Greeting from Val’s in the wonderful state of Victoria – it’s been a tough few months for everyone but particularly older people and those caring for them both in the community and in residential aged care. Together we did it and hopefully we will now move into safer and more relaxed times ahead. Well done all!
The Val's team have been really busy over the past month - delivering lots of training, as well as developing resources and putting together some events for the ageing and aged care sector. This month we share some new reports and resources, information, events and more to assist you with developing and delivering LGBTI-safe and inclusive care and support to older people.
Highlights include the release the long-awaited LGBTI-inclusive practice tool - The Val's Review piloted at a forum in the Southern Region earlier this year, a range of events including the launch of Private Lives 3, and so much more - please read on.
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We hope to see you at an online event soon.
Vals LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care
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Available NOW - The Val's Review tool
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Val's is pleased to announce the release of a new resource - The LGBTI-inclusive practice review tool for services supporting or caring for older people, - the Val's Review Tool.
The tool uses the Rainbow Tick Standards and aims to support ageing and aged care services to become culturally-safe and inclusive for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people. It will assist you to review your current LGBTI-inclusive practice, and identify gaps and areas for improvement and action. You can also use the results of your Val's review to assist with diversity requirements for Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS) review processes as we have interpreted and linked each Rainbow Tick indicator with the related ACQS.
A big thanks to everyone who contributed to the development of this resource including a special thanks to Katie Goodrope, SMR Diversity Officer. We have produced two full versions - a low-colour printer friendly version, and the full colour version - both can be downloaded here:
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Throughout November, Val's is presenting a free, mini-online forum with a range of events occurring across the month. We hope these will provide opportunities for providers to consider a range of strategies in the development and delivery of LGBTI-inclusive care and support. To find out more about each session and to register, click below:
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Launch of Private Lives 3
Please join us for the launch of Private Lives 3, the third iteration of the largest ongoing national survey of the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people in Australia. This virtual launch will hear from the Victorian Minister for Health and Minister for Equality The Hon. Martin Foley, including a range of other speakers as well as a discussion panel of community leaders, on Friday November 13 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. Registrations are essential. RSVP now.
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Intersex resources
Earlier this week - 26 October was Intersex Awareness Day and Intersex Human Rights Australia (IHRA) in collaboration with community partners,launched a series of new resources and programs to help ensure active allyship, affirmative healthcare and accountable practices. Visit the IHRA website to access these great resources, videos and more.
Learn more.
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Video Resource
Diversity Hume Region Alliance recently released and educational video of Mumma, a gay Aboriginal elder sharing his lived experience of homelessness. It provides insightful, tips and strategies for homelessness agencies, and community aged care programs to understand and work purposefully with their communities. Watch here
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Policy Template
Grampians Diversity Equity & Inclusion Reference Group has collaboratively developed a tool for use by all aged care providers, to guide their own organisational development of a Policy/Procedure/Framework relating to the sexuality, intimacy, body and gender identity/expression for older people.
Learn more
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Report Release HAAG
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) recently released the report from a study into the housing experiences and needs of older LGBTI people.
Find out more
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AAG paper - LGBTI Housing
In collaboration with HAAG, the Australia Association of Gerontologists (AAG) has also released its paper on LGBTI housing needs which follows the scoping report released last year.
Find out more
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Many of Val's subscribers and friends will know of the amazing Jill Bolen who has presented at a number of Val's conferences. Jill has recently completed and released her memoirs - Say what you mean, and mean what you say, then wearing the consequences.
For anyone who has heard Jill speak, or has had the pleasure of meeting her will know this is sure the be an inspirational and insightful read covering her life including her period in the Queensland Police Force through to her extensive and influential community development work.
Jill has self-published her memoirs and only has very limited copies available. If any of our subscribers are interested in purchasing a copy, please email us at Val's here and we will pass your details to Jill.
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New Service
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Learn more.
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COVID-19 & Older LGBTIQ+ People in Australia
A study is occurring to find out more about how older LGBTIQ+ people in Australia are impacted by COVID-19.
Learn more.
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