17 May 2012

Expanding St John of God Health Care’s partnership with Hills Community Support Group (HCSG), St John of God Horizon House Young mother and baby is an Australian first which will provide
accommodation and care for pregnant women aged 16 to 22 from across the Perth metropolitan area through the perinatal period with a full-time senior social worker, live in
carers and the opportunity to take part in programs such as parent education.

Mike Board, Group Manager for Youth at St John of God Health Care, said: “This new service builds on the Horizon House model of providing care and support in a secure
environment, but it is the first to specialise in support for young women during their journey into motherhood.

“We have identified a strong need within the Perth community for a service of this nature with many pregnant young women struggling to find safe, stable accommodation.
We are very grateful to Hills Community Support Group and the other agencies that have come together to help make this vital service a reality.”

The newest addition to St John of God Social Outreach and Advocacy Services, Horizon House Young mother and baby  marks a significant extension to the partnership with HCSG, which
already funds a case worker for the Midland-based Kira House project, providing accommodation and support for young women who have been subject to domestic
violence.

Justine Colyer, CEO of Hills Community Support Group, said: “Horizon House Young mother and baby will provide essential care to young women and give them the help they need to give
their babies the best possible start in life. We are delighted to work with St John of God Health Care to ensure that this service meets the needs of young women when they
need support most.

Managed through St John of God Subiaco Hospital, the service consists of two adjacent homes. Residents will first enter Bendat House, providing support to young women
during pregnancy, after which they will move into Miriam House with their new baby while they are assisted to find stable, independent living arrangements.

Additional support for the service has come from the Department of Child  Protection, Pregnancy Assistance, Lotterywest and a significant financial contribution
from the Bendat Family.

St John of God Horizon House now operates ten homes for homeless young people across Western Australia and Victoria and the partnership with HCSG forms an important
broadening of expertise in supporting vulnerable, at-risk young people.

The new service will have important links to clinical support including referral pathways to other St John of God Social Outreach and Advocacy Services such as the Raphael
Centre (specialising in perinatal and infant mental health) and DAWN (Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Network), providing additional support to young women.