About Family Support Network
Family Support Network Inc. (FSN) is a well-established community-based organisation in Lismore offering a range of programs and services for children, young people and families.
Established in 1989 as Lismore Family Support and later evolving to Family Support Network Inc., FSN has become a valued go to resource for families and has built and maintained strong collaborative working relationships with locally based child and family government and non- government service sectors.
Starting in central Lismore, the organisation has been housed in Uralba Street, Laurel Avenue and in our previous premises on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, with outreach and playgroup centres based in Nimbin and South Lismore. Following damage to our Wyrallah Road premises and the South Lismore centre in the 2022 floods, we are temporarily located in Magellan Street in the Lismore CBD.
Our staff are highly skilled and qualified professionals who are focused on helping the people we work with to reach their goals and create stronger family environments.
We are funded by NSW Department of Communities & Justice to provide Targeted Early Intervention programs to our local community.
Our programs and services in the Lismore LGA;
- Family support
- Parenting Programs
- Supported Playgroups & Babies Groups
- School Holiday Programs
- Intensive Family Preservation
GET TO KNOW
The Team
Kaali Ortmann
Chief Executive Officer
BSc Business & Management
Dip. Management & Leadership
Dip. Human Resources Management
Kaali joined FSN in July 2022 and is delighted to lead such a wonderful team and organisation in supporting Lismore and the greater community.
Helen
Case Work Manager
BA Social Welfare
AdvDip Community Sector Management
Helen joined FSN in the year 2000 and is a well-regarded member of the social services community in Lismore and considered an expert in her field.
Kelly
Intensive Family Worker
B. Social Welfare
Kelly began with FSN in 2018 as the Nimbin Playgroup Facilitator, in 2019 Kelly joined our Intensive Family Preservation Service and Family Support teams and is a Parenting Group Facilitator. Kelly supports her participants by coaching and empowering them to bring about positive changes in their lives.
Courtney
Family Worker
B. Social Science
Courtney joined FSN in 2017 and is currently a member of the Family Work Team and a Parenting Group Facilitator. Courtney loves problem solving and is able to work through life’s challenges with her participants, she has a toolbox of methods that she draws upon and her clients enjoy learning new skills.
Julia
Program Officer / Administrator
BA Global Studies and International Relations
M.Ed. Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies
Julia joined FSN in 2022 as part of the Playgroup and Start Together Teams. Julia majored in Decolonial Pedagogy and Practice in Education in her master’s and has experience working with children 0-5 years old. Julia is passionate about supporting families and their children in their development and her professional experience from Montessori Schools brings a new perspective to our programs.
Caz
Playgroup Facilitator
BA Fine Arts
Cert IV Community Services
Caz joined FSN in 2019 and is now our Nimbin Playgroup Facilitator, Caz is a creative gem, always overflowing with ideas and bringing them to fruition, no day at Nimbin Playgroup is ever the same and always so much fun.
Natalie
Administration Officer
Cert III Early Childhood Education and Care
Natalie joined FSN in 2022 to support our administration team and is also part of the Lismore Playgroup Team. Natalie’s bubbly personality and helpful nature ensure that every visitor to FSN is warmly welcomed and informed.
Erica
Program Assistant
BA Art History and Criticism
BA Visual Arts and Arts Education
Grad. Dip Ed
Erica joined FSN in 2021 as the Program Assistant for our Playgroups and supports FSN with graphic design. Erica is a wonderfully talented artist and brings out creativity in those around her, we are delighted to have her as a team member.