Hibiscus Coast
Covers Dairy Flat, Whangaparaoa, Orewa to Puhoi.
Chairperson of Local Management Group
Name: John Hoult
Address: PO Box 72, Orewa 0946
Phone: (09) 487 1100
Mobile: 027 449 9795
E-mail: John Hoult
Strengthening Families Coordinators
Name: Carolyn Hanson
Address: Coast Youth Community Trust, P O Box 98, Whangaparaoa 0943
Phone: (09) 424 7338
Mobile: 027 767 3222
Fax: (09) 424 2070
E-mail: Carolyn Hanson
How does it work on the Hibiscus Coast?
Anyone can initiate a meeting on the family's behalf, or the family can approach an agency, or the local coordinator, if they would like to begin the process for themselves. It is entirely voluntary.
If the family is happy to have a Strengthening Families meeting held:
- They sign a Consent Form with the agency worker
- They help agency worker fill out a Referral Form, giving details of whom the meeting is for, what the main issues are, and who should be invited. The agency will then forward the Referral Form to the Strengthening Families Coordinator, who will work with the family on deciding where the meeting will be held and what outcome they would like achieved.
An independent facilitator will be provided and supportive friends or family are welcome. The coordinator will contact those identified by family to be present, giving enough notice for them to be able to attend (2-3 weeks).
Aim of the Meeting
The first meeting will probably take between one and two hours. The aim will be to:
- Agree on the key problems and ideas to solve them.
- Come away with a plan that matches the help that is available to meet the needs of the family.
- Choose someone who will oversee the plan.
- Explain clear roles for all the agencies who will continue to be involved.
- Give a time-frame for action and set up a date to review the plan.
Throughout the process the family have freedom of choice and have the right to withdraw at any stage if they wish.