Your Voice - 30 January 2020

Tuesday, 18th and Wednesday 19th February 2020 | Angourie Rainforest Resort, Yamba

Revisiting Aboriginal Wellbeing – a Celebration of Regional Partnerships will bring you practical stories of a growing community of non-Aboriginal and local Aboriginal communities working in partnership to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people living on the northern coast of NSW.

Hurry! Early bird prices end 31st January 2020. Want to learn more?
Contact Bronwyn Thirkell via email: coordinator@thecentrehki.com.au or phone: 0437 027 751.

Download the program here | Register here

Sunday, 16th February 2020 | 8:00am – 2:00pm | Harbourside Markets, Jetty Foreshore, Coffs Harbour 

The ‘Seniors Celebration Market Day 2020’ is a themed market event providing fun, entertainment and workshops with a seniors focus. A special invitation to our multicultural community and to seniors with disabilities.

The festival will run in conjunction with the regular Sunday offerings at Harbourside Markets, an established local weekly makers and growers market situated alongside historic Coffs Harbour jetty.

Activities presented on the day include:

• ‘The cup of gratitude’ free refreshments prepared by the local CWA and served by SSI and our multi-cultural community.
• Pop Up Elton John Choir with Stephanie Sims
• Seniors Fashion Parade
• Seniors Open Mic Performance
• Senior Pamper Tent with hand massages
• Seniors playtime with an adult jumping castle, adult cycle ponies, hula hooping, face painting
• Games Tent with Mahjong, chess and scrabble
• Workshops

Workshops:

• Painting Workshop
• Make-your-own Elton Glasses
• All Abilities Choir Workshop and performance

Wheelchair friendly / Undercover seating provided

Musical performances and onstage entertainment on the day will be tailored to appeal to and showcase a seniors audience.

The Facebook event for the listing is here. See the flyer here.

HIPPY is a free two-year program that supports parents and carers to help children make a successful transition to school and beyond. HIPPY is designed to fit in around daily family life. Parents are asked to spend 10-15 minutes a day doing fun educational activities with their child, while a trained HIPPY tutor will meet with families at home each week or fortnight to practice the HIPPY activities.

For more information contact the Samaritans Community Hub, Kempsey on (02) 6562 3705.

Read the flyer here. 

Lifeline offers free and confidential face-to-face counselling for problem gamblers and their friends and families.

Free financial counselling is also offered.

For more information please contact Vince Jensen on (02) 6651 4093 or visit the website here. 

Monday, 27th April 2020 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm | C.ex Club, Coffs Harbour 

In this dynamic 90-minute seminar, renowned psychologist Jocelyn Brewer will help parents and carers understand aspects of technology, app and video game design that prove to be so seductive (and perhaps even ‘addictive’) to young people and their still-developing brains.

A practical and positive framework for managing and communicating on such issues.

It’s free to attend but you need to register via Sticky Tickets here. See the flyer here.

From Monday, 3rd February to Thursday, 9th April 2020 | 10:00am – 12:00pm Drop-in sessions| Bowraville Community Health, 43 High Street, Bowraville

Weekly smoking cessation education group, providing support, education and information, including how to effectively use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and make an informed quit attempt, as well as linking to other Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) support services where needed.

See the flyer here.

Juumbiya Contacts:

Kelvin Jarrett: 0418 164 827 | Melinda Ricketts: 0419 963 005

Wednesday, 24th March 2020 | 9:00am – 1:00pm | Cex Club, Coffs Harbour 

Purpose:
To increase understanding of suicide bereavement and learn basic support skills

Topics covered:

• The StandBy Service Model
• Crisis, trauma and grief
• Support approaches and best practice
• Self-Care

Light refreshments provided (if you have specific dietary requirements please self-cater).

See the flyer here.

Eight consecutive Tuesdays, commencing Tuesday, 11th February 2020 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | Uniting Family Centre, 7 Maclean Street, Coffs Harbour 

Circle of Security is designed for parents and carers who would like to support their children to build secure relationships. This program is FREE to families with children.

Bookings are essential. Please call (02) 6659 2800 or email: unitingcoffsharbour@uniting.org to book or for information.

See the flyer here.

The NAIDOC annual poster comp is on again!

If you know any Aboriginal artists (of any age!) who want to go in for the chance to win $10,000 let them know.

The theme for NAIDOC this year is “Always Was, Always Will Be”.

Friday, 14th February 2020 | 10:00am – 12:00pm |

You are invited to a free information event for professionals only. Two keynote speakers. Please bring your agency’s advertising material to share with the group.

Find out more here | Register here

Monday, 10th February 2020 | 11:30 am – 1:30pm | C.ex Club, Coffs Harbour

Topic: Talking About Art Therapy

About the session: Art Therapy is client-centred, inclusive and outcome orientated. Art therapy helps
children, adolescents, and adults explore their emotions, improve self-esteem, manage
addictions, relieve stress, improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and cope with
physical illness or disability. Included in this session: Learn about art therapy and the history of it, a case study of art therapy at work and a
hands-on practical session using art.

Light refreshments will be served. Please register here.

Thursday, 27th February 2020 | 11:00am – 12:00pm AEDT 

It is culture that enables people to perform at their best and, in the face of two Royal Commissions, it is culture that must become the key business driver for disability and aged care providers. This requires a new kind of visible leadership. For many CEOs this will be an entirely new kind of role.

In this webinar, Fran Connelley BA (Ec) outlines some of the key leadership insights from her second book ‘Workplace Culture and the NDIS,’ which adopts a marketer’s approach to organisational change. Drawing from her own first hand experience, she will cover the steps for reinvigorating your workplace culture based on building an authentic, living brand.

Click here for more information and to register.

Thursday 20th and Friday 21st February 2020 | 8:45am – 4:30pm | Manning Valley Visitor Information Centre

LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) aims to enhance a caregiver’s abilities to help a person at risk avoid suicide. Participants learn to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide and respond in ways that help increase their immediate safety and link them to help.

Find out more here | Book online here

24th and 25th February 2020 | 9:00am – 5:00pm | Bellingen Valley Lodge

DV-alert training builds the knowledge and capacity of community workers to provide appropriate support to women and their children who may be experiencing domestic violence.

Participants who successfully complete the training and assessment will receive a Statement of Attainment. Find out more about the benefits at dvalert.org.au

Read the flyer here | Apply here

January – March 2020

A full list of all the latest nationally-accredited training and leisure courses at the Coffs Coast Community College.

Click here for the flyer | Click here for the registration form

27th and 28th February 2020 | Novotel, North Wollongong

Registrations are filling fast so don’t miss out on a fantastic 2-days of showcasing NSW good practice and discussing how we can all work together to end homelessness.
The draft conference program is NOW available so you can see exactly how exciting the conference will be!

The draft Program includes:

• Presentations by leading Australian homelessness academics including Associate Professor Cameron Parsell, Dr Sharon Parkinson, Professor Kristy Muir, Dr Cal Andrews and Dr Kylie Cripps
• An address by Minister Gareth Ward
• Discussions on:
  • hidden homelessness including a focus on poverty, rural areas, young people, people leaving prison, boarding houses and Aboriginal women
  • the Premier’s Priority on Rough Sleeping, the Institute of Global Homelessness Initiative and good practice approaches to ending rough sleeping
  • ending Aboriginal homelessness with leading Aboriginal workers in the sector
  • climate change and homelessness led by Prof Kristy Muir and including input from homelessness services in flood and fire-affected areas
• Concurrent workshop discussions on Housing First, the NDIS, Local Government, LGBTQI homelessness, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, young people, domestic and family violence and older women. This includes presentations from organisations implementing NSW Homelessness Strategy initiatives (universal screening tool, Foyer model) and undertaking innovative work in these spaces.
• A conference dinner sponsored by Housing Plus that includes presentation of the SHS good practice awards.

There are still some sessions available for sponsorship – please contact Katherine if you are interested, on (02) 8354 7605 or 0425 288 446

Wednesday 4th March 2020 | Novotel, North Wollongong

Do you want to understand the initial signs of domestic and family violence, and know how to respond appropriately and refer the case if necessary? The DV-alert program offers various awareness sessions – aimed at laying the foundations to understanding and responding to domestic and family violence.

Register Here

For more information please see flyer here or visit the website here.

Tuesday, 18th February 2020 | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour

A half-day alertness workshop that prepares anyone to become a suicide alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive. safeTALK-trained helpers can recognize these invitations and take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources, such as caregivers trained in ASIST.

Coffs Harbour 18th February – register here.

For more information please see flyer here.

Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation, provides targeted research, and specialist housing, services and support for Australians impacted by brain injury and disability.

On the Mid North Coast we focus on providing in hospital support to people impacted by brain injury. We work with families and individuals to assist to transition them into the community, to access supports and processes which would otherwise seem overwhelming. We also provide information and support to community organisations who come across a client that they feel may benefit from our support. We also offer support groups monthly to people impacted by brain injury. Our organisation is not for profit and we don’t charge for our liaison services.

Synapse also offers Support Coordination on the Mid North Coast – focusing on brain injury however we welcome all participants.

For more information please visit our website here. 

Thursday, 20th February 2020 | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour

This event is free for unpaid family carers. A day to support you in your caring role, to learn new information, connect with others with the same experience, and to talk to support organisations.

This is a registered-only event. Please register online here. 

Read the flyer here. 

The Industry Partnership is running the Good Practice Awards again and it would be great if you could circulate this information and consider nominating staff and/or colleagues. The process has been simplified so it shouldn’t take long – and it would be great to have a diversity of workers being recognised.
Applications close on 31 January.

Good Practice Awards
The Industry Partnership is currently seeking nominations for the 2019/20 Good Practice Awards.
Recent months have been especially challenging for our sector, particularly because of the devastating effect the drought and fires are having on so many communities. There is an even greater need to celebrate the excellent work achieved within the sector despite the trying circumstances.

The Awards provide us with an opportunity to enjoy some good news and share a positive night. Make your peers feel appreciated, nominate them!
Categories include:
– Excellence in ending homelessness ─ adults
– Excellence in ending homelessness ─ domestic and family violence
– Excellence in ending homelessness ─ groups with specific needs (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, CALD, LGBTI+)
– Excellence in ending homelessness ─ young people
– Leading Aboriginal practitioner award
– Leading practitioner award
– Consumer achievement award
– Lifetime achievement award

Nominate by clicking here!

The form is quick and simple. You only will need to provide the name of the person/organisation/program/activity/partnership you are nominating and a 1-2 paragraph summary describing why this nominee deserves the award.
Further details: sectorsupport@homelessnessnsw.org.au

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program 2019-2020 Bi-Annual One-off Grant Opportunity – Second Approach is a targeted, competitive application process.

NATSIFAC Program service providers can apply for grant funding to address a clearly identified need that supports the delivery of aged care services. Service providers in remote and very remote Australia (geographical locations defined as Modified Monash Model 6 and 7) will be prioritised.

Invitation to apply

Eligible applicants currently funded under the NATSIFAC Program to deliver aged care services are invited to apply for the Grant Opportunity:

• to purchase and replace equipment
• for staff training
• for minor building upgrades
• for the construction of staff accommodation.

For the purpose of the Grant Opportunity, staff accommodation is defined as essential to the delivery of aged care services and to house aged care staff only.

The Grant Opportunity opened on Thursday 16 January 2020. All applications must be received by the department by 2:00pm, Thursday 12 March 2020.

For information and access to the application form, please visit the GrantConnect website.

As an approved provider you have an important role to ensure that care recipients continue to receive quality care during and after emergency events by being well prepared for any events that might impact your service. Providers are required under the Aged Care Act 1997 to continue to maintain quality care and services to care recipients.

Home Care Packages providers are required to have plans in place for the management of emergency events.  After an emergency event you should:

• when safe, provide advice to the department in your state about the impact of the event on your service and care recipients, including alternative arrangements put in place
• keep staff, volunteers and care recipients well informed during an emergency situation
• assess the impact of the event on your service and care recipients and take steps to recommence all services as soon as possible
• liaise with and request assistance as required from local agencies providing recovery and other relevant services
• review and amend your risk management plans, as needed.

Given the significant bushfires in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, the department may contact services in affected areas to:

• determine the impact of the bushfires on delivery of your service, and if any additional assistance required is being arranged for your care recipients
• ask if your service can support any additional care recipients from other providers who are unable to continue to deliver services.

Further information about managing an emergency event, including a checklist, is available on the department’s website.

The department can help with information on local vacancies and resources to manage an emergency or service delivery issues.  Please contact the department in your state on:

New South Wales / ACT – 1800 852 649
Victoria / Tasmania – 1800 078 709
South Australia – 1800 288 475

Wednesday, 12th February 2020 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm | ACT, NSW, VIC & TAS

This webinar will provide an update on the development of new aged care assessment arrangements and address common themes arising from stakeholder questions during the December 2019 webinar.

The new arrangements will start in April 2021, providing a streamlined process for consumers to access aged care services.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the new arrangements from representatives from the Department of Health.

The department acknowledges that recipients of this email may have been affected by recent bush fires and unable to participate in the live webinar. The webinar will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing on the department’s website.

A link will be provided closer to webinar date.

All current aged care website content will move to the department’s new site – health.gov.au – late on 22 January 2020. The new aged care content is directed at our workforce, including assessors, providers and health professionals. My Aged Care remains our primary source of information for consumers.

Health’s new website launched in July 2019, following a comprehensive engagement process with stakeholders. Transitioning aged care content to health.gov.au will improve the experience of all users through:

• more intuitive navigation
• a comprehensive search function
• content is written in plain English
• better analytics to help us understand users and continue to respond to their needs.

How does this affect you?

• After Wednesday 22 January we will redirect all old URLs to their equivalent ones on health.gov.au to minimise the impact on users who access the site via bookmarks, links or search engines.
• In mid-2020, the old site will be decommissioned and a broad brush redirect will be applied from agedcare.health.gov.au to health.gov.au/aged-care.
• Please note that saved links to documents on the old site – as opposed to pages – won’t work after 22 January.

What do you need to do?

From 23 January, and over the next few weeks, search the new website to find the content you want to link to and update your links.

The website is a work in progress, use this form to provide feedback on how we can continue to improve the website.

A new online form is available on the My Aged Care website that allows consumers or someone acting on their behalf to:

• register with My Aged Care
• apply for their first assessment online.

The form can be completed in their own time as an alternative to calling the My Aged Care contact centre.

Visit the My Aged Care website for information about how consumers can now apply for an assessment.

This new functionality will be continuously improved. Please encourage consumers to provide feedback via the survey or Contact us page of the My Aged Care website.

Sector professionals must continue to use the existing ways of making a referral including:

• the make a referral form
• phone
• fax

GPs with Medical Director, Best Practice or Genie Practice management systems are encouraged to use the new pre-populating e-referral form.

This is part of a series of recent updates to the My Aged Care website which also includes:

• enhanced compare functionality in the ‘Find a Provider’ tool
• improvements to site search to ensure search result relevance
• print-friendliness of all website pages
• reduced duplication of home care packages provider entries in the ‘Find a provider’ functionality tool
• drop-down menus for ease of navigation

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is offering new training on assessment against the standards in 2020.

The workshop includes practical activities designed to help participants prepare for performance assessment, use the Commission’s self-assessment tool and understand the processes that are undertaken by the Commission during performance assessments.

Click here for more information and to register.

Create NSW Arts and Cultural Funding Program 2019/20 provides funding opportunities for arts and cultural organisations, professional artists and arts/cultural workers across a wide range of art forms and disciplines to access one-off and ongoing funding. There are a number of funding opportunities currently open. Funding guidelines are available for Project funding, Creative Koori Project funding, Annual Organisation funding, Multi-Year funding for Independent Arts & Cultural Organisations and Local Government Authorities (LGA) Arts & Cultural Programs, Small Project Grants (Quick Response) and Fellowships. Click here for more information and to apply.

This ACCAN Grants round is open for applications from 28 January – 25 February 2020, for projects running July 2020 – May 2022. Up to $100,000 can be requested for research, representation, or education projects that address issues for telecommunications consumers in Australia.

For more information and to apply click here.

Australian Childhood Foundation CEO, Joe Tucci, wrote a great article about the needs of children affected by the bushfires. To read it, click here.

There’s also now a poster or handout that could be used with families for support. It offers simple messages that parents and carers can give children to support them in response to the bushfires. Click here for the poster.

Warrina is currently advertising for two positions:

• Specialist Homelessness Services Coordinator
• ‘Breaking Free’ Case Worker

Please click here for details.

Thursday, 27th February 2020 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm | Official Ceremony at 4:00pm | 2 / 222 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour

Come and check out our new location, everyone’s welcome! Enjoy free food, drinks, art and crafts, music, competitions and more!
Prizes and gift vouchers supplied by Chalkies.

See the flyer here.

Every second Thursday 2020 | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Bellingen Senior Citizens Centre 

Come and talk with a Local Area Coordinator from the NDIS about our services and how we can help you.

For further information call 1800 522 679 | Read the flyer here

Tuesday, 18th and Wednesday 19th February 2020 | Angourie Rainforest Resort, Yamba

Revisiting Aboriginal Wellbeing – a Celebration of Regional Partnerships will bring you practical stories of a growing community of non-Aboriginal and local Aboriginal communities working in partnership to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people living on the northern coast of NSW.

Hurry! Early bird prices end 31st January 2020. Want to learn more?
Contact Bronwyn Thirkell via email: coordinator@thecentrehki.com.au or phone: 0437 027 751.

Download the program here | Register here

Sunday, 16th February 2020 | 8:00am – 2:00pm | Harbourside Markets, Jetty Foreshore, Coffs Harbour 

The ‘Seniors Celebration Market Day 2020’ is a themed market event providing fun, entertainment and workshops with a seniors focus. A special invitation to our multicultural community and to seniors with disabilities.

The festival will run in conjunction with the regular Sunday offerings at Harbourside Markets, an established local weekly makers and growers market situated alongside historic Coffs Harbour jetty.

Activities presented on the day include:

• ‘The cup of gratitude’ free refreshments prepared by the local CWA and served by SSI and our multi-cultural community.
• Pop Up Elton John Choir with Stephanie Sims
• Seniors Fashion Parade
• Seniors Open Mic Performance
• Senior Pamper Tent with hand massages
• Seniors playtime with an adult jumping castle, adult cycle ponies, hula hooping, face painting
• Games Tent with Mahjong, chess and scrabble
• Workshops

Workshops:

• Painting Workshop
• Make-your-own Elton Glasses
• All Abilities Choir Workshop and performance

Wheelchair friendly / Undercover seating provided

Musical performances and onstage entertainment on the day will be tailored to appeal to and showcase a seniors audience.

The Facebook event for the listing is here. See the flyer here.

HIPPY is a free two-year program that supports parents and carers to help children make a successful transition to school and beyond. HIPPY is designed to fit in around daily family life. Parents are asked to spend 10-15 minutes a day doing fun educational activities with their child, while a trained HIPPY tutor will meet with families at home each week or fortnight to practice the HIPPY activities.

For more information contact the Samaritans Community Hub, Kempsey on (02) 6562 3705.

Read the flyer here. 

Lifeline offers free and confidential face-to-face counselling for problem gamblers and their friends and families.

Free financial counselling is also offered.

For more information please contact Vince Jensen on (02) 6651 4093 or visit the website here. 

Monday, 27th April 2020 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm | C.ex Club, Coffs Harbour 

In this dynamic 90-minute seminar, renowned psychologist Jocelyn Brewer will help parents and carers understand aspects of technology, app and video game design that prove to be so seductive (and perhaps even ‘addictive’) to young people and their still-developing brains.

A practical and positive framework for managing and communicating on such issues.

It’s free to attend but you need to register via Sticky Tickets here. See the flyer here.

From Monday, 3rd February to Thursday, 9th April 2020 | 10:00am – 12:00pm Drop-in sessions| Bowraville Community Health, 43 High Street, Bowraville

Weekly smoking cessation education group, providing support, education and information, including how to effectively use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and make an informed quit attempt, as well as linking to other Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) support services where needed.

See the flyer here.

Juumbiya Contacts:

Kelvin Jarrett: 0418 164 827 | Melinda Ricketts: 0419 963 005

Wednesday, 24th March 2020 | 9:00am – 1:00pm | Cex Club, Coffs Harbour 

Purpose:
To increase understanding of suicide bereavement and learn basic support skills

Topics covered:

• The StandBy Service Model
• Crisis, trauma and grief
• Support approaches and best practice
• Self-Care

Light refreshments provided (if you have specific dietary requirements please self-cater).

See the flyer here.

Eight consecutive Tuesdays, commencing Tuesday, 11th February 2020 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | Uniting Family Centre, 7 Maclean Street, Coffs Harbour 

Circle of Security is designed for parents and carers who would like to support their children to build secure relationships. This program is FREE to families with children.

Bookings are essential. Please call (02) 6659 2800 or email: unitingcoffsharbour@uniting.org to book or for information.

See the flyer here.

The NAIDOC annual poster comp is on again!

If you know any Aboriginal artists (of any age!) who want to go in for the chance to win $10,000 let them know.

The theme for NAIDOC this year is “Always Was, Always Will Be”.

Friday, 14th February 2020 | 10:00am – 12:00pm |

You are invited to a free information event for professionals only. Two keynote speakers. Please bring your agency’s advertising material to share with the group.

Find out more here | Register here

Monday, 10th February 2020 | 11:30 am – 1:30pm | C.ex Club, Coffs Harbour

Topic: Talking About Art Therapy

About the session: Art Therapy is client-centred, inclusive and outcome orientated. Art therapy helps
children, adolescents, and adults explore their emotions, improve self-esteem, manage
addictions, relieve stress, improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and cope with
physical illness or disability. Included in this session: Learn about art therapy and the history of it, a case study of art therapy at work and a
hands-on practical session using art.

Light refreshments will be served. Please register here.

Thursday, 27th February 2020 | 11:00am – 12:00pm AEDT 

It is culture that enables people to perform at their best and, in the face of two Royal Commissions, it is culture that must become the key business driver for disability and aged care providers. This requires a new kind of visible leadership. For many CEOs this will be an entirely new kind of role.

In this webinar, Fran Connelley BA (Ec) outlines some of the key leadership insights from her second book ‘Workplace Culture and the NDIS,’ which adopts a marketer’s approach to organisational change. Drawing from her own first hand experience, she will cover the steps for reinvigorating your workplace culture based on building an authentic, living brand.

Click here for more information and to register.

Thursday 20th and Friday 21st February 2020 | 8:45am – 4:30pm | Manning Valley Visitor Information Centre

LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) aims to enhance a caregiver’s abilities to help a person at risk avoid suicide. Participants learn to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide and respond in ways that help increase their immediate safety and link them to help.

Find out more here | Book online here

24th and 25th February 2020 | 9:00am – 5:00pm | Bellingen Valley Lodge

DV-alert training builds the knowledge and capacity of community workers to provide appropriate support to women and their children who may be experiencing domestic violence.

Participants who successfully complete the training and assessment will receive a Statement of Attainment. Find out more about the benefits at dvalert.org.au

Read the flyer here | Apply here

January – March 2020

A full list of all the latest nationally-accredited training and leisure courses at the Coffs Coast Community College.

Click here for the flyer | Click here for the registration form

27th and 28th February 2020 | Novotel, North Wollongong

Registrations are filling fast so don’t miss out on a fantastic 2-days of showcasing NSW good practice and discussing how we can all work together to end homelessness.
The draft conference program is NOW available so you can see exactly how exciting the conference will be!

The draft Program includes:

• Presentations by leading Australian homelessness academics including Associate Professor Cameron Parsell, Dr Sharon Parkinson, Professor Kristy Muir, Dr Cal Andrews and Dr Kylie Cripps
• An address by Minister Gareth Ward
• Discussions on:
  • hidden homelessness including a focus on poverty, rural areas, young people, people leaving prison, boarding houses and Aboriginal women
  • the Premier’s Priority on Rough Sleeping, the Institute of Global Homelessness Initiative and good practice approaches to ending rough sleeping
  • ending Aboriginal homelessness with leading Aboriginal workers in the sector
  • climate change and homelessness led by Prof Kristy Muir and including input from homelessness services in flood and fire-affected areas
• Concurrent workshop discussions on Housing First, the NDIS, Local Government, LGBTQI homelessness, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, young people, domestic and family violence and older women. This includes presentations from organisations implementing NSW Homelessness Strategy initiatives (universal screening tool, Foyer model) and undertaking innovative work in these spaces.
• A conference dinner sponsored by Housing Plus that includes presentation of the SHS good practice awards.

There are still some sessions available for sponsorship – please contact Katherine if you are interested, on (02) 8354 7605 or 0425 288 446

Wednesday 4th March 2020 | Novotel, North Wollongong

Do you want to understand the initial signs of domestic and family violence, and know how to respond appropriately and refer the case if necessary? The DV-alert program offers various awareness sessions – aimed at laying the foundations to understanding and responding to domestic and family violence.

Register Here

For more information please see flyer here or visit the website here.

Tuesday, 18th February 2020 | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour

A half-day alertness workshop that prepares anyone to become a suicide alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive. safeTALK-trained helpers can recognize these invitations and take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources, such as caregivers trained in ASIST.

Coffs Harbour 18th February – register here.

For more information please see flyer here.

Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation, provides targeted research, and specialist housing, services and support for Australians impacted by brain injury and disability.

On the Mid North Coast we focus on providing in hospital support to people impacted by brain injury. We work with families and individuals to assist to transition them into the community, to access supports and processes which would otherwise seem overwhelming. We also provide information and support to community organisations who come across a client that they feel may benefit from our support. We also offer support groups monthly to people impacted by brain injury. Our organisation is not for profit and we don’t charge for our liaison services.

Synapse also offers Support Coordination on the Mid North Coast – focusing on brain injury however we welcome all participants.

For more information please visit our website here. 

Thursday, 20th February 2020 | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour

This event is free for unpaid family carers. A day to support you in your caring role, to learn new information, connect with others with the same experience, and to talk to support organisations.

This is a registered-only event. Please register online here. 

Read the flyer here. 

The Industry Partnership is running the Good Practice Awards again and it would be great if you could circulate this information and consider nominating staff and/or colleagues. The process has been simplified so it shouldn’t take long – and it would be great to have a diversity of workers being recognised.
Applications close on 31 January.

Good Practice Awards
The Industry Partnership is currently seeking nominations for the 2019/20 Good Practice Awards.
Recent months have been especially challenging for our sector, particularly because of the devastating effect the drought and fires are having on so many communities. There is an even greater need to celebrate the excellent work achieved within the sector despite the trying circumstances.

The Awards provide us with an opportunity to enjoy some good news and share a positive night. Make your peers feel appreciated, nominate them!
Categories include:
– Excellence in ending homelessness ─ adults
– Excellence in ending homelessness ─ domestic and family violence
– Excellence in ending homelessness ─ groups with specific needs (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, CALD, LGBTI+)
– Excellence in ending homelessness ─ young people
– Leading Aboriginal practitioner award
– Leading practitioner award
– Consumer achievement award
– Lifetime achievement award

Nominate by clicking here!

The form is quick and simple. You only will need to provide the name of the person/organisation/program/activity/partnership you are nominating and a 1-2 paragraph summary describing why this nominee deserves the award.
Further details: sectorsupport@homelessnessnsw.org.au

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program 2019-2020 Bi-Annual One-off Grant Opportunity – Second Approach is a targeted, competitive application process.

NATSIFAC Program service providers can apply for grant funding to address a clearly identified need that supports the delivery of aged care services. Service providers in remote and very remote Australia (geographical locations defined as Modified Monash Model 6 and 7) will be prioritised.

Invitation to apply

Eligible applicants currently funded under the NATSIFAC Program to deliver aged care services are invited to apply for the Grant Opportunity:

• to purchase and replace equipment
• for staff training
• for minor building upgrades
• for the construction of staff accommodation.

For the purpose of the Grant Opportunity, staff accommodation is defined as essential to the delivery of aged care services and to house aged care staff only.

The Grant Opportunity opened on Thursday 16 January 2020. All applications must be received by the department by 2:00pm, Thursday 12 March 2020.

For information and access to the application form, please visit the GrantConnect website.

As an approved provider you have an important role to ensure that care recipients continue to receive quality care during and after emergency events by being well prepared for any events that might impact your service. Providers are required under the Aged Care Act 1997 to continue to maintain quality care and services to care recipients.

Home Care Packages providers are required to have plans in place for the management of emergency events.  After an emergency event you should:

• when safe, provide advice to the department in your state about the impact of the event on your service and care recipients, including alternative arrangements put in place
• keep staff, volunteers and care recipients well informed during an emergency situation
• assess the impact of the event on your service and care recipients and take steps to recommence all services as soon as possible
• liaise with and request assistance as required from local agencies providing recovery and other relevant services
• review and amend your risk management plans, as needed.

Given the significant bushfires in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, the department may contact services in affected areas to:

• determine the impact of the bushfires on delivery of your service, and if any additional assistance required is being arranged for your care recipients
• ask if your service can support any additional care recipients from other providers who are unable to continue to deliver services.

Further information about managing an emergency event, including a checklist, is available on the department’s website.

The department can help with information on local vacancies and resources to manage an emergency or service delivery issues.  Please contact the department in your state on:

New South Wales / ACT – 1800 852 649
Victoria / Tasmania – 1800 078 709
South Australia – 1800 288 475

Wednesday, 12th February 2020 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm | ACT, NSW, VIC & TAS

This webinar will provide an update on the development of new aged care assessment arrangements and address common themes arising from stakeholder questions during the December 2019 webinar.

The new arrangements will start in April 2021, providing a streamlined process for consumers to access aged care services.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the new arrangements from representatives from the Department of Health.

The department acknowledges that recipients of this email may have been affected by recent bush fires and unable to participate in the live webinar. The webinar will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing on the department’s website.

A link will be provided closer to webinar date.

All current aged care website content will move to the department’s new site – health.gov.au – late on 22 January 2020. The new aged care content is directed at our workforce, including assessors, providers and health professionals. My Aged Care remains our primary source of information for consumers.

Health’s new website launched in July 2019, following a comprehensive engagement process with stakeholders. Transitioning aged care content to health.gov.au will improve the experience of all users through:

• more intuitive navigation
• a comprehensive search function
• content is written in plain English
• better analytics to help us understand users and continue to respond to their needs.

How does this affect you?

• After Wednesday 22 January we will redirect all old URLs to their equivalent ones on health.gov.au to minimise the impact on users who access the site via bookmarks, links or search engines.
• In mid-2020, the old site will be decommissioned and a broad brush redirect will be applied from agedcare.health.gov.au to health.gov.au/aged-care.
• Please note that saved links to documents on the old site – as opposed to pages – won’t work after 22 January.

What do you need to do?

From 23 January, and over the next few weeks, search the new website to find the content you want to link to and update your links.

The website is a work in progress, use this form to provide feedback on how we can continue to improve the website.

A new online form is available on the My Aged Care website that allows consumers or someone acting on their behalf to:

• register with My Aged Care
• apply for their first assessment online.

The form can be completed in their own time as an alternative to calling the My Aged Care contact centre.

Visit the My Aged Care website for information about how consumers can now apply for an assessment.

This new functionality will be continuously improved. Please encourage consumers to provide feedback via the survey or Contact us page of the My Aged Care website.

Sector professionals must continue to use the existing ways of making a referral including:

• the make a referral form
• phone
• fax

GPs with Medical Director, Best Practice or Genie Practice management systems are encouraged to use the new pre-populating e-referral form.

This is part of a series of recent updates to the My Aged Care website which also includes:

• enhanced compare functionality in the ‘Find a Provider’ tool
• improvements to site search to ensure search result relevance
• print-friendliness of all website pages
• reduced duplication of home care packages provider entries in the ‘Find a provider’ functionality tool
• drop-down menus for ease of navigation

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is offering new training on assessment against the standards in 2020.

The workshop includes practical activities designed to help participants prepare for performance assessment, use the Commission’s self-assessment tool and understand the processes that are undertaken by the Commission during performance assessments.

Click here for more information and to register.

Create NSW Arts and Cultural Funding Program 2019/20 provides funding opportunities for arts and cultural organisations, professional artists and arts/cultural workers across a wide range of art forms and disciplines to access one-off and ongoing funding. There are a number of funding opportunities currently open. Funding guidelines are available for Project funding, Creative Koori Project funding, Annual Organisation funding, Multi-Year funding for Independent Arts & Cultural Organisations and Local Government Authorities (LGA) Arts & Cultural Programs, Small Project Grants (Quick Response) and Fellowships. Click here for more information and to apply.

This ACCAN Grants round is open for applications from 28 January – 25 February 2020, for projects running July 2020 – May 2022. Up to $100,000 can be requested for research, representation, or education projects that address issues for telecommunications consumers in Australia.

For more information and to apply click here.

Australian Childhood Foundation CEO, Joe Tucci, wrote a great article about the needs of children affected by the bushfires. To read it, click here.

There’s also now a poster or handout that could be used with families for support. It offers simple messages that parents and carers can give children to support them in response to the bushfires. Click here for the poster.

Warrina is currently advertising for two positions:

• Specialist Homelessness Services Coordinator
• ‘Breaking Free’ Case Worker

Please click here for details.