WalkTall

How to reach the Walk Tall program

Daniel Morcombe FoundationThe Big Pineapple76 Nambour Connection RoadWoombye QLD 4559PO Box 565Palmwoods QLD 4555(07) 5442 1517

About Act for KidsAct for Kids is an Australian not-for-profit organisation providing free professional therapy and support services for children and their families.

For over 26 years we have helped thousands of Australian children and families through counselling and family support. Through integrated therapy we offer children and their families the support they need to raise happy, healthy kids and enjoy positive family relationships.

Act for Kids works to:

• keep kids safe by providing information, support and counselling to help parents care for their children

• help families develop new ways to cope in times of stress

• support and counsel children who have experienced trauma through abuse or neglect.

About the Daniel Morcombe FoundationThe Daniel Morcombe Foundation Inc. (DMF) is committed to Keeping Kids Safe. It was established by parents Bruce and Denise Morcombe in 2005 after their son Daniel was abducted and murdered in December 2003 while waiting to catch a bus on the Sunshine Coast.

The Foundation was established as a lasting legacy to Daniel and now has two main aims; to educate children on how to stay safe in a physical and online environment and to support young victims of crime.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation works to:

• educate children regarding their personal safety (including abduction)

• assist victims of crime, particularly where crime involves children

• remember Daniel with suitable child safety community awareness events

• support the families of Missing Persons particularly where it involves children.

What is Walk Tall?Walk Tall is funded by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and is managed by Act for Kids.

Walk Tall provides counselling and emotional support to children and adolescents on the Sunshine Coast who have either experienced or are at risk of physical, emotional and/or sexual harm. We also specialise in working with victims of, and those impacted by crime.

The service is staffed by a registered psychologist who will assist children and young people to overcome their experiences and challenges through counselling so they can reach their full potential.

We also work with the child’s family/carers to help them deal with the child’s behaviour or challenges and to reinforce their progress in therapy at home.

We can help with:• providing a safe place for children to express

and process difficult thoughts and feelings

• giving children the opportunity to explore the impact of their experiences

• supporting children and young people to develop skills for managing difficult feelings

• empowering parents/carers to help them deal with the child’s challenges.

It’s a voluntary program but we need consent before we begin working with the child and/or family.

How does it work?Walk Tall aims to help strengthen the wellbeing of children and young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma and/or loss as a result of a crime as well as those at risk of physical, emotional and/or sexual harm.

In addition, the service will provide support to non-offending family members and caregivers to assist them in developing the necessary skills to enhance the psychological wellbeing of the child, or children in their family. As it is important to ensure our work is integrated into the life or plans for the child(ren) and young people, we also aim to work closely with their personal and professional network.

Who should I refer?Walk Tall is designed for children and young people up to 18 years of age and their carers/family, to help them overcome their experiences and challenges. This service is available to children in Nambour or the Sunshine Coast region whose families/carers want support from our Walk Tall program.

Referrals can be submitted by a community support agency or self-referral representing the child, young person and or non-offending family/carer.

Before completing the referral form we recommend an initial telephone enquiry be made to a staff member (07 5442 1517) to discuss the referral and eligibility.

Your rights and responsibilitiesUnder the Privacy Act 1988 you have the right to access your personal information.

The information cannot be removed or copied. The records are the property of Act for Kids and this protects and ensures your privacy and security.

Your discussions with our team are confidential and will remain private unless there are concerns about the safety of yourself or others.