About Us
Welcome to Family Support Network Inc.
Empowering families. Connecting communities.
Family Support Network Inc. has been a trusted part of the Lismore and Northern Rivers community for over 30 years. We are a not-for-profit, child safe organisation dedicated to supporting children, young people, parents, and caregivers through inclusive, community-based programs and services.
At the heart of Family Support Network is a vision: for all children and families to feel safe, supported, and included. We work in partnership with families to build on their strengths, help them achieve their goals, and create nurturing, stable environments where children can thrive.
Our programs include family support, parenting programs, supported playgroups, school holiday activities, and community events. We proudly deliver the NSW Department of Communities and Justice funded Targeted Earlier Intervention and Intensive Family Preservation programs, reaching over 1,000 individuals each year through a mix of in centre, outreach, home-based, and community-based supports.
With a strong presence in Lismore and extended services to Nimbin, Family Support Network remains committed to walking alongside families. After the 2022 floods, we relocated Family Support Network’s premises, which will open late 2025.
Family Support Network’s team is made up of experienced, qualified, and compassionate professionals – many of whom bring lived experience – to help shape services that truly meet the needs of our community. Our core values of partnership, respect, integrity, inclusion, and equity guide everything we do.
We are here for families – to listen, to support, and to grow together.
Our Values
Respect
We uphold respect by listening with empathy, valuing every voice, understanding the needs and protecting the rights, dignity and value of children, young people and adults.
Inclusion
We embrace the diversity of cultures, identities, abilities, ages, beliefs, and lived experiences, nurturing environments where everyone feels respected, valued, and welcome.
Partnership
We work alongside families, communities, and organisations, strengthening connection, trust, and collaboration to support safety and wellbeing for all.
Integrity
We embody honesty, accountability, and care by following through on our commitments, modelling safe behaviour, and acting in the best interests of the people we support.
Equality
We demonstrate fairness by recognising different needs, proactively addressing barriers, and challenging injustice so every child, young person and family can access support, connect with their community, and thrive.
Our Vision
Thriving communities where every child and family is safe, connected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Our Purpose & Mission
Our purpose is to empower families and connect communities through respectful, compassionate, and collaborative relationships. We
create safe, inclusive spaces, nurture strengths, and navigate challenges so that every child, young person, and family can thrive.
GET TO KNOW
Our Team
Kaali Ortmann (She/Her)
Chief Executive Officer
Bachelor of Science in Business & Management, Diploma Management & Leadership, Diploma Human Resources Management
Kaali joined Family Support Network in July 2022 and is proud to lead a dedicated team supporting families across Lismore and the wider community. With a strong background in human services and corporate operations, she brings experience as a consultant, community liaison, coach, and educator, working to empower vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Since stepping into the role, Kaali has guided Family Support Network through a period of growth and renewal. Under her leadership, the organisation has expanded its reach and deepened its impact. Her strengths in leadership, quality management, stakeholder engagement, and organisation strategy have helped position Family Support Network for a strong future. Kaali describes this role as the most rewarding and humbling of her career. She is deeply committed to building a safe, inclusive and responsive organisation that walks alongside families with compassion, respect, and purpose.
Amber Gooley (She/Her)
Finance Officer
Bachelor of Visual Arts with Honours, Certificate III Business Administration
Amber originally joined Family Support Network team as an administration officer in 2008, before moving into contact roster officer and finance roles to support the expansion of the team. Her accuracy and flexibility support seamless administrative, client management and record-keeping systems for our organisation. Amber’s commitment to ongoing professional development has been an asset – in addition to completing a BAS Agent Skillset course and other payroll and taxation training, Amber has completed courses including The Accidental Counsellor, Conflict Resolution & Positive Workplace Communication and Keeping Them Safe. Amber’s warm, caring demeanour ensures that prospective participants are greeted with dignity and compassion when enquiring about Family Support Network’s services.
Natalie Russell
Administration Officer
Certificate IV Business and Business Administration, Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Natalie joined Family Support Network in 2022, providing administrative support across the organisation, as well as support to the Lismore Playgroup team. With Natalie’s background in community support and early childcare, she brings a wealth of experience working in partnership with families, and an empathetic approach to communication and relationship building. She is skilled in catering to the individual needs of children, identifying children’s learning capabilities, as well as planning and delivering quality learning activities. Natalie’s bubbly personality and helpful nature ensure that every visitor to Family Support Network is warmly welcomed and informed.
Micaela Martin (She/Her)
Child and Family Practitioner
Master of Social Work, Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Micaela joined the Family Support Network team in 2024 with experience in hospital based social work, women’s health and outreach, and mental health advocacy. Micaela takes a warm, compassionate and trauma-informed approach to working with families and recognises the importance of understanding each family’s unique values, experience, and situation. Micaela is passionate about walking alongside families in their caregiver journey, exploring and finding ways to navigate challenges, advocating for their needs and strengthening connection to themselves, their children and community. Micaela is a registered AASW social worker and certified Circle of Security Parenting facilitator.
Sara Kitchener
Practice Manager
Master of Social Work, Master of Applied Anthropology Bachelor of Arts, Social Science
Sara is as AASW registered social worker who is passionate about supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of children and families. She joined Family Support Network in 2024 with a wealth of person-centred counselling and case management skills. She has extensive experience providing recovery-oriented support and facilitating groups in the Northern Rivers and Melbourne. Sara is trained as a Parents Under Pressure practitioner, a Tuning Into Kids facilitator and in ASIST Suicide Intervention counselling. Sara’s focus on supporting participants’ needs and goals has empowered individuals to improve child- parent relationships, community connections, as well as mental and physical health. As our Practice Manager, Sara’s role supports staff wellbeing and practice with individual and group supervision, as well as facilitating Tuning Into Kids groups. Sara is dedicated to quality assurance and works with the Family Support Network team to improve practice in all areas.
Kelly Poole (She/Her)
Family Preservation Practitioner
Bachelor Social Welfare, Certificate III Teacher Assistant
Kelly began working with Family Support Network in 2018 as the Nimbin Playgroup Facilitator before joining our Intensive Family Preservation Service and Family Support teams in 2019. Kelly is a Parenting Group Facilitator, and qualified to deliver Black Box Parenting, Circle of Security, Bringing up Great Kids, and 123 Magic parenting programs. With a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of each family, Kelly supports families through coaching and empowering them to achieve their goals. Kelly has also completed the Safe and Together model core training for working with families experiencing domestic violence, supporting her focus on keeping children safe and families together. With an in-depth knowledge of trauma-informed practice and child development, the safety and wellbeing of children is at the centre of Kelly’s work.
Julia Rosoff (She/Her)
Child and Family Practitioner / Playgroup Coordinator
Master of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and International Relations
Julia joined Family Support Network in 2022 and is an integral part of the Supported Playgroup and Start Together programs. She holds a Master of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies, with a focus on Decolonial Pedagogy and Practice. With a strong foundation in early childhood development and Montessori education, Julia creates responsive, nurturing environments for children aged 0–5 and their families. She is passionate about culturally informed, trauma-sensitive care that empowers parents and supports holistic growth. Julia’s work ensures families feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.
Courtney Patterson
Child and Family Practitioner
Bachelor Social Science
Courtney joined Family Support Network in 2017 and is currently a member of the Family Work Team and a Parenting Group Facilitator. Courtney loves problem solving and proactively works through life’s challenges with her participants. With a deep understanding of the challenges that can arise for individuals and families, Courtney is committed to empowering parents and fostering positive outcomes for children. She has a toolbox of methods that she draws upon and her clients enjoy learning new skills. Drawing on her diverse professional background, including work experience in community services and volunteering as a lead tenant for Youth Connections North Coast, Courtney is an effective communicator who is highly skilled at engaging children and young people, as well as adults.
Amy Trembath
Family Support Practitioner
Master Applied Social Work, Bachelor of Arts
Amy is a registered AASW social worker who completed her social work training in New Zealand and has lived in the beautiful Northern Rivers for the past 6 years. Amy is passionate about empowering children and young people to achieve positive life outcomes. She has experience working therapeutically and building supportive relationships with children and young people with complex trauma. Amy has extensive experience in the provision of support services and case management for families with disabilities. Amy is a facilitator of the Bringing Up Great Kids parenting program and is working towards becoming a certified Play Therapist.
Kegan Barlow
Project Assistant
Graduate Diploma in Education, Bachelor of Arts
Kegan joined Family Support Network in 2025 with a career spanning content and editorial work, grant writing support, as well as research and project coordination. Working across health and higher education sectors, both locally and internationally, Kegan is passionate about contributing to services that enhance health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals and communities. Kegan’s commitment to supporting families is at the heart of her professional approach, and she strives to bring values of quality, creativity and collaboration to support the Family Support Network team.
Erica Gully
Playgroup Facilitator
Bachelor of Education and Bachelor Visual Arts, Bachelor Arts (History and Criticism), Graduate Diploma of Education (Visual Arts)
Erica joined Family Support Network in 2021 as the Program Assistant for our Playgroups and supports the organisation with graphic design. Erica is a talented artist, skilled at bringing out creativity in those around her. With a background in education and expansive contributions to the local Lismore arts scene, Erica has a unique capacity to support families and children through a creative lens. In 2023, Erica undertook a month’s residency in Christchurch (NZ) to explore how the creative sector can foster meaning within disaster-impacted communities; this experience has informed her work with Family Support Network’s community in recovery following the 2022 Lismore flood event. With a commitment to continuous improvement and cultural awareness, Erica also completed the We Al-li Culturally Informed Trauma Integrated Approach (CITIHA) to Care and Practice workshop. Erica’s creative, empathetic approach ensures that families are warmly supported across our playgroup services.
Carolyn Carey
Playgroup Facilitator
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Certificate IV Community Services
Caz joined FSN in 2019 and is a creative and passionate playgroup facilitator with our Nimbin supported playgroup. With a holistic, strength- based, and person-centred approach, Caz is committed to supporting and advocating for families and young children. With qualifications in Fine Arts and Community Services, Caz plans engaging programs, and creates safe, enriching and inclusive environments where young children can thrive. With a strong background in community engagement, and experience in NDIS support, Caz builds meaningful connections with families, ensuring they feel included and have access to appropriate support. Caz brings authenticity, respect, and engaging connection through play to support children’s development and wellbeing.
Trudy Osborne (She/They)
Program Assistant
Graduate Certificate in Emergency and Disaster Management, Certificate IV Training and Assessment, Certificate III Business (Records and Information Management), NSW Rural Fire Service - Fire Fighter
Trudy is a talented member of the team, bringing diverse qualities and skills in community engagement, leading teams and learning support. With a background in disability support and classroom teachers’ aide support, Trudy brings a wealth of experience in providing enriching, inclusive environments for Family Support Network’s Playgroups. As a trained PEEP Learning Together Program practitioner, Trudy supports parents to build on their existing strengths to nurture their child’s learning experiences. Trudy is passionate about inclusivity and cultural awareness, ensuring that all families are warmly welcomed and supported across Family Support Network’s services.
Core Programs
We are proudly funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice under the Targeted Earlier Intervention program and the Intensive Family Preservation program.
Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI)
Our organisation was founded in 1989 through what is now known as the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) Program — a framework that has evolved over time but has always centred on emotional, practical, and early support for families.
The TEI Program brings together the strengths of earlier initiatives, including Families First, Families NSW, and Child, Youth and Family Support (CYFS). These programs laid the groundwork for a more unified, flexible approach — and that consolidated vision became TEI.
The program focuses on strengthening and supporting children, young people, families, and communities who are experiencing or at risk of vulnerability. TEI enables flexible, responsive services that enhance protective factors and promote long-term wellbeing.
We deliver services under the two key TEI streams, Community Strengthening, which builds connections, resilience, and social participation and Wellbeing and Safety, which offers practical and emotional support to create safe, healthy family environments.
These services are informed by strong evidence that early support can significantly improve outcomes for children and families. We work in partnership with families to build on their strengths, reduce long-term risks, and create connected, resilient communities.
Each local community has different priorities and needs, so the TEI program is flexible, responsive and locally based. These services are embedded within our programs:
- START TOGETHER – support focusing on early development
- FAMILY SUPPORT – support focusing on family capacity building
- PLAY TOGETHER – supported playgroups
- LEARN TOGETHER – parenting education and workshops
- DISCOVER TOGETHER – school holiday activities
- COMMUNITY – community and social events
Intensive Family Preservation - IFP
Family Support Network has been walking alongside families through the Intensive Family Preservation (IFP) program, since 2011, supporting them during some of their most challenging times. The IFP program prioritises the child’s best interests by keeping children within their family’s care whenever it is safe to do so. This service enhances children’s safety, promotes placement permanency, and fosters overall wellbeing. Inspired by the Homebuilders® model, the IFP program equips families with problem-solving skills to prevent crises and unnecessary out-of-home care placements.
Recent Australian research underscores the importance of minimising child placements in care, highlighting poorer outcomes for children in non-parental care, systemic issues needing early intervention, the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care, and safety concerns within the care system.
The IFP program supports families with children aged 0-17 years at risk and works towards improving child safety and wellbeing, generally providing up to 6 months of intensive, in-home support to improve family functioning, parenting skills, and child development. The primary goal is to keep children safely at home and support family restoration and stability.
The Family Action Plan for Change (FAPFC) guides the intervention process which is developed collaboratively with the family to address child protection concerns. Our commitment to this program aligns to our ethos that children should remain with their families whenever it is safe to do so.
Extended Impact
Ingrained Foundation Grant Enables Accredited PuP Practitioner Training
In 2024, Family Support Network was honoured to receive a grant from the Ingrained Foundation, a philanthropic initiative supporting grassroots organisations across Australia. This funding enabled us to train our staff members as accredited practitioners to deliver the Parents Under Pressure (PuP) program.
The PuP program, developed by Griffith University, is an evidence-based, family-focused intervention designed to support families experiencing complex challenges such as trauma, mental health issues, substance misuse, family conflict, and financial stress. Tailored to each family’s unique needs, the program is typically delivered one-on-one in homes or community settings. It focuses on strengthening parent–child relationships, improving emotional regulation, and fostering healthier family environments.
Providing our team with the PuP Toolkit and structured training, the grant has significantly enhanced our operational capability and the quality of support we offer. Practitioners now work with greater confidence and clarity, guided by a proven framework that improves family functioning and promotes positive child development.
We are grateful to the Ingrained Foundation for their generous support, which has been pivotal in building our capacity to deliver this high-impact program and deepening our commitment to strengthening families and communities across Northern NSW.
Partnership Project - Enhancing Workforce Responses to Sexual Violence
Family Support Network are proud to partner with Women Up North Housing on the Enhancing Workforce Responses to Sexual Violence project—an initiative funded by the NSW Government’s Department of Communities and Justice through the Sexual Violence Project Fund.
Together, we’ve brought $1,254,417 into our local community, helping to strengthen frontline responses to sexual violence across Northern NSW.
This project provides education packages to workers across Northern NSW to support early intervention and improve responses to people at risk, victims and survivors of sexual violence. The training helps build skills, confidence and trauma-informed practices for those working in community services, education, health and justice. Key components of the project include:
- Development and delivery of specialist training programs
- A First Nations-specific version of the training
- Self-paced online training options to ensure accessibility
- Building safer, more informed communities
This work is not just about training—it’s about transforming how communities understand and respond to sexual violence. By equipping our local workforce with tools and knowledge, we’re helping to ensure safer, more supportive environments for everyone.
To find out more or register your interest in the training, please visit: Enhancing Workforce Responses to Sexual Violence – Women Up North Housing.
Enhancing Workforce Responses to Sexual Violence in the media: Talking sexual assault and how to respond
Reaching More Young People Through Holiday Break Funding
In 2024 and early 2025, Family Support Network proudly delivered two Holiday Break Programs with funding from the NSW Government. These grants, part of the Regional Youth Holiday Break Program, allowed us to run inclusive, engaging, and accessible activities during the Winter/Spring 2024 and Summer/Autumn 2024–25 school holidays.
The programs offered developmentally appropriate experiences in safe, welcoming environments. We worked closely with local organisations to connect with families already accessing support services and designed activities that removed common barriers to participation. Transport, meals, supervision, and access to quality venues and activities were all provided at no cost to families.
The feedback was clear: for many families, especially single parents with multiple children, these opportunities are normally out of reach. Participants and parents told us the programs were not only fun, but helped boost confidence, connection, and wellbeing.
While supporting youth who are often overlooked in mainstream services, these programs created meaningful, lasting impact in our community. We’re deeply grateful to the NSW Government for recognising the importance of inclusive youth engagement in regional areas.
