We’re thrilled to announce the appointment of new member of our team: Dr Laura Anderson has taken on the new role of Specialist Disability Practitioner and Educator, working on our ReConnect program.

Laura’s is a new role designed to enhance our practice working with ReConnect program participants with disabilities. We know around 30 per cent of people in prison in Australia have long-term health conditions or disabilities that limit their daily activities, education or employment.

This new position will help our ReConnect case workers to provide better, more specialised support to their clients.

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Key points:

• Dr Laura Anderson has commenced as VACRO's new Specialist Disability Practitioner and Educator
• This position was newly created in 2020 to strengthen VACRO’s work with participants with disabilities
• Training, mentoring and referrals help us provide a better service and deliver better outcomes for participants with disabilities 

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VACRO CEO Marius Smith said Laura's appointment came after a significant rise in the number of ReConnect participants with a disability over the past year.

"We're committed to innovation and best practice and have responded to this increase by sourcing an extremely talented and experienced expert who will help us respond to the individual needs of all of our participants," he said.

"We’re thrilled to welcome Laura and her expertise to our team to make this happen."

Laura is a neuropsychologist with extensive experience working with forensic clients with an acquired brain injury or intellectual disability. She has worked in prisons, hospitals and in private practice.

ReConnect is a voluntary program that supports people to successfully settle back into their communities after being released from prison. It provides the practical support needed for people to put their plans for themselves in action. ReConnect is funded by the Department of Justice and Community Safety through Corrections Victoria.

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More information

• VACRO media enquiries – Sophie Raynor, 0476 666 070 or [email protected]
• More information about ReConnect