCM) core components are mapped to the Wellbeing and Safety service types, so service providers can see how their service delivery aligns with the core components. Through mapping, we can also identify opportunities for service providers to work together in the local service system and ensure clients have access to all the core components they need.

A table of the PCM core components matched to Wellbeing and Safety service types is available at Appendix E of the CAFS Program Specifications.

More information

The Understanding the core components approach resource has further information about the core components approach. The program logic e-module training also provides detailed information on the core components approach and how these are used in program logics.

Service providers funded under the Wellbeing and Safety program activity, specifically working with children and families, should use the core components from the Preventing Child Maltreatment Evidence Review in their service planning and delivery. To be effective in preventing child maltreatment, all five core components should be delivered to the child and their family.

To achieve this, service providers will either:

• Deliver all core components, or
• Work in partnership with other service providers locally through coordinated referral pathways to ensure clients can access services that offer the other core components.

A table of the Preventing Child Maltreatment core components matched to Wellbeing and Safety service types is available at Appendix E of the CAFS Program Specifications. Service providers should use this resource to cross-reference their service types against the core components. This will help them to identify which components they are delivering.

We understand that there may be circumstances where service providers cannot deliver all five of the Preventing Child Maltreatment core components. In these instances, we ask that service providers:

• Refer to, or partner with, another service that is already delivering a core component within the same LGA. A formal partnership arrangement does not need to be in place.
  • The other service provider does not need to be a CAFS service. They could be an early intervention service that is part of the broader early intervention network, such as another DCJ funded program, NSW Health service or a service receiving Commonwealth funding.
• If there are no providers available in the local network or geographical area to refer to, service providers should discuss this with their DCJ contract manager and tick the ‘Not delivered’ box in their program logic template.

The program logic e-module provides further detail about how to develop program logics using the core components.

‘Locally applied’ parenting programs or supported playgroups are programs or models not found on the evidence-informed lists of parenting programs or supported playgroups. Service providers can select to deliver a locally applied parenting program or supported playgroup model if it is considered more suitable to meet the local needs of the community and local context.

If a locally applied model or program is considered more suitable, service providers will need to complete a brief form and submit this to their DCJ contract manager for approval. The form should outline the program being proposed and the rationale for selecting this program. The form is available here.

Selecting a program from the evidence-informed parenting programs list is not mandatory. However, service providers must review the evidence-informed list and select a program from the list where it is suitable and relevant to their local context.

We recognise some of the parenting programs on the evidence-informed list may not work in specific contexts or for specific client groups and locally applied programs may be more suitable. For example, parents of children with a disability, families experiencing family violence and CALD families. 

If service providers want to deliver a parenting program that is not on the evidence-informed list of 37 programs, they need to complete a form which outlines their proposed program and the reasons for selecting this program. Service providers should also include any supporting evidence of the program’s effectiveness if available – this may include practitioner expertise, SCORE data held on the Data Exchange (DEX) and client feedback. They should submit this form to their DCJ contract manager. The DCJ contract manager will share this with the CAFS program area for decision.

For Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) delivering Indigenous parenting programs to Aboriginal people or non-ACCOs with Aboriginal staff delivering Indigenous parenting programs to Aboriginal people, there is no requirement to consider a parenting program from the evidence-informed parenting program list, and no need to complete this form. A different form is available for these providers for the purpose of collating local evidence and understanding effective programs/models that work for Aboriginal people. These providers are also encouraged to indicate on the form whether they would be interested in having an evaluation of their locally applied program/model. Completing this form is optional.

Choosing which program to deliver should be driven by local need, client compatibility and cultural safety. Parenting programs delivered under the CAFS program should always be voluntary and free to attend.

DCJ is not mandating the use of a particular evidence-informed parenting program or supported playgroup model in the CAFS program. Service providers should consider the evidence in the context of the most appropriate option for their target group, local need and budget. 

General information on evidence-informed parenting programs and supported playgroup models is available on the Evidence Portal.

Specific information about training and licensing costs of each evidence-informed parenting program and supported playgroup model should be sourced directly from the owner as costs can vary depending on the training requirements, and particular components.

If a service provider reviews the supported playgroup evidence scan and parenting program list and decides a locally applied model is more appropriate, they can discuss this with their DCJ contract manager and complete a form to outline the program being proposed and the rationale for selecting this program. See also ‘Can service providers deliver parenting programs that are not on the evidence-informed list’?

Indigenous parenting programs and supported playgroups

Indigenous parenting programs and Indigenous supported playgroups delivered by ACCOs, or by non-ACCOs with Aboriginal staff working with Aboriginal families, should be locally designed with input from community and practitioner expertise; and any other available evidence. For providers delivering Indigenous parenting programs and Indigenous supported playgroups, a different form is available to provide information on the program/model, including whether there is any available evidence to support it and whether the provider would be interested in an evaluation of their program/model. This form is for information purposes only to build the Aboriginal evidence base, and the CAFS program area will not be conducting assessments to determine the suitability of programs/models. Completing this form is optional.

Using evidence

Indigenous supported playgroup models should also incorporate the best practice principles and additional key elements of supported playgroups delivered to Aboriginal families which were identified in the evidence scan and align with the Early Years Learning Framework.

Training

In 2024/25, DCJ funded Fams and the Parenting Research Centre to deliver Smalltalk training and post-training implementation support to 120 TEI practitioners. More Smalltalk training is being planned for 2025/26.

Fams also facilitates a Supported Playgroup Network for supported playgroup practitioners to raise and discuss practice issues. Contact Fams to find out more at info@fams.asn.au.

Practical skills building, role modelling and coaching by a caseworker are important services to support parents’ understanding, knowledge and skills about their child’s developmental needs. These programs might include (but are not limited to) life skills, budgeting and nutrition-based programs. 

Where activities, like practical skill building, do not fit within the definition of a parenting program, they could be reported under another service type, such as family capacity building or education and skills training. For example, a one-day information workshop. If in doubt, discuss this with your DCJ contract manager.

If service providers wish to deliver an adapted version of one of the evidence-informed supported playgroup models, they first need to check the licensing arrangements of the supported playgroup model. This is because there may be restrictions around modifying the model’s content. 

If service providers are planning to deliver a supported playgroup model that is specifically designed for their local community or differs from the model’s specific requirements, this is likely to be a ‘locally applied’ model. If so, please complete the form which outlines their proposed model, and provides the reasons for choosing this model and any supporting evidence, including practitioner expertise and client feedback as well as research evidence. Submit the form to your DCJ contract manager. They will share this with the CAFS program area for a decision.

Any proposed supported playgroup model should follow the best practice principles identified from the Supported Playgroups Evidence Scan and align with the Early Years Learning Framework. 

Service providers should also consider the specific requirements appropriate to CALD families, including CALD facilitators and translated resources.

Service providers can offer to deliver a combination of one or more different models under different service types. For example, contracts can be negotiated to have a portion of service delivered under the Wellbeing and Safety supported playgroup service type, and a portion under Community Strengthening social participation service type (if delivering a community playgroup). This may be appropriate when it is identified that supported playgroup participants could also benefit from being part of a community playgroup to keep them engaged and connected for longer (after completing the supported playgroup sessions), and a service can offer both types of playgroups. We encourage you to discuss this with your DCJ contract manager.

There could also be a variation in how this is implemented in practice, depending on the local demand for playgroups and what outcomes your service is looking to achieve by offering playgroups. For some service providers, there may be enough demand and capacity to offer both supported playgroups and community playgroups all year round. This is a matter for discussion when setting service delivery parameters with your DCJ contract manager.

The list of evidence-informed parenting programs and supported playgroup models were sourced from DCJ commissioned evidence reviews that identified programs/models with a high-strength evidence base. For example, evaluated using a rigorous quantitative method such as randomised controlled trial or quasi-experimental design. We recognise the limited number of Aboriginal programs and models here, and the need for further research to build the evidence base for Aboriginal programs, particularly well-designed quantitative studies with control groups. 

Aboriginal-led Early Support Program Evidence Review

As noted in the DCJ-commissioned Aboriginal-led Early Support Programs Evidence Review, it is generally accepted within Aboriginal communities that ACCOs are best placed to understand, design, and deliver services that respond to the needs of their communities. However, there is limited information on what evidence exists about the characteristics, implementation and impact of Aboriginal-led programs designed to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal families and communities. 

This review consolidated a broad range of evidence on early support programs which were designed, led and delivered by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people, and assessed this evidence according to culturally-informed criteria. This review identified eight common themes among the highly-rated evidence about Aboriginal-led early support programs designed for Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities.

Parenting programs

ACCOs and non-ACCOs with Aboriginal staff delivering Indigenous parenting programs or Indigenous supported playgroups to Aboriginal families and communities should offer parenting programs and supported playgroups that are locally designed with input from community and practitioner expertise. Service providers may also choose to use culturally adapted models/programs where appropriate for their client need, for example, Indigenous Triple P.

Supported playgroups

The Supported Playgroups Evidence Scan identified two supported playgroup models delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Exploring Together Preschool Program (ETPP) and KindiLink, that show a promising evidence base. The Supported Playgroups Evidence Scan also identified a number of key elements of successful Aboriginal supported playgroups delivered to Aboriginal people.

These resources may be useful when delivering supported playgroups to Aboriginal families. 

The CAFS program is committed to building the evidence base for Aboriginal-led programs and models. The CAFS program area has developed a form to collect information about Indigenous parenting programs and Indigenous supported playgroups to further understand what is currently being delivered. Providers should indicate in the form whether they are interested in an evaluation of their program/model. Completing this form is optional.

Yes. A new form is required for each locally applied parenting program and/or supported playgroup model. But one form can be completed for multiple areas/locations, if the same parenting program or supported playgroup model is being delivered in each location.

Service providers should only need to complete a form once, prior to or at the start of their contract for the program/model(s) they are intending to deliver. However, if the program/model(s) later changes, service providers will need to complete a new form.

Note that ACCOs or non-ACCOs with Aboriginal staff delivering a parenting program or supported playgroup to Aboriginal families (Indigenous parenting programs and Indigenous supported playgroups), do not need to complete this form. Providers delivering these service types may choose to complete the separate form to provide information about their program/model for the purpose of building the Aboriginal evidence base but this is optional.

Service providers intending to deliver a locally applied program are required to complete and submit a form as part of the negotiation process for new CAFS contracts.

An example of a completed form is available here to assist service providers.

All CAFS service providers are expected to consider and address the program requirements and Service System Outcomes in their service design and delivery. During the first stage of implementation, supporting the cultural safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal people will be the primary program requirement focus discussed in regular contract management meetings with DCJ contract managers.

Over time, we will work with you around developing additional resources to support the implementation and monitoring of these other program requirements.

There are no timeframes in the CAFS program, with the exception of FCS who can provide services to clients for a maximum of 6 months.

CAFS services should focus on tailoring support to meet client needs and unique circumstances rather than requiring clients to fit into a standardised service model or set timeframes. Service providers are encouraged to work with clients as long as necessary to achieve positive outcomes.

We recognise this may impact contract outputs and encourage you to discuss this with your DCJ contract manager and make necessary output adjustments when negotiating your CAFS contract.

The CAFS program’s cultural safety requirements draw from the Cultural Safety and Wellbeing Evidence Review, which was designed to identify activities, practices or principles that ensure the cultural safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities in early intervention services.

All CAFS service providers (who are not ACCOs are expected to adopt the principles and practice elements of the Cultural Safety and Wellbeing Program Logic (Appendix A of the CAFS Program Specifications) in their service design and delivery.

Both ACCOs and non-ACCOs, working with and delivering services to Aboriginal people and communities, should reflect the eight features of Aboriginal-led early support programs from the Aboriginal-led Early Support Programs Evidence Review in their service design and delivery.

DCJ contract managers and CAFS services will discuss progress during regular contract management meetings (at a minimum quarterly), and DCJ contract managers will be responsible for monitoring provider progress.

We recognise some CAFS service providers are at different points on their journey to building their organisational cultural safety and may need more time to build their capability. Accordingly, there is currently no set timeline for implementation of these requirements. 

The Cultural Safety and Wellbeing Program Logic offers practical and clear guidance on cultural safety at an organisational level. Cultural competency training and development opportunities to support cultural safety will be communicated to the sector as they become available.

DCJ’s online training platform, Change Together, has a Culturally Responsive Practice module. This is available to all CAFS providers.

DCJ contract managers and CAFS service providers will discuss progress on the supporting the cultural safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal people program requirement, during regular contract management meetings (at a minimum quarterly), and DCJ contract managers will be responsible for monitoring service provider progress.

The Outcomes for Aboriginal People in the CAFS Program is additional to the CAFS Program Client Outcomes Framework.  All service providers are required to report on client outcomes from the CAFS Program Client Outcomes Framework in DEX.

We heard from the sector that there are no cultural outcomes in the CAFS Program Client Outcomes Framework and program reporting. Recommendation 6 of the TEI evaluation states that TEI should: Update outcomes measurement approaches. In particular, to reflect cultural outcomes and consider principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

DCJ held several Aboriginal Community Partner Forums in 2024/25, with ACCOs and Aboriginal staff in the sector, to explore what outcomes are important to Aboriginal people in the CAFS program. We heard that culture is at the heart of everything and needs to be embedded across all outcomes. 

Through extensive discussions and co-design work during these forums, the Outcomes for Aboriginal People in the CAFS Program was developed. This is now included at Appendix C of the CAFS Program Specifications.

DCJ will continue to work with the Aboriginal Community Partner Forum to co-design how these outcomes are implemented. 

The CAFS program is committed to Indigenous Data Governance (IDG), consistent with Closing the Gap National Agreement priority reform four ‘Shared access to location specific data and information at a regional level’.  

CAFS will continue to support and work with service providers to support IDG that meets the needs of local communities.

Aboriginal service providers in the program currently have access to all data collected and reported by their organisation and can access and share that data with their stakeholders and community at any time. Program data at a state and local government area level are also currently publicly available through the TEI and FCS dashboards.

The CAFS program will support ACCOs to:

• engage with their local communities to identify local priorities for data collection and drive community-led initiatives that support self-determination through community decision-making
• have the resources to develop their own data collection and storage
• generate data sharing protocols that build on service provider capacity to advocate for the service systems their communities require (e.g. share of associated datasets)
• build technical capability to collect, analyse and report data
• use data to highlight strengths and capacity building perspectives as opposed to risks and gaps
• have the skills to understand the information in DEX reports, where CAFS program data supports local priorities and needs.

The aim is for ACCOs in the CAFS program to:

• be engaged and lead in decision-making about data
• have the opportunity to give feedback that is valued and recognised by DCJ
• lead localised data development activities that are useful for community to enhance data collection
• generate genuine opportunity for greater authority to manage, govern and own data routinely collected
• build capability and expertise to collect, manage and store data effectively.

By empowering Aboriginal service providers to be custodians of their data, data will provide a more meaningful and accurate representation of the outcomes clients and communities achieve.

Through extensive discussions and co-design work during the Aboriginal Community Partner Forums, the Outcomes for Aboriginal People in the CAFS Program was developed. This is now included at Appendix C of the CAFS Program Specifications. DCJ will continue to work with the Aboriginal Community Partner Forum to co-design how these outcomes are implemented.

Organisations delivering community sector coordination activities play a fundamental role in supporting the CAFS sector. In the CAFS program, organisations delivering the community sector coordination service type  are specifically contracted to deliver these services aligned to the CAFS Service System Outcomes, rather than client outcomes. For this reason, these organisations do not need to report their community sector coordination data in DEX. DCJ has developed a Community Sector Coordination reporting tool for organisations who deliver these activities.

Reporting on the community sector coordination service type can happen at any time within the reporting periods, at least 6 monthly via your DCJ contract manager.

See the CAFS Data Collection and Reporting Guide for more information about the reporting on the community sector coordination service type and the Community Sector Coordination Reporting tool.

Aligning with findings from the TEI and FCS evaluations, service types in the CAFS program have been streamlined to reduce duplication and reduce unnecessary reporting. As part of this process, some standalone service types have merged.

Material aid / brokerage

Material aid and brokerage continue to be important to CAFS service delivery, however they are no longer a separate service type. Instead, it can be reported within other service types:

• Community Strengthening program activity - Material aid has been integrated into the information/advice/referral service type, recognising it is often used in conjunction with this service type as a soft entry for clients into the service system.
• Family Connect and Support (FCS) and Wellbeing and Safety program activities – Material aid / brokerage has been integrated into the family capacity building service type.
• Wellbeing and Safety program activity - Material aid has also been incorporated into the newly created service type of youth individualised support. This acknowledges the unique work youth services do to support the wellbeing and safety of young people and the importance of material aid in engaging and case managing young people. 

Despite not being a standalone service type, service providers can still collect data on material aid in DEX. This can be captured using ‘material wellbeing and basic necessities’ as the referral reason or referral purpose. Aggregated data about material wellbeing and basic necessities at an LGA, district and state level is available on the TEI and FCS dashboards. 

Individual service providers can also record information about the cost of material aid through their own budgeting and financial record systems.

Intake and assessment

Intake and assessment is primarily an activity within family capacity building. As a result, it has merged with the family capacity building service type.

Business planning 

Analysis of the business planning service type identified that it was rarely used. As a result, it has merged with the community sector coordination service type. 

Community sector planning

Due to similarities, community sector planning and community sector coordination have merged. All activities within these service types are listed in the community sector coordination service type.

Indigenous social participation

Due to their similarities, Indigenous social participation and Indigenous healing activities have merged. The definition of Indigenous healing activities has been updated to reflect the values and practices of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

If unsure which service types align with the services you deliver, we encourage you to speak with your DCJ contract manager.

Providing neighbourhood and community centres is reflected in the Community Strengthening program activity under the social participation service type. Service providers reporting on neighbourhood and community centre activities should use the social participation service type.

A new service type titled youth individualised support has been introduced in the Wellbeing and Safety program activity to capture the unique work that youth services do to support the wellbeing and safety of young people.

This has been added in response to sector feedback that young people often require access to specific youth related services to support their individual needs (i.e. outside of the family unit).

Youth individualised support includes the following activities targeted at young people:

• intake and assessment
• organising activities to promote greater interconnectedness for young people
• support – navigating government systems, completing forms for access to services (e.g. Centrelink or housing), legal, language etc.
• advocacy
• assistance with employment pathways – such as help with resumes
• counselling
• mediation
• referrals
• material aid (may be offered to clients to support their overall case management)
• mentoring

Service providers are encouraged to choose this service type when working with a young person independently of their family unit. 

Family capacity building provides family support activities to build family capacity in order to address comprehensive needs. This includes developing a case plan and delivering a broad range of case management activities, e.g. intake and assessment, counselling, advocacy, case coordination etc. Family capacity building is delivered individually to parents and families.

Parenting programs provide support specifically targeted at understanding and strengthening parent–child relationships through education, knowledge or practical skill building for parents. Where possible, service providers will select an evidence-informed program from the list of evidence-informed parenting programs. If a provider considers a ‘locally applied’ program is more suitable in their local context, they can propose this option to their DCJ contract manager.

Unlike family capacity building, parenting programs are generally delivered to a group of parents, as opposed to an individual parent 1:1 with a case worker. However, some specific parenting programs may have a home visiting component and can be delivered 1:1. 

Supported playgroups are an opportunity for parents or caregivers to share experiences of parenting and learn new parenting skills while being supported by workers who coordinate the activities. They also provide children with an opportunity to socialise, play and learn in a structured and positive environment as well as participating in age-appropriate learning experiences and activities to help them become school ready. Supported playgroups are facilitated by a professional and qualified worker and are a more targeted service model for families with particular needs or vulnerabilities, compared to community playgroups.

Community playgroups are informal gatherings where babies, toddlers and pre-school aged children and their parents or carers can come together to learn through play and connect with one another.  These groups can be run by a worker or volunteer and are generally self-managed. Community playgroups are for all families.

Choosing to deliver a supported playgroup or community playgroup should be based on the needs of the local community and local context, and in conversation with your DCJ contract manager.

If unsure which service types align with the services you deliver or wish to deliver to meet local needs, we encourage you to speak with your DCJ contract manager.

Community engagement is the organising of community events or festivals or planning activities with community members that align with, or would achieve, CAFS outcomes. This may also include consultation activities with community. Organising community events or festivals can only be counted, if the service is responsible for organising and running the event.

Service providers delivering community engagement will primarily collect and report unidentified group clients in DEX.

Social participation is the initiation or facilitation of community workshops and activities that are in line with CAFS outcomes. This includes:

• social, cultural, recreational, youth activities, art or language activities; workshops; or linking up members of a community around a shared issue,
• activities that encourage connectedness for community members, which would increase social inclusion, connection and participation. For example, community playgroups, mentoring, leadership programs, peer support, relationship, social skills, whether delivered one on one or in a group.
• providing spaces for clients to have an opportunity to connect with others, such as a neighbourhood or community centre, informal locations, or online to achieve the CAFS outcomes.

Unlike when delivering community engagement, when delivering social participation, service providers should collect and report individual client details and outcomes in DEX, where possible.

The service type definitions in the CAFS Program Specifications. provide additional examples to distinguish the two service types.

Please note that the hiring out of spaces/venues has been removed from the definitions of both service types as this is not part of the CAFS program.