The initiative aims to transform mental health support for young people by creating community-wide connected care.
GRODC shifts the focus away from crisis-driven mental health responses towards long-term support for young people, families and communities.
Rather than creating another service, GRODC focuses on strengthening how existing organisations work together across health, education, youth and community sectors.
At the heart of the initiative is the open dialogue approach, which prioritises listening, relationships and shared decision-making.
Through facilitated network meetings, young people are supported to direct their own care alongside the people who matter most to them.
GRODC is being delivered through a community partnership between Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, Open Dialogue Centre, Berry Street Yooralla Shepparton Youth Foyer and GV Health.
Lighthouse executive officer Amy Robinson said the initiative was already changing how organisations worked together across the region.
“We are deeply grateful to the trustees of the William Buckland Foundation for their bold commitment to advancing critical systems change that will strengthen mental health outcomes for young people in our region,” Ms Robinson said.
“Grounding our work in the open dialogue approach, and having the Open Dialogue Centre alongside us, has been transformative.
“We are building something that belongs to this community and that will endure.”
William Buckland Foundation granting specialist Alex White said the investment reflected a commitment to sustainable community change.
“The William Buckland Foundation is proud to back a partnership that is built to last,” Mr White said.
“What makes GRODC compelling is not just what it does, but how it does it — services working together in a way that becomes their own, sustained by the community long after the initial investment.”
Training is already under way across the region, with 35 professionals from health, education, youth and community services participating in a year-long foundation course through the Open Dialogue Centre.
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