Jo Smith

Outreach Coordinator
Wellways Australia

Jo has been in the community sector for over 15 years working across the AOD, Blood Bourne Virus and Mental Health sectors. Currently Jo is Coordinator of Wellway’s Outreach Programs, Detention Exit Community Mental Health Outreach Program (DECO), Women’s Transitional Accommodation Service and Carers Support Program.

Jo has been a regular speaker, member and representative of various boards, committees, working groups and peak bodies including:

 Mental Health, Justice Health, Alcohol and Drug Service, Workforce Strategy, Planning, Development and Implementation Group
 Member ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases (SHAHRD)
 Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Workers Group
 Community Integration Governance Group for the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) ; Government Throughcare Advisory Group
 Women’s Advisory Group; AMC
 Women’s in Prison Group; AMC
 ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy Evaluation Group
 President of the ACT Hepatitis C Resource Centre Board of Management
 ACT Crime Prevention and Community Safety Youth Symposium-Alcohol and Community Safety for Young People in the ACT
 ACT Territory Reference Group; ACT Diversion programs
 Winner of the 2017 ACT Mental Health Reciprocity Award
 successfully tendered for the pilot ‘throughcare’ program delivered to detainees exiting the AMC

Jo has worked with detainees and their families for many years providing support, counselling, education and advocacy services.

Jo has lived experience as a carer of a child with a mental illness, has felt the effects of generational trauma, the justice system and addiction.