|
|
|
|
Welcome to the June 2018 edition of keeping you connected the e-Bulletin of the North Metro Sector Development team.
The North Metro Sector Development team continue to focus on ways of providing up-to-date information to organisations who are funded to provide services to older people, and people with a disability, through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, National Disability Insurance Scheme and Home and Community Care – Program for Younger People programs. The North Metro Community Care Alliance website is the primary source of information for service providers with regularly updated information on Alliance membership, sector news, resources and relevant events.
The keeping you connected e-Bulletin has broad circulation across the North Metro region and aims to provide additional information to organisations with a particular focus on diversity planning and practice and wellness and reablement implementation. We encourage all program staff to subscribe to this e-Bulletin and to share the information and resources within organisational teams.
To expand our communication and information dissemination platforms, this edition of keeping you connected highlights the teams early steps into social media. In particular we are sharing with you, via YouTube, a short video from the North and West Metro Social Support Forum. A YouTube video featuring the North Metro Community Care Forum and Expo will be available soon. As we formalise our social media policy and strategy, we will share it with you and we would encourage organisations to become involved in increasing the communication and connectivity between providers in the North Metro through social media. If you have any ideas, thoughts or contributions on the use of social media in community care sector in the North we would be pleased to hear from you.
Regards, Lisa, CiCi, Cathy, Brad and Carolyn
|
|
Liza Tribuzio Interviews Cathy Austin, Metropolitan Aboriginal Development Officer About National Sorry Day And National Reconciliation Week
|
|
Hi Cathy, can you introduce yourself and your role?
Hello all, my name is Cathy Austin. I am a proud Aboriginal Gunditjmara woman, my traditional lands are in south west Victoria. Whilst living and working in Melbourne all my life I hold a very honoured and privileged spiritual connection to my land and culture. My role is Aboriginal Development Officer for the Melbourne metropolitan region. I am part of the North Metro, as well as the South, West and Eastern Metro Sector Development teams.
What is National Sorry Day?
National Sorry Day events are held every year on 26th May. Sorry Day to me is a day for healing and a day for communities across the country to get together and remember the loss and trauma of the Stolen Generation. Every Aboriginal family has been affected by past Government policies of removing Aboriginal children. Some families will never meet again, and some families are still searching for their loved ones. To reflect on this important day, some of our community gather at what is called a Stolen Generation marker. This is a safe space specifically designed for the community to come and sit down and perhaps have a smoking ceremony and remember their families.
|
|
|
|
Cathy Austin (left), Lisa Tribuzio (right)
|
|
What is National Reconciliation Week?
National Reconciliation Week is an important week on the calendar. The 2018 theme is ‘Don’t Keep History a Mystery’. This theme makes me think about all of our past and present Aboriginal leaders and the significant campaigns that have supported the rights of Aboriginal people.
Reconciliation Week to me is about encouraging all Australians to learn about our history and work together towards a better future for all. Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is one way your organisation can improve outcomes for Aboriginal people. For more information on developing a RAP or for ideas on how you can be involved in and celebrate Reconciliation Week get onto the Reconciliation Australia website.
|
|
“All Australians coming together and moving on to a brighter future”
Cathy Austin
|
|
|
Cathy, you have a network, can you speak more about this network, and how people can get involved?
The Metropolitan Aboriginal Aged Care and Disability Network, established in 1994, is a network for Aboriginal workers in the sector to get together for networking, learning from each other, sharing information and training opportunities. We encourage non-Aboriginal agencies to attend to improve working relationships with each other. If you would like to attend our meetings, get in touch with me and I can tell you more about it. We also like to have a guest speaker or two at each meeting. Details of the Metropolitan Aboriginal Aged Care and Disability Network are available here.
Thanks Cathy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cathy Austin - Aboriginal Development Officer
cathya@aal.org.au 9480 7739
|
|
North and West Metro Social Support Forum Summary
Social Support Programs play a key role in providing opportunities for people to develop and maintain social interaction and their independence. On 23rd April 2018 the North and West Social Support Forum was held at Mantra Bell City in Preston. The forum was organised by the North Metro and the West Metro Wellness and Reablement Consultants in collaboration with social support provider representatives.
The forum provided the opportunity for over ninety-five program staff from a wide range of organisations to come together and share their ideas and initiatives and to discuss and explore person centred approaches in social support. The opportunity to network and to take away some practical ideas for their own social support programs was also an important component of the day.
Val O’Brien from Talking Solutions was the Master of Ceremonies for the Forum. In addition, Val lead a session at the end of day that invited everyone to their feet to participate in some short, practical exercises that can be useful in supporting staff as we work in a changing environment.
Kate Pascale from Pascale & Associates facilitated sessions on person centred care and planning in social support programs, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the individual as the expert in their own life and staff being a ‘partner’ in the process.
Four social support providers shared their program initiatives illustrating how they are implementing a wellness approach in their programs:
Whitehorse Home and Community Care Services talked about their experiences of putting consumer engagement into the spotlight in their social support program and how they are passing the planning of program activities from staff to the group participants.
The Finnish Friendly Visiting Service told the story of how they stepped into the world of social media by skyping one of their community members into a group activity from her hospital room. This highlighted the potential for information technology in supporting social connection, as well as set the wheels in motion for the service to explore connectedness through social media and technology in their social support and volunteer programs.
In their presentation “Who is Calling the Shots” Merri Health challenged the group to question the things that we do over and over and to think about using our creativity differently in social support programs. Merri Health explained how they have changed their group structures to provide greater choice and opportunity to their group participants by offering a range of activities across a number of social support groups. Participants can now choose activities, rather than stay within a set program. This has resulted in program options that more effectively reflect their client’s goal, interests, and aspirations.
Your Community Health talked about their Keeping Connected program which connects or reconnects people with social networks and activities of interest in their local area. This initiative includes working more intensively with the person, on an individual level, while linking them back into community activities and facilities.
While the forum only had time to hear about the work of four organisations there was keen interest to hear from more organisations about their initiatives that are making a difference.
A number of suggestions were put forward for future forums. This included: exploration of different models for social support provision; ideas for engaging clients in activity planning; continuing a focus on people living with dementia; and partnership and collaboration – what is required and what can be achieved.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development of the day and all those who attended and made the day such a success. To celebrate the forum a short video has been developed to capture the essence of the day.
For further information or enquiries, or to share more examples of good practice in social support contact:
Carolyn Bolton - North Metro Wellness and Reablement Consultant
carolynb@hwpcp.org.au 0499 784 465
|
|
Understanding Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants, Stolen Generations And People Affected By Past And Forced Adoption Practices Forum
This event was hosted on 8th May 2018 by Lisa Tribuzio, Diversity Advisor. It aimed to increase knowledge and awareness of two newly added special needs groups (Aged Care Act 1997) as part of Diversity planning for 2018-19:
- People who are care leavers (which includes Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and Stolen Generations)
- Parents separated from children by forced adoption or removal
There were 56 participants in attendance representing 16 agencies from the North Metro region. Participants were also from peak bodies (Council of the Ageing, Dementia Australia and Vision Australia) and the Department of Health.
Presenters:
- Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners, Perry Wandin, Wurundjeri Land and Tribe council
- Alliance for Forgotten Australians
- Open Place
- Child Migrant Trust
- Connecting Home
- VANISH (Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self-Help)
Department of Health representative Laura Leavy introduced the resource Caring for Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and Stolen Generations - An information package for aged care services with copies provided to participants. A copy of this resource can be found at: https://agedcare.health.gov.au/support-services/people-from-diverse-backgrounds/care-leavers-resources.
A localised resource, developed by Diversity Advisors from Southern Metro and Gippsland regions, providing details and referral pathways for support services, links to resources and information regarding each of the groups represented can be found at www.nmccalliance.org.
May we continue the conversations, open our hearts and minds and journey toward healthy and empowering spaces.
For a copy of the evaluation report please contact:
Lisa Tribuzio - Diversity Advisor
lisat@hwpcp.org.au 0417 372 031
|
|
Commonwealth Home Support Programme – Program Manual 2018
The updated, 2018 version of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme Program Manual is now available.
This is the third version of the Manual since its inception in July 2015 and supersedes all previous versions.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program builds on the strengths of the home support programs which came before it and consolidates the following programs to create a streamlined source of support for frail older people living in the community and their carers:
- The Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) Program
- Planned respite services under the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP)
- The Day Therapy Centres (DTC) Program
- The Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) Program
- The Victorian HACC Program (from 01 July 2016).
The CHSP delivers the entry-level tier of support in an increasingly responsive, integrated and client-centred aged care service system. It is designed to provide a relatively small amount of care and support to a large number of frail older people to help them to remain living at home and in their communities.
CHSP services can be delivered on a short-term, episodic or ongoing basis and have a strong focus on activities that support independence and social connectedness and provide more choice to consumers.
The CHSP is supported by My Aged Care through:
- A central client record to allow client information to be appropriately shared with assessors and service providers
- A consistent, streamlined assessment process
- Better access to relevant and accurate information (for clients, carers and family members, service providers and assessors)
- Appropriate referrals for assessments and services.
These supports aim to improve client outcomes by providing more consistent and integrated care.
Link
|
|
North Metro Community Care Alliance - Update
|
|
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2018 North Metro Community Care Forum and Expo on 28 May, 2018
The North Metro Community Care Alliance facilitated a Forum and Expo, held at Mantra Bell City on 28 th May, 2018. The Expo provided an opportunity for Regional Assessment Service (RAS) officers, service providers and guests to network, share learnings and to exchange information. There was a fantastic turn out on the day with forty regional aged care service providers showcasing their programs and services.
In addition to the Expo, the Forum component of the day aimed to ensure that North Metro Community Care Alliance members continue to be well-informed and confident within the new aged care environment. The Forum sessions included a presentation from Bernadette McClelland, Three Red Folders whose key message included continuing to move forward through change, in particular by working together. Sharon Granek from COTA Victoria highlighted the importance of engaging effectively with consumers in an evolving aged care market and supporting the principles of consumer directed care.
Both the Department of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services provided program updates and the afternoon session was rounded off with a panel discussion that included both Departments, Darebin City Council, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the National Disability Service. This session focused on the Commonwealth Home Support Program, Home Care Packages, National Disability Insurance Scheme and Home and Community Care – Program for Younger People interface.
Throughout the day over 270 people attended Forum sessions and the Expo. Feedback on the day and follow-up evaluation indicated that the day was extremely useful and service providers and RAS officers valued the opportunity to network and learn more about services in the North Metro and surrounding regions. In particular, there was overwhelming support for the planning of a future Expo, open to the public, to be held in early 2019.
The North Metro Community Care Alliance Governance Group and the members of the North Metro Sector Development team would like to express their thanks to everyone who assisted in the planning and participated on the day to ensure that the event was such a success. If you missed the event or would like to revisit the highlights of the day there will be a short video available soon. In the meantime, you can visit the Alliance webpage.
For further information or enquiries contact:
Christina Micaleff - Regional Development Coordinator
christinam@hwpcp.org.au 0477 398 294 |
|
Planning has begun for the Alliance's August Forum - if you would like to be involved, have a topic you would like to see included or would like to showcase your organisation's innovative good practice, please contact christinam@hwpcp.org.au
|
|
|
Did you miss the CHSP Funding Extension Webinar?
The webinar includes information on the CHSP Funding Extension from 2018-2020, new funding agreements, conditions and clarification of CHSP policy.
|
|
|
For further information, the latest Alliance Member newsletter can be viewed here
|
|
|
Hints And Tips For Working With Interpreters – Revisiting A Useful Resource
|
|
The Hints and tips for working with interpreters is an online video from Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. It provides information on some effective ways to bridge the communication gap between English speakers and non-English speakers using interpreters, including how to converse through an interpreter and why it is important to adopt some specific behaviours and styles of communication.
Link (website)
|
|
|
Training Opportunity – Streamlined Service Specific Assessment And Planning For CHSP Service Providers
The North Metro Sector Development team invite you to participate in a Streamlined Service Specific Assessment Strengthening Person Centred Practice workshop facilitated by Kate Pascale.
This workshop has been developed specifically for Allied Health professionals who are working with people who have been referred to Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funded services. This interactive workshop will support staff to build on their assessment and planning skills and consider ways to streamline their approach without compromising quality. The session will focus on ways to build on the information that has already been collected to guide assessment and planning and to:
- Reduce duplication and improve efficiency for the person receiving services, their carers and staff
- Focus on what’s important to the person, their priorities and how you can best support them
- Introducing the concept of goal setting and care planning to clients and carers
- Engage clients and carers to identify relevant and meaningful goals
- Create care plans that are meaningful and useful for staff and the person receiving services.
This workshop will be held on Wednesday 25 th July from 1.00pm – 4.30pm in Bundoora. Bookings for this workshop are limited to 25 people with a limit of 4 people per organisation. Additional sessions will be held in August and September.
To register (Eventbrite)
|
|
Some Important May And June Dates To Remember
|
|
| On or around 17th May until 16th June |
Holy Month of Ramadan |
| 26th May |
National Sorry Day |
| 27th May |
Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum |
| 23rd May to 3rd June |
National Reconciliation Week |
| 3rd June |
Mabo Day |
| 14th June to 17th June 2018 |
Eid al-Fitr |
| 17th June to 23rd June |
Refugee Week |
|
|
|
|
More Wellness and Reablement resources can be found on our website at www.hwpcp.org.au/home-page/resources-ihp/asm-diversity/.
|
|
We hope that you find the information in this e-Bulletin interesting and of use to you in your work. Please feel free to forward the e-Bulletin to anyone who may be interested and if you have not already, you can subscribe by visiting the HWPCP website and completing the subscription request.
|
|
North Metro Sector Development Team Contacts
Carolyn Bolton
North Metro Wellness & Reablement Consultant
North Metro Sector Development Team Coordinator
0499 784 465
carolynb@hwpcp.org.au
Christina (CiCi) Micallef
North Metro Regional Development Coordinator
0477 398 294
christinam@hwpcp.org.au
Lisa Tribuzio
North Metro Diversity Advisor
0417 372 031
lisat@hwpcp.org.au
Cathy Austin
Aboriginal Development Officer
9480 7739
cathya@aal.org.au
Bradley Hall
Administration Officer
0407 175 985
admin@hwpcp.org.au
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
