Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation

Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) based in Boorloo (Perth) on Whadjuk Noongar country. It was established to provide culturally strong, trauma-informed, and child and family-focused support to First Nations children, young people, families, and communities, particularly in areas of child protection, out-of-home care, and youth justice. The organisation is deeply rooted in cultural connection and healing, aiming to strengthen identity and belonging for First Nations children who are in care or at risk of disconnection from their culture.

Community Foster Care: Culturally Strong Therapeutic Support

The Community Foster Care program is Karla Kuliny’s flagship activity, delivering therapeutic, culturally safe foster care for First Nations children and young people in the Perth metropolitan region. This program emphasises maintaining cultural identity and connection through tailored cultural plans and ongoing support for carers, ensuring children receive healing-centred care that respects their heritage and trauma experiences. It fosters strong relationships between carers, children, families, and communities to promote wellbeing and cultural continuity.

Mission and Vision

Karla Kuliny’s mission is to create positive change in service delivery for First Nations children and families by providing culturally strong, trauma-informed, and therapeutic care. Its vision is to support the emotional and cultural needs of Aboriginal children and young people, ensuring they grow up with a strong sense of identity, belonging, and connection to their culture and community.

Main Objectives

• Deliver culturally safe and trauma-informed foster care services.
• Support First Nations children to maintain and strengthen cultural connections.
• Empower foster carers with cultural knowledge and therapeutic support.
• Collaborate with families, communities, and allied organisations to improve outcomes.
• Promote healing and resilience through culturally grounded care models.

Benefiting Groups

• First Nations children and young people in out-of-home care or at risk of disconnection from culture.
• Foster carers who provide care to Aboriginal children, including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous carers.
• Families and communities seeking support to maintain cultural ties and wellbeing.
• Aboriginal Elders and cultural leaders involved in guiding care and cultural governance.

Types of Services or Activities

• Therapeutic foster care with cultural planning and ongoing support for carers and children.
• Cultural connection programs such as Connecting Our Way, supporting children’s identity and heritage exploration.
• Care coordination involving collaboration with families, carers, and external agencies.
• Training and empowerment for foster carers to understand trauma and cultural needs.
• Partnerships with organisations like the Australian Childhood Foundation to enhance therapeutic care models.