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<= span lang=3Den-AU style=3D'font-size:11.8999pt;font-family:Arial;color:black; language:en-AU'>ACSO was established in Victoria in 1983 by Stan McCormac= k as The Epistle Centre. Stan is an ex-prisoner who, whilst in prison, atte= nded Salvation Army bible study classes. Part of his role in the classes wa= s to produce a magazine called "The Epistle" for all prisoners in= Victoria who attended the bible study classes.

<= span lang=3Den-AU style=3D'font-size:11.8999pt;font-family:Arial;color:black; language:en-AU'>Following his release Stan continued to edit the magazine= , but also found that several other ex-prisoners were contacting him and gr= adually Stan developed a support network with assistance from several volun= teers. From the support network an agency was formed and given the name &qu= ot;Epistle" from the magazine, as it was well recognised amongst priso= ners in Victoria.

<= span lang=3Den-AU style=3D'font-size:11.8999pt;font-family:Arial;color:black; language:en-AU'>In June of 1984 the Epistle Centre was incorporated and a= Council formed to oversee the operation of the agency. The Epistle Centre = operated as a drop-in centre staffed largely by volunteers until 1987 when = it received its first substantial government funding in the form of SAAP fu= nding to set up a halfway house and allowed the agency to employ support st= aff. McCormack House was established as a 13 bed supported accommodation ho= use for people just released from prison.

<= span lang=3Den-AU style=3D'font-size:11.8999pt;font-family:Arial;color:black; language:en-AU'>As further funding was received, program developments inc= luded the Disability and Adolescent Program (1989), Forensic Mental Health = Program (1992), Vitality Personnel (1996), and the COATS alcohol and drug a= ssessment program (1997).

<= span lang=3Den-AU style=3D'font-size:11.8999pt;font-family:Arial;color:black; language:en-AU'>The agency changed its name to The Victorian Offender Sup= port Agency Inc. (VOSA) in late 1996. While the agency has continued to pro= vide the McCormack House program, further expansion has come primarily thro= ugh funding for special needs groups such as those with disabilities, menta= l health issues or those who have alcohol and drug issues.

<= span lang=3Den-AU style=3D'font-size:11.8999pt;font-family:Arial;color:black; language:en-AU'>In April 2000 the agency changed its name to the Australi= an Community Support Organisation (ACSO). The change of name recognised tha= t the agency’s work had extended beyond only providing support to ex-= prisoners. Further program developments include Bridging the Gap (2001), Pe= rsonal Support Program (2002) and THM/Correctional Housing Pathways Initiat= ive (2002). ACSO achieved QICSA quality accreditation in 2001, and again in= 2004.

In 2002 ACSO was successful in tendering for = the Correctional Services Employment Pilot Program (CSEPP), and received a = grant for the Sex Offender Transitional Outreach Program in 2004

Our Histo= ry