Update for Wednesday 31 March 2021
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SACOSS Energy, Water and Housing Conference 2021
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Wednesday, 19 May 2021 - Adelaide Convention Centre
Our 10th annual Energy, Water and Housing Conference is on the theme of Living Without the Basics, and examines the real life impacts of inefficient housing on access to affordable and secure energy and water. The conference consider topics from interdisciplinary perspectives with expert speakers within the energy, housing and water sectors and provide opportunities for participants to engage with and influence policy in these fundamental areas. You can register here, check out the draft program here, and contact SACOSS Events Assistant on crystal@sacoss.org.au if you have any queries.
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SACOSS event - After the Royal Commission - What next?
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A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our event "After the Royal Commission - What's Next" this morning! We heard some fantastic recommendations and reflections from our speakers Jane Mussared (COTA SA), Ian Henschke (National Seniors Australia) and David Panter (ECH Inc) regarding challenges and solutions in aged care. For more information check out this COTA SA policy alert on the Royal Commission's final report.
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Can't get to space if you can't get online - SA lags behind on critical digital frontier
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As Adelaide hosts the 11th Australian Space Forum today, the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) has highlighted the other end of the technology spectrum, where many South Australians still struggle with digital connection and digital literacy. South Australia consistently rates as the lowest mainland state in the Australian Digital Inclusion Index which measures online access, affordability and the ability to do things online.
"The space industry is the pinnacle of high-tech ambition and having a space industry based in Adelaide offers potential commercial and employment opportunities for some South Australians, but if we don’t also ensure that people at the other end of the tech-access spectrum have access to the basic digital technologies we will simply increase inequality and entrench a dangerous digital divide," stated SACOSS CEO Ross Womersley. Read more.
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Uluru Statement & First Nations Voice to Parliament - extension to 30 April
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We now have another four weeks to voice our support for a First Nations Voice to Parliament protected by the Constitution – and your support is needed more than ever!
From the Heart has released its submission to the Government's report and wants to encourage large numbers of individuals and organisations to make similar submissions in support of From the Heart’s position. While there is still time, consider making a submission that will:
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Call on the Government to honour its election commitment to a referendum once a model for the Voice has been settled
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Call for enabling legislation for the Voice to be passed after a referendum has been held in the next term of Parliament
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Call for a membership model for the National Voice that ensures previously unheard Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the same chance of being selected as established leadership figures.
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Submissions can be lodged here.
From the Heart also has a digital canvas for people to easily sign. Find updates on the From the Heart campaign by following them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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The Robodebt campaign continues, and an additional two cases have been won against the Government at the Tribunal on Robodebt 2.0. In both cases Centrelink has been told debts using averaging and apportionment of income is wrong. These are huge wins for these individual cases – but there are still many more to go! You can read more in the Guardian here. You can find (and sign) SA Senator Rex Patrick's petition to scrap these debts here.
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If you receive some of our SACOSS communications and are from a SACOSS member organisation, you may have an email in your inbox from us asking you what you think about what we do! Please give us a hand by responding. Also, you may win a prize! If you are from a SACOSS member organisation and would like to receive communications from us (or the survey link), drop us a line: sacoss@sacoss.org.au.
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Vaccinations update and information
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Information about vaccinations can be found on the federal Department of Health website section dedicated to the COVID-19 vaccination program and the SA Health COVID-19 vaccination page. A recording of an update on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the residential aged care and disability sectors from the Department of Human Services (DHS) and SA Health is available here.
The federal Commonwealth Department of Health also held a webinar for disability providers and peak bodies, which is available here. DHS has advised that feedback from aged care and disability residential facilities on the rollout of the vaccine at their sites is welcomed, and to forward your feedback through your Primary Health Network.
Some other useful links include:
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COVID-19 vaccination information for AOD workers
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Alcohol and other drug services workers who are currently employed are classified as ‘other health care workers’ eligible for access to the COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 1B of the vaccine roll-out. Phase 1B commenced on 22 March, 2021. Eligibility extends to all staff working in healthcare settings, such as administrative staff, management and students. Individuals working in corporate offices which aren’t service delivery sites aren’t eligible in phase 1B.
Proof of eligibility
Individuals need to prove their eligibility in order to receive the vaccine. Alcohol and other drug workers seeking to prove their eligibility can do so through providing proof of occupation.Proof of occupation can be demonstrated through:
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a completed eligibility declaration form, which is available on the Department of Health website here.
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Alternatively, proof of occupation can be demonstrated through a letter from their employer which confirms that individual is currently employed in a relevant occupation for phase 1B, or by providing a current work ID which shows employment in a relevant occupation for phase 1B.
Receiving the vaccine.
Individuals can confirm their eligibility and find the details of sites near them where they can book an appointment to receive the vaccine on the Department of Health website here. Further information on the roll-out of sites where vaccines can be obtained is on the Department of Health website here. Anyone seeking help to find a suitable clinic can contact the National Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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Vaccination rollout for disability residential facilities
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In the coming weeks Healthdirect, on behalf of DoH, will be contacting providers to verify data about accommodation sites to support the continued planning for delivering vaccines to eligible disability facilities during Phase 1a of the rollout. Please note that the data collection form is now open on an ongoing basis to allow for updating critical information for your sites.
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DoH has hosted a webinar on the Phase 1a disability vaccine rollout
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Disability residential accommodation providers can access the latest provider alerts from the Commonwealth on the NDIS provider alert website.
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It is also recommended that you bookmark the DoH disability provider webpage which will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.
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General COVID-19 information
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As of Wednesday 31 March 2021 in South Australia there were 3 new COVID-19 cases, 18 active cases, 633 patients recovered, and 655 total cases. You can contact the DHS COVID-19 team with questions or concerns, and find a range of further information at the links below. The most recent DHS update yesterday relates to Greater Brisbane's three-day lockdown and the SA Government's subsequent hard border in place with the restricted zones of Queensland.
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Carer Experienced History Month
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April is the month that Care Experienced people (people who spent time in institutional and out of home care) around the world are celebrated for their strength, resilience, activism, advocacy and contribution to humanity. It represents an acknowledgement of the systemic, cultural and individual oppression that Care Experienced people have endured. You can learn more in the Forgotten Australians section on the Helping Hands website.
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Review of SA Retirement Villages Act
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The submission period for the review of South Australia’s Retirement Villages Act 2016 has been extended until Friday 16 April 2021 at 5.00pm (ACDT). 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 residents,
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enhancing information disclosure requirements,
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providing tighter definitions,
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and ensuring sufficient consumer protection.
A report on outcomes of the review, including community feedback, will be provided to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing for tabling in Parliament later in 2021. Have your say at: www.yoursay.sa.gov.au/RV-Act-Review or via email RVActReview@sa.gov.au
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MarionLIFE emergency relief donations
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The Emergency Relief stock at MarionLIFE Community Services is low at the moment They are seeking donations of the following items:
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Food Items: Canned Soup, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Fruit in a cup, Baked Beans/Spaghetti, Harvest Steak and Onion, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Cereal, Long Life Milk Full and Skim, Breakfast Spreads, Tuna, Small jars of coffee, Tea Bags.
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Hygiene Items: Washing Powder 500g, Spray and Wipe 500ml, Dishwashing liquid 500ml, Tooth Paste 90g, Single Toothbrush, Shampoo 200ml, Men’s and/or Women’s Roll-on Deodorant, Nappies, Sanitary Pads.
Items can be dropped off at MarionLIFE between 9AM-12PM Monday-Thursday. If you are unable to drop items off but would still like to support our work financial donations can be made online here.
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Calling all creative women, girls and non-binary folks with disabilities! Submissions are now open for Women with Disabilities Australia’s LEAD Art Prize and close on July 23, 2021. All the information you need to participate, including Easy English translations, is available at wwda.org.au/wwda-lead/
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WellBeing SA Integrated Care survey
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Wellbeing SA is a South Australian government agency established in January 2020 to deliver a renewed focus and actions on prevention in health. They are currently undertaking an online survey designed to inform development of an Integrated Care Strategy. The survey provides the opportunity for South Australians living with or caring for people with chronic conditions to contribute their views and experiences of healthcare.
The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete, will be open for 2 weeks, and all responses will be kept strictly anonymous. People can take the survey here. Please consider encouraging the people your organisation supports to participate. Wellbeing SA is seeking to collect as many consumer voices as they can in order to inform development of the Strategy.
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Submissions wanted - SA Suicide Prevention Plan
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Wellbeing SA and the Premier’s Council on Suicide Prevention are developing South Australia’s next Suicide Prevention Plan in partnership with South Australians. They are keen to hear your and / or your organisation’s views by 23 April 2021. There are many different ways to get involved and have a say such as:
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hosting a conversation with your friends or community and returning your findings to
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wellbeingsa.suicideprevention@sa.gov.au (to help with planning a conversation please see the Conversations Matter resources)
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calling 1800 955 709 during the ‘Phone In’ from 6 to 13 April 2021.
For further information and other ways to get involved, please visit this page. Following this consultation period, an interim report will be developed by September 2021 for further discussion and feedback from South Australians.
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Menstruation matters: access the latest CCYP report
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The Commissioner for Children and Young People recently released the Menstruation Matters report, providing an in-depth exploration of the impact menstruation has on South Australian school aged children and young people who have periods. It is clear that to improve menstrual wellbeing across our community we must acknowledge menstruation as a systemic gender equity and equal opportunity issue, which needs a comprehensive systemic policy response. Read the report here. It provides a great opportunity for service providers to think about menstrual awareness, menstrual education and menstrual management for children and young people in their services.
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Reconciliation SA board position
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Applications close
2 April 5PM
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Reconciliation SA are seeking a Director to join their board, with executive level experience in one or more of the following areas: 1) financial and accounting systems; 2) strategy development and implementation in the not-for-profit sector; or 3) developing a fundraising strategy specific to an organisation in the not-for-profit sector.
If you are interested in this unique opportunity to contribute your skills and knowledge in a voluntary capacity to make a difference in the lives of others, we would welcome a call or email from you. For a confidential discussion please contact Ms Shona Reid, CEO Reconciliation SA 0497162447 or sreid@reconciliationsa.org.au
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Applications for the 2021 Feed Appeal Grants opened on Monday 15 March at 9AM. Feed Appeal grants are focused on helping build capacity and capability of food relief organisations to make a different in their local communities. To apply:
- Read the information pack in full (click here to download)
- Check your postcode to find out which grants you can apply for (download here)
- All post codes in your state or territory should be listed as Feed Appeal grants are available everywhere, if your post code is not listed please contact 1300 421 041 and we will advise you of which grants you are eligible to apply for.
- Register for one of next week’s Grants information webinar sessions
- Join the 2021 Grants Facebook group (click here to join)
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360Edge upcoming training opportunites
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The how and why of motivational interviewing
When: 29 April 2021
Cost: Early Bird $295, Standard $355
Delivered virtually
More information
Responding to trauma in alcohol and other drugs
When: 13 May 2021
Cost: Early Bird $295, Standard $355
Delivered virtually
More information
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This one-day workshop will cover the key elements in motivational interviewing essential for AOD workers. Participants will improve their motivational interviewing skills – “the how” – and gain a deeper understanding of the spirit and philosophy of motivational interviewing – “the why”.
This one-day workshop provides participants with a practical, skills-based approach to responding sensitively and effectively to clients with co-occurring trauma and alcohol and other drug support needs.
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NDIS and Psychosocial Disability Quality and Safety Forum
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When: 29 April 2021
9:30AM-2PM
Delivered virtually
Register here
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The Embracing Change Project is providing a FREE half day NDIS and Psychosocial Disability Quality and Safety Forum (National Forum) showcasing a national perspective on NDIS psychosocial disability Quality and Safeguarding issues at the intersection of mental health and disability. It will include NDIS participants’ perspectives on psychosocial disability service quality, future directions for quality and safety, perspectives on QMS, inclusive governance, a human rights approach to restrictive practices in a psychosocial disability context, and global implementation of quality rights frameworks. More information
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Free Webinars: Law for Community Workers
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When: Thursdays
12:30-1:30PM (Sessions not scheduled in school holidays)
Delivered virtually
Register here
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The Legal Services Commission is providing free webinars for community workers:
- Legal Responses to Bullying
- Centrelink – The Legal Basics
- Youth Justice – the Legal Basics
- Family Law – the Legal Basics
These webinars are part of the free Law for Community Workers Program. Community workers are key problem-spotters, and can play an important role in assisting their clients to understand and protect their legal rights, and access legal help. Queries? Contact Paula Meegan, the Law for Community Workers Program Coordinator.
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