The KODY Project Professionals

The KODY project operates at the intersection of harmful behaviours, drugs and alcohol, and the impacts that has on family relationships. During the KODY program, fathers will participate in both the Caring Dads program and AOD counselling, while mothers, fathers and their children will have the opportunity to work with Kids in Focus.

Kids First has partnered with Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) to build on the practice learnings and developments of the three site Victorian Caring Dads trial (2016-2020), and deliver a service that focusses on the intersections between DFV and alcohol and other drug use (AOD). Fathers receiving services from OHV (or other partner agencies) across the North East/Hume Moreland (Kids First Caring Dads) and Western Melbourne catchments are able to participate in the KODY project.
Odyssey House Victoria is known for the development of innovative and responsive practice at the intersection of AOD treatment and child and family support services. For over thirty years, the agency has provided a range of residential and non-residential AOD services, including outreach to parents affected by substance use, and their children.

The partnership with OHV aims to directly address the limitations identified in the evaluation of the Caring Dads program, including that OHV’s case management role will provide a continuing, long-term monitoring of men’s fathering roles that extends beyond holding men accountable for abusive and harmful behaviour, to promoting healthy and respectful relationships with their partners and children.

KODY comprises the following elements:
• Caring Dads program (Victorian Model of Service)
• Kids in Focus program to partner with the mother/non-offending parent and engage with children, and fathers where applicable
• Case coordination throughout by referring practitioners