Lisa is a Social Worker with 17 years’ experience working across a variety of settings, including the corporate sector, disability, welfare, local government and education sectors.  She has travelled through Asia and the Middle East working with human rights organisations promoting cross cultural exchange and intercultural dialogue.  In addition, Lisa comes from a migrant background and has been raised in a family where the concept and lived experience of being a minority is very real to her. 

Lisa’s experience, combined with her passion for inclusion, equal opportunity and advocacy will bring a unique perspective to the Diversity Advisor role.  Lisa looks forward to developing partnerships across the region and hearing and sharing ideas, stories and insights that can continue to promote diversity inclusion within the aged care sector.

For further information contact:
Lisa Tribuzio – North Metro Diversity Advisor
lisat@hwpcp.org.au 0417 372 031

Do you know the percentage of people who are trans or gender diverse?
It is hard to know as many people do not come out openly, feel safe to disclose or continue to identify as trans post transition. Based on NZ statistics, it is estimated around 3 to 4% of the population are trans or gender diverse and we do not have equivalent data in Australia.

Where does the word trans and gender diverse come from?
We use the term ‘trans and gender diverse’ as an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression is different from that which was assigned at birth or that which is expected of them by society.  Gender diverse includes those who do not exclusively identify as male or female irrespective of the sex assigned at birth and includes those who identify as non-binary.

What is one myth about trans and gender diverse older people you have heard in your work?
That older trans and gender diverse people will revert to the sex they were assigned at birth but there is no evidence to suggest this.
 

Do you feel safe to share your own life experiences in this interview?
Yes. I am happy to share my experiences as it helps others to understand
 
Thank you. What would you like to share?
I knew I was different from a young age. I learnt to hide and I thought I was weird. It was a lonely place. But I went to university, got a job, got married, had children and continued to hide. After an ongoing struggle to survive, I decided to live as my authentic self. I don’t see myself as having transitioned, so much as having aligned my body to match how I felt on the inside.

What are some of the issues facing trans and gender diverse older people?
Social isolation. Many trans and gender diverse (TGD) people are very lonely. They are also quite hidden due to fear of coming out and facing further and ongoing discrimination. Many older TGD Victorians may not have access to social media and are unaware of services and support organisations available to them.

TGD people also face mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and suicidality. When compared to the general population, LGBTI people are more likely to attempt suicide with trans and gender diverse people being the most vulnerable. Family conflict and family breakdown are also very common with a high proportion of LGBTI older people without family due to being cut off from partners, parents, extended family and/or their children.

There is also a history of discrimination and physical and psychological abuse. Around 80% of trans and gender diverse people have faced physical and verbal abuse in public spaces and institutions.
 
What is your vision for inclusive spaces for older trans and gender older persons?
We need access to trained and trans sensitive general and mental health support services. TGV are contributing to a TGD online learning module targeted at GPs, Counsellors and Psychologists, a project to increase the number of TGD aware health professionals across the State.

We need social groups that build connections and acceptance. It is important for people to be themselves and be supported to be themselves. Switchboard, an organisation supporting LGBTI communities runs a project called Out and About which links LGBTI volunteers to LGBTI older Victorians who are isolated. So far at least 6 trans older Victorians have been identified through this program.

We also need to create environments which promote inclusion for LGBTI communities such as celebrating global LGBTI awareness days (such as IDAHOBIT Day - 17 May, Transgender Day of Visibility - 31 March) and rainbow symbols (flags, cakes, clothes) in the physical working environment. LGBTI inclusive practices need to be integrated across the whole service. I think services need to ask themselves “Are LGBTI people a minority or a priority?”

Also at TGV we love questions, ask us questions!

What should we expect from the LGBTI Aged Care inclusive training?
Participants will learn about the diversity which is evident within LGBTI communities. We will also talk about lived experiences and case studies to help people learn about the impact life’s experiences may have on LGBTI people accessing services. We will also talk about intersectionality, that is, the connection between special needs groups such as people with a disability, CALD, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTI communities, those living in regional areas and those at risk of homelessness or financial disadvantage. We will talk about the decades of discrimination that have faced and still face LGBTI communities. 

We aim to improve your awareness of the range of issues facing older LGBTI people, learn about  relevant policy and legal issues and understand aspects of good practice and culturally appropriate inclusive care for older LGBTI clients/residents.
 
So far Transgender Victoria have delivered more than 300 training sessions in the last 3 years and more are booked for 2018.

For more information visit: http://www.transgendervictoria.com or
contact Brenda Appleton by email at brenda@transgendervictoria.com.

For more information about Switchboard’s Out and About Program visit: http://www.switchboard.org.au/out-about/

The North Metro Sector Development team and Transgender Victoria are running LGBTI Inclusive Aged Care training on 12^th February 2018 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. For more information visit the event page or speak to Lisa Tribuzio, Diversity Advisor, North Metro Sector Development team on 0417 372 031 or lisat@hwpcp.org.au

And much more!  Keep an eye on our Events page or follow us on LinkedIn for further details. 
 
Save the Date – Next Alliance Forum 20 Feb 2018
The next Alliance Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, 20 February 2018 with a key focus on Marketing and Communication in a Consumer Directed World.  Representatives from both the Commonwealth Department of Health and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services will also be on hand to provide updates regarding the aged care reforms, as well as a showcase of key note speakers and resources to support members.  More details to follow soon. 
 
If your organisation is not yet a member and would like to stay ahead of the game and take advantage of these free and exclusive forum opportunities – JOIN NOW or visit our website for more information.   
 
My Aged Care Provider Portal Training Resources Now Available
Did you miss out on the recent provider portal training?  Resources available HERE.
 
A My Aged Care Operational Update webinar is also available focusing on key areas of interest to the sector, including the end to end home care package journey from a provider perspective:

 
Have you booked into the 2018 Understanding Quality Review Workshops yet? Sessions are filling fast with more workshops announced.  More details available via the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency website.
 
New Alliance Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Forming –
Following the results of a recent survey, we are pleased to be in the process of establishing a number of SIGs in response to the needs and gaps identified by our members:

 
Currently the Governance Group is developing guidelines in regard to Alliance supported groups and networks with expectation that all SIGs will support the mission and values of The Alliance and work in a spirit of collaboration and shared good practice. 
 
If you are interested in joining any of the above proposed SIGs, contact Christina Micallef, Regional Development Coordinator at christinm@hwpcp.org.au to register your interest or for further information.

Got a Job Vacancy, Event, or News you would like to share? We offer free advertising on our website for members. Ring 0477 398 294 for details.

On 6^th December the Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP launched Australia's Aged Care Diversity Framework.  The framework represents an important step towards a more inclusive future for aged care services in Australia and is designed to complement the Single Quality Framework due to be released in July 2018.

The Diversity Framework seeks to embed diversity in the design and delivery of aged care and support actions to address perceived or actual barriers to consumers accessing equitable and quality aged care, while enabling consumers and carers to be partners in this process.

To enable consumers and carers to participate in the aged care design process, FECCA has been conducting consultations with wide groups of stakeholders from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. FECCA are kindly inviting you to have your say via the surveys below:

For consumers
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DRWNLBC
For providers
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DRN38SY

The surveys will remain open until 28^th February 2018.

For further information contact:
Cristina Giusti - Senior Policy & Project Officer
Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA)
cristina@fecca.org.au  0481 304 333 or (02) 6282 5755 
Website: www.fecca.org.au

The North Metro Sector Development team is working with Transgender Victoria to give small providers an opportunity to access free LGBTI-inclusive aged care training.  Larger organisations have the opportunity to host on-site training for up to 25 of their staff, however small providers have not necessarily been able to access this training. 

Facilitated by Transgender Victoria, the half day training will offer an opportunity to improve the quality of community care for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Victorians.  It will include a mix of interactive activities, research presentations and small group work in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

The training aims to increase your:

• Knowledge of how to incorporate LGBTI inclusive practices within your person-centred models of care
• Awareness of unique needs and concerns facing older LGBTI people
• Understanding around relevant policy and legal issues
• Confidence in incorporating LGBTI inclusive practices into diversity planning.

Date:             12^th February 2018
Time:             9.15am – 12.30pm
                     (Morning tea provided)
Venue:           New York Room
                     Mantra Bell City
                     215 Bell Street, Preston  
                     (Parking onsite)
             
This opportunity is limited to 25 places: to ensure you place please register on the event page by 20th January 2018.

For more information contact:
Lisa Tribuzio – North Metro Diversity Advisor
lisat@hwpcp.org.au 0417 372 031
 

For some services, January may be a time when social support program staff are planning and preparing for the busy year ahead.  The Dementia friendly social support – checklist was developed (in consultation with 24 Commonwealth Home Support Program and Home and Community Care – Program for Younger People services) to assist social support programs to create dementia friendly environments and consequently to offer more effective programs for people living with dementia. 

The Dementia friendly social support - checklist resource brings together research, guidelines and good practice ideas presented in four categories: Promotion, Starting, Setting and Program.  Central to the resource are checklists which assist you to step through your social support environment and “check” where your program supports people living with dementia, as well as identifying areas where you can make changes that will have a positive outcome for your clients. 

Many of the ideas can be achieved at low or no cost and can be implemented relatively easily, such as using contrasting colours on seats and benches or when setting the table for meals, so that items stand out and reduce confusion.  Other ideas may result in changes that will require planning and further resources, such as décor and lighting.  The resource will help you prioritise and plan.

If you haven’t already read the Dementia friendly social support – checklist, or if you have and would like to review the progress you have made within your social support group you can access the resource here.