Jingi Wala
Hello and welcome to Ngunya Jarjum's June Newsletter. A quick reminder to all carers and families, that you can contact our team at any time, Monday to Friday. We are committed to promoting wellbeing, culture and community in our Jarjum’s lives.
This week is Reconciliation Week (27th May - 3rd June) and this year's theme “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. Find out more about National Reconciliation Week.
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In this issue...
- NJ News: Reconciliation Week 2022 - Be Brave, Make Change A message from the CEO - Wendy Knight, A Big Thankyou for Donations, NAIDOC 2022 – Get up, Stand Up, Show Up – ‘Family is Culture – Says it all…’, NJ Staff Awards, Are you preparing a presentation or a project with your computer?
- From the desk of the Out of Home Care Team: NSW Child Safe Standards for Permanent Care - Standard 2: Providing a positive care environment
- HR update: HR Manager Update, Positions Vacant
- An Important message for our Carers: Lost Licences, Identification, and Personal Documents, When to contact us
- Programs: Gumaguy, Balaa, Bugil Wernbe
- Upcoming Training: AbSec Learning and Development Centre
- Community News and Events: Flood Recovery Services, Aboriginal Home Buyer Grants, National Child Protection Week Theme
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Reconciliation week 2022 – Be Brave, Make Change
A message from the CEO – Wendy Knight
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Be Brave. Make Change. is a challenge to us all to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for all. (ref: National Reconciliation Week - Reconciliation Australia )
The reconciliation week theme this year directly relates with the theme for NAIDOC week upcoming, Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up.
As we continue to battle the extending numbers of Jarjums getting taken away from their families in NSW – at Ngunya Jarjum our day to day focus is sharpened to keeping our families safe, our Jarjums on country and living with family or kin. The Family is Culture report (Independent Review | Family is Culture (nsw.gov.au) ) keeps the fire alive in our bellies, as the evidence of NSW Govt failures toward our Jarjums, families and communities is fully exposed. In the interests of reconciliation we suggest that you take the time, read the report and recommendations and weigh up the facts.
I am proud to share that our teams are brave every day and we continually fight for change. This reconciliation week, we pledge to our communities our renewed energy to maintaining the momentum of the Family is Culture report recommendations, understanding that it isn’t just this reconciliation week, our teams have continually battled for reconciliation since the establishment of our Agency (over 25 years) through advocacy, understanding and acceptance.
Take a peek at what’s going on this year for reconciliation week: Upcoming Events – National Reconciliation Week 2022
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A Big Thankyou For Donations
Ngunya Jarjum would like to extend a massive thank you on behalf of our carers and staff who received donations of furniture and white goods. These families, who were affected by the recent floods, welcomed the items with open arms being described as ‘a wonder in establishment in setting up their homes’. The goods were donated by Muloobinba Family Support Service in Newcastle and Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corp in Kempsey. The furniture was sourced by these organisations and delivered directly to our carer households in need over the period of a few days in May.
We would also like to thank our community for the support we have received in response to the impact of the floods. Whether it be through donating money, furniture, supplies or your time, it truly makes a difference and helps us to keep supporting our families, Carers, Jarjums and community. We would like to name and acknowledge the cash donations we have received this year:
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Stone & Wood Brewing Co.
Hall & Wilcox
Julie Gava
Eliska Sharman
Matthew Lloyd-Cape
Madeline Feledy
Christine Kuhl
Kelli Barham
Trent Wallace
Amber Gooley
Catherine Waters
Thankyou for your generosity!
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Maurya Rieder
Bridget Barker
Francesca Cathie
Lynette Matthews
Henry Seccombe
Belinda Kendall
Philip Palmer
Carolyn Kent-Muldrew
Kathleen Clapham
Jim Morris
Bradley Webb
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NAIDOC 2022 – Get up, Stand Up, Show Up – ‘Family is Culture – Says it all…’
National Indigenous Australian Agency (NIAA) have confirmed the successful submission for funding for Ngunya Jarjums NAIDOC week project ‘Family is Culture – Says it all…’
The theme was chosen to bring community attention to the Family is Culture report, an independent review of out of home care (OOHC) for Aboriginal children and young people. The review looked at systems, policies and practice as well as who was involved in making decisions for Aboriginal children while in care and was released in November 2019 with 125 systemic recommendations for NSW Government to action. The report can be found at Independent Review | Family is Culture (nsw.gov.au)
Ngunya Jarjum will continue to argue for the rights of our children and young people whether they are in the care of the Minister or living at home with their families. We actively advocate for family to participate in decision making for our Jarjums and look forward to using this opportunity to bring to the attention of communities, sector professionals and peers this important independent review and recommendations. We thank NIAA for the opportunity to raise awareness to the report through this funding.
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NJ Staff Awards
The Ngunya Jarjum Team came together for a face-to-face all staff meeting on the 9th May. It was good to catch up again in person as we have all been working remotely since the NSW floods. At this meeting we presented our NJ Quarterly Staff Awards which recognises some of our hard working and dedicated staff. This quarter our award winners were:
Staff Member of the Quarter - Anthony Bristow
Rookie of the Quarter - Tammy Weber
Above and Beyond Award - Caralyn Styche
People's Choice Award - Caitlin Kenny
Congratulations guys!! We appreciate your hard work, it doesn't go unnoticed.
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Are you preparing a presentation or a project with your computer?
Sometimes you need extra illustration for it and clip art is often the best solution.
You may also need some images and a great place for free images that you can legally use is https://pixabay.com or https://pexels.com
Good luck with making that next presentation or document something that will wow!
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From the Desk of the Out of Home Care Team
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NSW Child Safe Standards for Permanent Care - Standard 2: Providing a positive care environment
Standard 2 of the NSW Child Safe Standards for Permanent Care is 'Providing a positive care environment'. The objective of this standard is that Children and young people receive appropriate care relevant to their circumstances, in a safe environment.
Key requirements in the legislation
• All children and young people must be provided with comfortable and safe care environments.
• Agencies that work with children and young people have an obligation to keep them safe from harm.
• The permanent placement principles must guide placement decisions for all children and young people.
• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placement principles must guide placement decisions for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
• Children and young people have the right to privacy within the care environment and to maintain their personal belongings.
• Children and young people must be provided with a range of social and recreational activities.
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Indicators of compliance with the standard
• The agency cooperates with other agencies to provide an integrated service for each child or young person and their family.
• Children and young people are placed in care environments that support their need for permanency and stability.
• The care environment is assessed for safety and suitability prior to a placement commencing, including the safety of swimming pools and outdoor areas.
• There is ongoing monitoring of the safety and suitability of the care environment.
• The care environment is altered when the specific needs of a child or young person require it.
• Staff allocation in the care environment supports continuity of care and relationships.
• Children and young people have privacy in their personal space and their belongings are safe and respected.
• There is a range of age-appropriate activities and experiences in the care environment.
• Critical incidents occurring within the care environment are reported, recorded and managed within the agency’s required timeframes and in accordance with mandated responsibilities.
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HR Manager Update
NJ community,
“Be Brave. Make Change.”
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/be-brave-make-change-nrw-2022/
Positions Vacant - NJ is currently recruiting, if your keen as to work with Mob for Mob join the Deadly NJ Team https://ngunyajarjum.com/current-vacancies/
Closing date for positions available 23rd June 2022.
• Operations Manager • Manager Compliance & Quality Control
• Caseworker OoHC • Balaa worker • Reception/Admin Officer
• Compliance Officer
Upcoming Training - Accredited First Aid and CPR training for our carers on the 18th July 2022, if you are interested please contact Tanachae through human.resources@ngunyajarjum.com or give the office a call. Tanachae will send you further information.
Stay Safe you Mob
Michelle Hicks (Waddy)
Human Resources Manager
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Positions Vacant
Reception/Administration Officer (Aboriginal Identified)
$25 - $29.99 per hour full time position
Balaa (Casework support) worker (Aboriginal Identified)
76-hour Fortnight, Full-time on-going position
Caseworker (Aboriginal Identified)
$65,000 - $74,999 full time position
Compliance Officer (Aboriginal Identified)
70 hour Fortnight, full-time on-going position
Manager Compliance & Quality Control (Aboriginal Identified)
$100,000 - $119,999 – 76 hour fortnight
Operations Manager (Aboriginal Identified)
$120,000 - $139,999 – 76 hour fortnight
Closing date for applications is Thursday 23rd June 2022
To find out more please visit Ngunya Jarjum | Current Vacancies | Work with Us or contact Michelle Hicks on (02) 6626 3700 Human Resources Manager. All applications will be received via SEEK or recruitment@ngunyajarjum.com
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An important message for our Carers
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Lost Licences, Identification and Personal Documents
If your licence, identification document or other personal document has been lost or destroyed in a natural disaster, you may be able to get a replacement at no charge. Find out more about what types of documents can be replaced and how to apply here.
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When to contact us...
You should notify us about any changes effecting you, your partner or any household member.
- Moved to a new address?
- Changed or have a new contact number?
- Changed or have a new email address?
Change in personal circumstances and household movements
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Gumaguy
Gumaguy is a service aimed at reducing the risk to families, where children and young people have been identified by Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) assessment as being at risk of being removed from the family home. Families can only be referred to the program through DCJ.
Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm our Gumaguy team can be contacted through the Ngunya Jarjum switch. After hours, weekends and public holidays use the FREECALL 1800 325 081 or mobile 0438497743.
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Balaa
In the local Widjabul dialect, ‘Balaa’ means to ‘help’. We consider the name appropriate, as the services offered through Balaa are provided to compliment quality case planning for children and families and wrap-around the child and family to improve outcomes for Aboriginal families in Northern NSW across the whole of sector. Through referral to the Balaa services, you can access casework support services such as:
- Mapping Mob (helping you find links through families and kinship networks)
- Youth Mentoring
- Family Group Conferencing
- Cultural case and/or Care planning
- Transport services
- Aboriginal consultation
- Family time supervision
- Adolescent / Caregiver mediation services
- Individual / Specific services as requested
Simply call to ask for more detail about the services and/or request a referral form. (02) 6626 3700 or email intake@ngunyajarjum.com
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Bugil Wernbe - Targeted Early Intervention Tabulam and District
The Targeted Early Intervention (TEI) program delivers flexible support to children, young people, families or communities who are experiencing or at risk of being vulnerable. As the number of our children reported to be at significant risk of harm continues to grow, we are pleased to have secured this program to target support to these remote communities and will continue to seek out opportunities to get similar funding for other communities across the Far North Coast of NSW.
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AbSec Learning and Development Centre
AbSec Learning and Development Centre offers accredited courses in child and family welfare, disability services, governance and leadership. It is the first facility of its kind in NSW. A registered training organisation owned and managed by Aboriginal people, offering specialised training for people working with Aboriginal children, families and organisations. AbSec LDC also offers a range of short courses, both accredited and non-accredited, to assist workers in the child and family sector build their skillsets, providing them with the culturally appropriate understanding and knowledge they need Find out more
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Community News and Events
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Flood Recovery Services
• Evacuation & Recovery centres
• Emergency accommodation
• Clean-up assistance
• Financial assistance
• Business grants
• Mental health services
• Personalised care
• Replacement ID and personal documents
Call 13 77 88 or visit nsw.gov.au/floods
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Aboriginal Home Buyer Grants
Starting out on the home ownership journey can be both exciting and daunting. You might even be unsure about whether it is something you can achieve right now. For others, you might have already purchased land and be looking to finance your build.
The Aboriginal Home Buyer Saver offers financial support for Aboriginal people who are ready to take the next step towards home ownership. The scheme consists of 3 grants that eligible Aboriginal people can apply for to access a one-off financial boost.
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National Child Protection Week Theme
National Child Protection Week 4 - 10 September 2022 will continue to embrace the overarching message that 'Every child, in every community, needs a fair go'. This year we will be shining a light on children growing up safe and supported. Children and young people thrive when they grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture. They have the right to grow up in environments that support them according to their needs, now and into the future. Find out more
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Become a Member
It is important for people interested in the future of the corporation to be members and to attend the general meetings. A membership application form is available here.
If you are already a member and need to update your homes address, phone number or email address you can contact us by phoning 6626 3700 or emailing us at info@ngunyajarjum.com.
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Join our team of Foster Carers
Ngunya Jarjum is always looking for new carers to join the organisation and help ensure the wellbeing of all our jarjums. We need quality carers with a commitment to community, family and culture. If you, or someone you know, is considering the important role of becoming a foster visit our website for more information and to apply. https://ngunyajarjum.com/becoming-a-carer/
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Donate
We are a registered charity and rely on government grants and donations to keep operating. If you would like to make a donation you can donate via Paypal.
Visit our website to complete the form and you will be taken to our secure PayPal donation portal.
Make a donation
We do appreciate your support!
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