Aboriginal community groups will be given responsibility for the case management of indigenous children in out-of-home care as part of an almost $60 million Victorian government budget package.
Families and Children Minister Jenny Mikakos has announced $47.3 million in the upcoming Victorian budget to address the over-representation of Aboriginal children and youth in child protection and care.
The aim is to improve cultural connections for Aboriginal youth in care and move case management of indigenous children in out-of-home care to Aboriginal-controlled organisations.
It is part of a tripartite partnership between the government, community service organisations and the Aboriginal community to implement a children and families agreement.
An extra $10.8 million will be used to extend the Koori Youth Justice program and examine 250 Aboriginal youth cases to find underlying causes for their offending.
Youth in custody would also be linked to a mentor in an elder support program to be established.
Ms Mikakos signed the announcement on Thursday at parliament house with representatives from the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, the Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People's Alliance and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.
"We're breaking new ground in supporting Aboriginal children and families - this is the most comprehensive and collaborative approach our state has ever seen," Ms Mikakos said.
Aboriginal Affairs minister Natalie Hutchins said Aboriginal organisations were crucial to reducing the over-representation of indigenous children in care.
It is part of Labor's $168 million plan to transform Aboriginal child and family services in 2015.
Australian Associated Press