Update for Monday 1 February 2021
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Join the Building Better Homes campaign
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Right now, three quarters of Australians with mobility impairment live in housing which does not meet their needs.That's why SACOSS is calling on our colleagues and supporters to join the Building Better Homes campaign.
Building Better Homes is campaigning for the inclusion of minimum accessibility standards for new houses and apartments in the National Building Code. This change will help ensure more older Australians and people living with disabilities can access accessible housing. Show your support by signing their petition, or by signing up as an organisational campaign partner.
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Raise the Rate for Good update
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This week, the Federal Parliament will return for the first sitting week of the year. As the Coronavirus Supplements is set to cease in March and return many payments to the old rate of $40 a day, it is likely the Government may make a decision on the future of JobSeeker and other income support. This means it's vital that we galvanise support amongst Government MPs for a permanent, adequate increase to these payments.
To help out, please consider contacting your MP, or any MPs you have relationships with, to advocate for a permanent increase to the base rate of JobSeeker of at least $25 a day more, so that people can cover the basics.
ACOSS has developed handy guides to help organisations and individuals to call their MPs. There is also more information and resources available on the Raise The Rate website. We would also encourage supporters to share information about the campaign to Raise the Rate for Good with people who are affected, and people who care about this issue.
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Forcing Aussies to pick fruit just won't work (The Advertiser, paywall)
The Federal Government is being warned that using welfare cuts to push workers into the bush will backfire, and that laziness is not the root of labour shortages.
SA Council of Social Service spokeswoman Catherine Earl stressed that going back to the harsh old rate of $40 a day for job seekers would not solve rural workforce woes, and that JobSeeker should be permanently increased by “at least $25 a day” from $40 after the coronavirus supplement ends on March 31.
“Permanently increasing JobSeeker so people can cover the basics doesn’t make people less likely to seek and find paid work,” she said.
Warnings facial recognition tech not enough to offset damage if pokies accept bank notes (The Advertiser, paywall)
South Australian venues in the next six to 12 months will provide machines that can accept bank notes, provided facial recognition technology is used to identify confirmed problem gamblers.
SA Council of Social Service policy director Catherine Earl said allowing gaming machines in South Australia to take banknotes was a significant backward step.
"SACOSS is concerned about the harm in the community that will result,” Ms Earl said. “Gambling is already responsible for significant harm in our communities, not just for individuals but whole families. This will just make it even easier for people to get into trouble.”
CEO Ross Womersley interview on Afternoons with Sonya Feldhoff (ABC Radio Adelaide, interview begins around 1:38)
SACOSS CEO Ross Womersley joined Sonya Feldhoff on Monday 25 January to discuss compulsory swimming lessons as a possible solution to South Australia's concerning drowning rates. SACOSS CEO Ross Womersley comments: "It would be viable, if we could be confident there were mechanisms that allow struggling families to access programs without it becoming a major cost ... for some families, it's simply not going to be on the list of their priorities."
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As of 5:30PM, Saturday 30 January 2021 in South Australia there was:
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1 new case, 1 active case, 592 patients recovered, 597 total cases
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For a refresher on current SA restrictions, go here.
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Current status of restrictions which may affect you:
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The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, recovered cases, deaths, and new cases in the last 24 hours, recorded in Australia since 1 Feb 2021 is available here.
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Restrictions on travel, use of space and other matters are advised by on Healthdirect Australia Restriction Checker for each state and territory across Australia.
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Please be mindful to continue to protect yourself and others as restrictions change. Advice on how to do that can be found here.
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COVID-19 vaccination program (SA Health)
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SA Health is working closely with the Commonwealth Australian Government Department of Health to develop an implementation plan for South Australia in line with the Vaccine Roadmap announced by the Federal Government. It is expected that the vaccine will first be made available to South Australians incrementally from mid-February, and the roll out is anticipated to take several months. Key information includes:
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The first phase of vaccinations will include residents and staff of aged and disability care facilities, medi-hotel and airport staff, and health care workers working in high risk exposure and transmission areas, such as COVID testing clinics and emergency departments.
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Vaccinations for the general public are expected to occur from mid-2021.
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Two doses of the vaccine are required per person, meaning that it will take longer for every South Australian to be adequately immunized against the virus. Once a safe and effective vaccine becomes available, it is still important to keep the community safe by practicing good hygiene, physical distancing and getting tested and staying home when sick.
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If you have questions or concerns, you can also contact the DHS' dedicated COVID-19 team via DHSCOVIDResponse@sa.gov.au. The role of the team is to support new policies and procedures, monitor impacts across the sector, bolster information sharing and advise on key decisions as the situation changes.
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5 Ways to Wellbeing - Carers SA
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Carers SA are offering two free events for individuals caring for someone who is frail, or has a disability, health condition or illness. 5 Ways to Wellbeing will introduce you to five simple and effective ways to improve your psychological and emotional health. The next two sessions will take place on 24 February 2021 and 7 April 2021, 10AM-2PM. Sessions are hosted at SACOSS, 47 King William Road, Unley. For more information, to find other sessions or to book in, please visit Eventbrite.
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Jeremy Ward: Safeguarding the future
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People with an intellectual disability often rely on family, friends or advocates to provide safeguards around their quality of life, especially when they have difficulty communicating.
In this video, taken from Belonging Matters' recent webinar Safeguarding the Future, Jeremy Ward addresses the importance of vision when planning for the future. Jeremy is a parent from Brisbane whose eldest daughter, Mena, lived with disability and required support to live in her own home, which she did successfully for over 10 years.
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Dame Roma Mitchell grants - first 2021 grant round now open
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Dame Roma Mitchell Grants provide opportunities for eligible children and young people who are, or have been, under the guardianship of the Chief Executive or Minister for Child Protection in South Australia for at least one full year to:
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achieve personal goals
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contribute to health and wellbeing
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provide developmental opportunities
The January/Feburary grant round has opened today, and will close on Friday March 2021. Application forms are available on the Department for Child Protection website. Please read the grant program guidelines for essential information regarding the grant program.
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National workforce survey for family, parent and child mental health: help improve outcomes for children in Australia
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In order to best meet the needs of the health, social and community services workers across a range of professions all over Australia, Emerging Minds, with its delivery partners, is conducting the national workforce survey for family, parent and child mental health. This survey is the first of its kind and will provide a baseline measure for improving the way we support children’s mental health through workforce development. Complete the survey, and enter for a chance to win an iPad, here.
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New AIHW release: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health expenditure
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This report presents estimated health expenditure for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians from 2010–11 to 2016–17. It is a companion piece to the health expenditure-related information reported in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2020. The total health expenditure per person for Indigenous Australians was 1.3 times that of non-Indigenous Australians in 2015–16. Read the report here.
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MarionLIFE will be offering a number of services to support community members in 2021. Learn more about these services on their website at www.marionlife.org.au.
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Positions available - Baptist Care SA
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Tumbelin Farm Counsellor
Fixed term contract until 30 June 2022 FTE 0.3
Apply here
Applications close 7 Feb
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Tumbelin Farm is a residential adventure therapy program for young South Australians aged 16 – 21 who want to overcome drug and alcohol issues and achieve lasting positive change. The Tumbelin Farm Counsellor will work one-on-one with each client every week and be a key member of the client’s care team assisting them toward sustained, long term recovery.
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Review of South Australia's Retirement Village Act
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The Office for Ageing Well is conducting of review of South Australia's Retirement Villages Act 2016. The RV Act and its regulations, frame the operations of the State’s 534 registered retirement villages. The review will consider whether the Act meets its intended objectives, including:
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clarifying the rights and responsibilities of both operators and resident
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enhancing information disclosure requirements
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providing tighter definitions
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ensuring sufficient consumer protection
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CBB Community Business Grants: new grant round closes this Friday
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CBB are offering two grants in the form of business resilience consulting support. The consulting support will include meetings, workshops, and business model development. Subject to the successful organisations' needs, the support may also include training, capacity building, or a report with suggestions for improvement. Any organisation registered with the ACNC or ORIC is eligible for this grant round. You do not need to be an existing CBB client to apply. Don't delay - applications close 1PM ACDT, Friday 5 February. Find out more information and apply here.
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Grant opportunities to support attending NIDAC20
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On 11 September 2020 the Australian Government announced it would establish the $50 million Business Events Grants program. This program is funded under the $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund which is providing assistance to sectors, regions and communities disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The 6th National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference (NIDAC20) has been listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events on Austrade's website.
Eligible businesses can apply for funding under the Business Events Grants Program to cover up to 50% of the costs of participating in this Conference for items such as trade exhibition, sponsorship and delegate attendance costs.
Grants from $10,000 to $250,000 per entity are available. Applicants are able to apply for multiple events listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events.
Grant applications close at 5pm (AEDST) on 30 March 2021 or earlier if funding is exhausted.For further information or to apply go to business.gov.au.
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CMHA 3rd National NDIS and Mental Health Conference (delivered online)
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When: February 4-5
Delivered virtually
More information
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The past 18 months has seen the transition of people with primary psychosocial disability into the NDIS and significant changes in the interface with mental health supports and services. Each state has had its own timings, learnings and takeaways from the NDIS national rollout. The Third National NDIS Mental Health Conference explores lived experience, innovation, human rights and the interface. Register here.
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CFCA webinar: the digital divide and remote service delivery
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When February 24
Delivered virtually
Register here
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COVID-19 has produced increasing demands on many child, family and community welfare services, including mental health and domestic violence. At the same time, due to restrictions, services have needed to shift to remote service delivery, which has exposed inequities in community levels of digital access and literacy. Many service providers have created innovative solutions to continue supporting their clients and community.
Drawing on some of these experiences and the research evidence, this webinar will explore:
- the ‘digital divide’ and which population groups are most at risk of digital exclusion, and why
- the challenges of operating when both clients and service providers are impacted by digital exclusion
- innovative solutions and practical considerations for ongoing remote service delivery.
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360edge training calendar
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360Edge is a lead provider of professional development for alcohol and other drugs specialists, as well as other health, welfare, and education frontline workers who work with people who use alcohol and other drugs. Their 2021 training calendar is available here. Upcoming sessions include:
Looking for tailored workshops and training for your organisation or sector? Get in touch at 1300 988 184 or training@360edge.com.au.
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