Family Reconciliation and Mediation Program
FRMP is a state wide initiative that originated from the Office of Housing’s Youth Homelessness Action Plan (YHAP) initiated through the Victorian Homelessness Strategy (VHS). The initial pilot program was funded for 3 years. FRMP has been confirmed as recurrently funded effective from July 2009.
FRMP has four positions: Manager, Team Leader, Capacity Building Worker and Brokerage Liaison Worker.
FRMP targets young people aged 15-25 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with a focus on both those that are newly homeless and those who have experienced homelessness.
The program supports and helps strengthen current homelessness service sector capacity to improve young people's relationships with their families and, where possible, facilitate a return to their family home. In addition, FRMP provides front-end family-focussed interventions in targeted geographical areas that do not currently have mediation and reconciliation services.
FRMP has a significant focus on community capacity building.
FRMP has brokerage funds for workers to access for clients in areas for reconciliation, mediation and other types of interventions that support young people to improve their relationship with "family".
In addition, FRMP provides professional development for youth homelessness workers in family mediation and reconciliation interventions.
The FRMP website provides information and resources on:
- reconciliation and mediation brokerage application kit
- database of providers (counsellors, psychologists, mediators and family group conference co-ordinators
- locator maps in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria
- group work program and brokerage
- quarterly newsletter and six monthly brokerage report
- family mediation
- peer support, professional development and training
- SAAP Family Reconciliation Worker Network
- SAAP and other referral information
