First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing Grants
About the grants
The First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Program provides funding to First Nations providers to deliver a suite of trauma-informed programs to strengthen social, cultural, educational, and vocational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people experiencing vulnerability.
Grants up to $400,000 were available for initiatives that demonstrated programs co-designed with local leadership to improve mental health and social emotional wellbeing outcomes, reduce harm and increase safety associated with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, and reduce rates of suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The First Nations SEWB Program is a collaborative initiative as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the:
- Queensland Mental Health Commission
- Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism.
Assessment
An expert panel, including departmental and inter-agency representatives and community leaders, reviewed proposals against the fact sheet and funding guidelines in accordance with the following key criteria:
- alignment to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and commitment to the principles of self-determination and local decision-making, demonstrated by evidence of support and ongoing engagement of local leaders in delivery (e.g. through support letters, governance structure, workforce)
- robust planning, design, and governance mechanisms
- organisational capability and capacity to deliver high quality initiatives within agreed timeframes to meet appropriate reporting requirements
- evidence based initiatives with measurable outcomes
- program sustainability
- project leadership by a suitable community-based organisation and implementation by a majority community-based workforce
- for fly in-fly out organisations, demonstrated commitment to building local workforce capacity and transitioning to a local service provider in the medium to long term.
List of 2024 grant recipients
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council: The Future is in Your Hands
To engage young people and enhance their mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing through a range of activities including forming a partnership with Deadly Choices and developing a youth strategy with Kowanyama’s young people.
Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation: Thrive Together
To deliver the ‘Thrive Together: PPAC Social and Emotional Wellbeing Initiative’ offering individuals and families in Pormpuraaw culturally sensitive mental health support and counselling services.
Gunya Meta: Healing Spirit Together
A culturally sensitive trauma-informed program where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the Logan community can identify, explore, and begin the healing process of intergenerational trauma.
Central West Aboriginal Corporation: CWAC Horsemanship Therapy
To deliver the CWAC Horsemanship Therapy Program for at-risk Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to boost confidence and redirect them to activities that strengthen connections to culture and Country.
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council: Cherbourg Stronger, Healthier Together
To deliver the Cherbourg Stronger, Healthier Together project to assist young people to find meaningful work in community that connects them to community, culture, and country.
Wujal Wujal Justice Group Indigenous Inc.: Healing On Country Program
To support the ‘Healing on Country’ program by providing local young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples culturally safe opportunities for healing trauma including traditional hunting and gathering, storytelling and camping.
Contact us
For more information, please email closingthegapprogrammanagement@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.