Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families

The Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) uses the term ‘Aboriginal’ to refer to people who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. We do this because first nations people of South Australia are Aboriginal, and we respect that many Aboriginal people prefer the term ‘Aboriginal’.

CaFHS acknowledges the gap in the health status and life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians remains unacceptably wide and the need for early engagement, identification and supports is crucial in reducing this gap.

The Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) has a number of Aboriginal Cultural Child and Family Support Consultants (ACCFSCs) based at various sites across the state, whose role is to support parents and carers of Aboriginal identified infants.

This support can include:

• access and engagement with CaFHS services and staff
• home and/or clinic visits
• parent education
• child development
• connecting families with other services either within CaFHS or the broader community.

Aboriginal Cultural Child and Family Support Consultants contribute to improving the health, development and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal children and families, through direct supports and guiding and supporting non-Aboriginal CaFHS staff in providing culturally sensitive and respectful services to families, ensuring culture is considered in service delivery and supports.

Should you wish to speak to an Aboriginal staff member, please contact CaFHS on 1300 733 606 and ask for an Aboriginal staff member to give you a call back.