Care and Recovery Coordination is a catchment-based service that supports individuals experiencing complex challenges to achieve their recovery goals. Since changes to the Victorian service in 2014, the role of Care and Recovery Coordination has been focused on providing care that is individualised and flexible. Tiesha – one of Windana’s Care and Recovery Coordinators working in our Community Services team – tells us more about Care and Recovery Coordination and how it can help rebuild lives.

“I work alongside clients to achieve their recovery goals”.

A Care and Recovery Coordinator’s role is to facilitate care pathways and integrated treatment for individuals requiring multiple-agency, collaborative care from alcohol and other drug treatment services, and other health and support services.

Windana’s Care and Recovery Coordinators are experienced in working with people to set recovery goals and develop treatment plans. They assist with submitting referrals and developing collaborative service pathways that are tailored to each client’s needs.

Tiesha says that Care and Recovery Coordination is a person-centred service all about matching people with the right services for their needs.

“We look at the big picture of what’s going on in a client’s life and make connections with resources in the community that can help.”

A client’s treatment plan takes a collaborative approach to recovery and includes a mix of services from Windana as well as those not directly related to alcohol and other drugs.

“We identify what the gaps are for a client and help direct them where to go to fill those gaps.”

Tiesha explains that Care and Recovery Coordination can be a huge help to people experiencing all kinds of complex situations. There is not a set mould that someone needs to fit into to be eligible for the service. A client may feel Care and Recovery Coordination is right for them if they are experiencing different challenges at the same time – such as mental health, disability, homelessness, legal difficulties, family violence or inequalities based on culture and gender identity. These challenges can be barriers to getting help for substance use and can make it difficult to navigate treatment options alone.

“Care and Recovery Coordination is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to engage with a coordinator that can provide a myriad of supports. You do not need to do it alone, there is hope!”

At Windana, regular appointments between a client and their Care and Recovery Coordinator can be in-person, over phone calls or through video chat. In the first few appointments Tiesha and a client will get to know each other, gather valuable information, and build a treatment plan together – highlighting goals to work towards. The length of time a client is engaged with the Care and Recovery Coordination service depends on their needs and the organisation they are accessing the service through.

Tiesha listens to and supports clients – without judgement or bias getting in the way. Behind the scenes, Tiesha and other Care and Recovery Coordinators use analytic thinking to assess a client’s risk, plan what they might need down the track and collaborate with other health professionals for a holistic treatment plan.

Care and Recovery Coordination is particularly crucial when a client is waiting to begin a rehabilitation program. This can be a challenging time requiring patience and resilience for clients who are ready for change. While the client waits for their admission they may have fortnightly, weekly or even daily appointments with their Care and Recovery Coordinator to focus on planning, therapeutic support, harm minimisation and outreach appointments – such as going to the doctor.

People in Victoria interested in referral to Care and Recovery Coordination can contact DirectLine 24-hours a day on 1800 888 236 or visit www.directline.org.au. If someone’s already engaged with alcohol and other drug programs or services, they can also ask a worker there about accessing Care and Recovery Coordination.

“The most rewarding part of my role is witnessing clients change the way they think of themselves, from negative to positive,” says Tiesha.

Care and Recovery Coordination helps clients see the strengths they possess to make positive changes.

“Achieving goals can be a life-changing experience.” 

Useful resources

Lifeline
24-hour crisis support. Call PH: 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat through the website: https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/.

Windana Care and Recovery Coordination service webpage
Information about Care and Recovery Coordination at Windana. Includes link to a PDF leaflet that can be downloaded.

DirectLine
Offering alcohol and other drug counselling and referrals, DirectLine is a first step for getting support and finding a local Intake and Assessment service.
PH: 1800 888 236 (24/7)

Victorian Department of Health webpage on Care and Recovery Coordination
Provides information on the Care and Recovery Coordination treatment stream in Victoria’s alcohol and other drug system including a description of the service, its objectives and eligibility.