Strengthening Families
At ACROSS, we offer the Strengthening Families process to help families navigate challenges and achieve their goals by bringing together the right support and resources. This process is tailored to meet the unique needs of each family, ensuring that every family gets the assistance they need to build a stronger, healthier future.
The Process:
Getting Started
The first step is connecting with our coordinator, who will help determine if Strengthening Families is a good fit for your situation.
You and your family will sign a consent form, agreeing to participate in the process and allowing the sharing of relevant information between the involved agencies. It’s important to know that you have control over who participates – you decide who is included in the process, and no one can join without your approval.
Preparing for the First Hui (Meeting)
Once you’ve decided to move forward, our coordinator will work with you to prepare for the first meeting. Together, you will discuss who should attend, where and when the meeting will be held, and what topics will be covered. This stage also helps you reflect on your strengths, priorities, and dreams, ensuring that the meeting is focused on your family’s unique needs.
First Hui (Meeting)
At the first meeting, you, along with the people you’ve invited, will discuss what you want to achieve and the support you need to reach your goals. You’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts, and each participant will discuss how they can contribute. We make sure the meeting respects your values and cultural practices, and you can also bring along a support person to be there with you.
Agree on Actions
Together with the agencies and your family, you will agree on specific actions to take and set deadlines for completion. These action points are written down and shared with everyone involved. If you don’t have a primary contact person already, this will be established at this stage to ensure you have someone guiding the process.
Carry Out the Actions
Each agency involved is responsible for fulfilling the commitments they made during the meeting. Your main contact person will track progress and follow up if any action points are not completed on time. If necessary, additional meetings may be scheduled to review progress and address any challenges that arise, ensuring that everyone stays on track.
All Done
Once all actions in the plan have been completed, the process comes to an end. You and your family will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the Strengthening Families process, which will be used to improve the experience for other families. If further support is needed, you can initiate a new action plan and continue the process with additional support.
Strengthening Families is about bringing together the right people and resources to empower your family to overcome challenges, reach your goals, and thrive. Through a collaborative and culturally respectful process, we work alongside you to create lasting positive change for your family.
Who It's For
Strengthening Families is available to any family, as long as children up to the age of 18 are involved.
Families of all types and sizes use Strengthening Families, including:
Solo parents
Grandparents raising grandchildren
Teenage parents
Foster parents
And any other family structure you can think of.
Strengthening Families is designed for families who need support from more than one community or government service when facing challenges such as:
Finding a warm, comfortable home
Getting help with the health or behaviour of your tamariki or rangatahi
Financial struggles
Challenges with your child’s school performance
Coping with stress at home
Family relationship issues
Family violence
Addiction
Your family may already be working with multiple agencies, but you don’t need to be involved with more than one when you first reach out to us. Strengthening Families is here to bring the support you need together.
How to Refer for Strengthening Families
To refer yourself or a whānau to Strengthening Families, click below to and complete the referral form and download the consent form. Once completed, please email the consent form to Stacy. She will then be in touch to guide you through the next steps and discuss how we can best support your whānau.
Strengthening Families Coordinator
Stacy Vis