Our Strong and Deadly Boorais (SDB) program supports Aboriginal children and young people in care by providing individual and tailored education support.   

Who is this program for?

• Young mob aged 5-18 years living in kinship, foster, residential or lead tenant care. 
• Disengaged or at risk of disengagement from school.
• Need help with improving their literacy and numeracy skills.
• Attending school or (if not enrolled in school) living in North East Melbourne, Outer Eastern Melbourne and Inner Gippsland areas.

Get started

• Your school, case worker, family member or carer might refer you to the program. Or you can refer yourself. Referral is via the emails below.
• We will work with you one-on one for up to 12 months (and maybe more) and can be flexible about where and when.
• We focus on literacy and numeracy skills and create a learning program that is best for you.
• We can provide specialised support if you have learning or intellectual disabilities as well as neurodiverse conditions such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD.
• Together we will come up with a plan for you based on your goals. This might be supporting you with school engagement or your school work, or starting vocational training or exploring other career pathways.

More information

Strong and Deadly Boorais Flyer (pdf)

Referral form (Word doc - automatic download)

Contact

General enquiries: SDB@vacca.org

Referrals and enquiries in your local area:

SDB North East Melbourne: SDBNorth@vacca.org

SDB Outer Eastern Melbourne:  SDBOuterEast@vacca.org

SDB Inner Gippsland: SDBGippsland@vacca.org

Note: This program, also known as Education Support for Children in Care (ESCC), is also offered by other community services organisations in these areas. More information can be found here.