Tristan O’Connor – Justice Services Manager

What do you do at Karralika?

I manage the Community Services programs in the ACT and region at Karralika, with several programs falling under that banner.

• Intake, Assessment and Aftercare – supports anyone wanting to access our Canberra based residential therapeutic community programs from first contact through to intake to program. The team then link up with people exiting any of our ACT programs that need some support either with continued recovery, accessing other services or just general support to reintegrate after residential.

• Community Rehabilitation and Recovery Service – a transitional housing program lead by a Counsellor and a Lived Experience Mentor. This program supports people exiting our ACT residential services who don’t have safe and stable accommodation to return to after completing their residential program treatment. The focus is on recovery and relapse prevention, living skills and reintegration to community.

• Matrix Day Program – a 16-week, evidenced-based group day program complimented by individual counselling and case management, also supported by a Lived Experience Mentor. The program also seeks to actively engage nominated family or support persons for the person attending.

• Fortis Day Program – supporting people in the Queanbeyan/Palerang region via hybrid delivery, this group program is designed specifically for parents and caregivers. Also, a 16-week, evidence-based group program assisting clients in finding or strengthening their recovery pathway to improve their wellbeing and parenting skills. The team offers counselling, case management, and Lived Experience Mentor support.

What do you like about working at Karralika?

I love that Karralika is a forward-thinking, social justice-driven organisation. Our primary aim for each worker, no matter their position, is to assist people to live meaningful, fulfilling lives as they choose. I also appreciate that everyone in our organisation has the opportunity to be innovative, have the opportunity to have input and collaborate on various things.

My main drive is to help people find themselves. Whether that is via direct support or providing smooth systems for others to provide that support, my aim has always been to provide the means for others to self-actualise. A large part of that for me is advocacy, education and addressing systemic barriers to access to services.

What is your background?

I started my career in Mental Health and Disability Services and spent approximately 12 years being involved in the sector in various positions from direct support to team leadership to management. I moved into the alcohol and other drug sector in 2016 with Karralika and I have been involved in a little bit of everything in my time here, starting in the Intake and Assessment Case Manager role, moving into working with people exiting our Therapeutic Community into the then Transition program, moving into a management role with Justice Services. I have qualifications in both Disability Services and AOD and am currently undertaking my Bachelor in Social Work.