Cyrenian House has worked extensively towards improving engagement and retention of Aboriginal people in treatment.

Cyrenian House currently holds six priority places in the Therapeutic Community specifically for Aboriginal people.

Cyrenian House is recognised within the AOD sector for providing higher than average services to Aboriginal consumers, and feedback from Aboriginal consumers supports the claim that the services are culturally secure.

Artwork by a TC resident, 2009

The main language group (but not exclusively) currently accessing services at Cyrenian House is the Nyoongar people. The Nyoongar people are the largest Aboriginal nation comprising 28-30,0000 people from 14 clans. The Nyoongar nation covers the south west corner of Western Australia and the impact of colonization in terms of damage to the spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing of the Nyoongar people is evidenced by poverty, poor health, family violence, and hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and other drugs. Cultural maintenance and revival is viewed as integral to individual and community healing.

Providing appropriate, adequate services to Aboriginal people is a continuing priority for Cyrenian House. Cyrenian House is guided by the WA AOD Sector Quality Framework Performance Expectations pertaining to the provision of service to Aboriginal people. Continual quality improvement for Aboriginal services is a focus for managers, clinicians, administration and support staff.

In 2007 in an endeavour to improve services Cyrenian House, the Drug and Alcohol Office and the Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Service formed a partnership to enable indigenous populations to access alcohol and/or drug residential treatment.  This resulted in allocating 6 beds within our Mixed Gender Programme to be held for indigenous consumers.

Cultural security training for Cyrenian House staff is a core competency requirement. Cultural security for Aboriginal consumers in Cyrenian House residential services is supported by three Aboriginal workers employed within the Therapeutic Community. 

‘Mapping’ by Angie, 2009

To further develop a culturally appropriate service, we undertook a process which included extensive consultation with people and services in the Kimberley region and a fact-finding journey to the Northern Territory to see first-hand the services which are working most effectively with Aboriginal people.  The CEO of Cyrenian House, together with the Manager of the TC, and the Executive Director and Clinical Manager of the Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Service (AADS) undertook a tour of all AOD services in the Kimberley region, with particular emphasis on the Kimberley Community Drug Service Team and the Milliya Rumurra Aboriginal Corporation, which operates a residential rehabilitation service in Broome.  The group also visited the Council for Aboriginal Alcohol Program Services (CAAPS) Dolly Garinyi Hostel in Darwin, and Aranda House, run by the Drug and Alcohol Services Association (DASA) in Alice Springs. 

‘Movement’ by Angie, 2009

Each of these services had a different approach and outlook in working with Aboriginal people, and provided valuable information about culturally sensitive Aboriginal issues and concerns.  This included the consideration of a number of issues, including the provision of services to Aboriginal people from different language or skin groups/family clans.  This allowed us the opportunity to see what works and to develop an intervention and service specifically tailored to the needs of our Indigenous community. 

The aim of these visits was to train agencies in completing preliminary assessment of prospective clients to streamline the overall assessment process.  All parties involved have agreed that it is an innovative project and the beginning of enhancing community development for Aboriginal people.

As a result, pathways were implemented for easier referral and assessment processes for Aboriginal people.  A DVD was launched in 2009 to inform Aboriginal people of the options available for them in Western Australia.  This was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing offering Aboriginal access to withdrawal and rehabilitation services. 

Cyrenian House recognises that learning styles, literacy skills, and different world views can all impact in a positive or negative way on the overall treatment experience.  Practice wisdom informs us that providing multiple avenues for people to express themselves creates safety, trust and confidence in a resident’s ability to fully participate in the treatment process. 

Materials used in the Therapeutic Community (TC) for working with Aboriginal people include the Strong Spirit Strong Mind AOD resources developed by the Aboriginal Alcohol and other drugs program Programme branch of the Drug and Alcohol Office.  These resources are evidence based and have been developed specifically by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people. 

‘Pathways’ by Angie, 2009

Cyrenian House is aware that mainstream counselling is not always appropriate for Aboriginal people as formal counselling environments can often be a silencing factor in their recovery.  Rather than limiting options to verbal or written mediums, Aboriginal TC residents are given opportunities to express themselves through art and storytelling.

In consultation with the Aboriginal workers a ‘Meeting Place’ has been constructed for Aboriginal residents, families  and workers within the grounds of the Therapeutic Community.  The facility incorporates an open roof for smoking ceremonies, informal seating arrangements for counselling and an environment suitable for art projects. 

The Aboriginal staff members at Cyrenian House provide ongoing support to all staff, including the non-residential staff, to maintain appropriate services for all Aboriginal consumers accessing Cyrenian House services. Cyrenian House’s working partnership with AADS provides further reference point for staff for maintaining culturally secure practice. Existing Aboriginal staff greatly enhances successful recruitment and retention of future Aboriginal staff by offering recruitment support and ongoing peer support.

Cyrenian House is recognised within the AOD sector for providing higher than average services to Aboriginal consumers, and feedback from Aboriginal consumers supports the claim that the services are culturally secure.