• Brighter Futures is a family preservation service that currently offers support to families who have a child between 0 – 9 years of age. Brighter Futures will be expanding this age range over the next 3 years in line with the recommissioning of preservation services.

Brighter Futures supports families who are experiencing vulnerabilities, such as:

• Parental and child mental health/trauma
• Parental drug and alcohol misuse
• Domestic and family violence
• Parenting challenges
• Child behavioural issues

Brighter Futures is funded by the Department of Communities and Justice and operates statewide. Brighter Futures Far North Coast is administrated by the Consortium of Neighbourhood Centres (CoNC) via its lead agency, Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre.

Brighter Futures Far North Coast services the communities between Grafton and Tweed Heads. Brighter Futures Far North Coast has
offices located at:

• The New School of Arts (Grafton)
• Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre (Evans Head)
• Goonellabah
• Ballina
• Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre
• Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre
• Pottsville Neighbourhood Centre

Brighter Futures is a voluntary service that aims to reduce risks and improve safety for children and young people by supporting the whole family to make positive changes. Brighter Futures key focus is to support children to continue to live at home safely with their families by providing interventions that aim to strengthen families. Brighter Futures typically works with families for around 12 months, but can work for as long as 18 months. Brighter Futures provides support to families in the form of case management by working to build on individual and family strengths to address areas of need.

Brighter Futures Far North Coast offers a number of parenting programs to participating families, such as Circle of Security, Psychology of Parenting and 10 Magic Strategies. Brighter Futures Far North Coast also offers tailored parenting support in regards to routines and specific parenting strategies.

Brighter Futures Far North Coast acknowledges the impact of trauma on families and individuals and upholds trauma-informed practices within the program. Brighter Futures Far North Coast promotes a culturally safe environment and welcomes peoples from all cultures and backgrounds.