Family Services Bulletin - 29th May 2009
- Community Service Organisations Registration Update - May 2009
- The Standard Registration fee deadline has been extended to Friday 5th June for the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc - 2009 National Symposium "Resilient Families need Resilient Workers", Practice Policy and Research 22nd, 23rd and 24th June 2009 at the MCG Melbourne
- N&WMR Think Child Partnership Agreement Practitioner Forum
- Celebrate Refugee Week at DHS on Monday 15th June 2009
- Culturally Inclusive Health Assessments Workshop - Wednesday 17th June 2009
- The 9th Annual Homeless Memorial - Wednesday 17th June 2009
- Rural Change and Community Wellbeing forum to be held on Wednesday 24th June 2009
- VCOSS Congress 2009
- Australian Fatherhood Research Network: Bulletin 4 May 2009
Family Services Agencies News
Community Service Organisations Registration Update - May 2009
May 2009 Update for Community Service Organisations (CSO's) registered under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.
Community Service Organisations Registration Update - May 2009 [PDF 527kb]
The Standard Registration fee deadline has been extended to Friday 5th June for the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc - 2009 National Symposium "Resilient Families need Resilient Workers", Practice Policy and Research 22nd, 23rd and 24th June 2009 at the MCG Melbourne
"I commend this Symposium to you as policy makers, practice leaders and researchers into the future of our Family Services workforce. This is an opportunity to take part in an event that will shape the future of your workforce and how it delivers for the families that it supports." Kathy Robb, Manager Family Services, Children Youth and Families, DHS.
The Symposium from 22-24 June at Melbourne's MCG will draw on the experiences of those working with the nation's most complex and vulnerable families and communities as they negotiate the multiple challenges of mental health issues, disability, drug and alcohol issues and family violence. More than 60 notable national and international speakers will deliver the latest research and evidence-informed workplace practices, tackling issues such as the creation and retention of a healthy and resilient workforce that is equipped with the tools to help families facing these challenges.
As policy officers, you will hear about the changing needs within the Australian community from those who are witnessing it first hand. The symposium will address key issues such as the lessons to be learned from Indigenous families, how to create a more resilient and secure workforce, the emphasis on early intervention.
For Australia's human services sector to continue to thrive and adapt to emerging challenges, its government and policy makers need to engage those individuals and organisations who will be directly affected by its decisions. Don't miss this opportunity to play your part in ensuring Australia continues to share knowledge and communicate on a national level to meet the needs of its most vulnerable children and families.
Please find program attached for your information and consideration:
www.ResilientFamiliesSymposium.com.au
N&WMR Think Child Partnership Agreement Practitioner Forum
On 1 April 2009, practitioners from Family Violence Services, integrated Family Services/Child FIRST and Child Protection across the North and West Metropolitan region participated in a forum to inform the development of the Think Child Partnership Agreement. The forum provided an opportunity for the three sectors to come together to support a common approach to working in partnership to strengthen responses to children, victims of family violence and perpetrators of family violence.
The event was met with keen interest, with over 100 practitioners in attendance. The program included presentations by Ms Cathy Humprhreys, Professor of Child and Family Welfare, University of Melbourne and Ms Robyn Miller, Principal Practitioner, DHS Children, Youth and Families Division as well as a panel discussion of a hypothetical case study that involved managers, team leaders and practitioners from the three service sectors, a family violence lawyer Women's Refuge sector, and Victoria Police.
Outcomes from this forum will inform the work plan for 2009 being undertaken by the N&MR Think Child Partnership Agreement working group. The work plan will cover the major focus areas of shared vision and partnership principles; joint practice approaches; coordinated service system entry points; dispute resolution and review processes, tailored to reflect local conditions, working relationships and services. It is anticipated that the Think Child Partnership Agreement will be completed by December 2009.
For more information, contact Sandra D'Amore, Program and Service Advisor, N&WMR, Ph: 03) 9412 2602
Celebrate Refugee Week at DHS on Monday 15th June 2009
Refugee Week has been celebrated in Australia since the 1980s. In 2009, Refugee Week will begin on June 14 and end with World Refugee Day on 20 June. This year's national theme is Freedom from Fear. Fear of persecution and fear for their own lives makes refugees different from every other migrant coming to Australia. In seeking refuge in another country refugees are hoping to find freedom. They are looking for the opportunity to lead a normal life, as part of a community, where they can live in safety, find work and send their children to school.
Some of the aims of Refugee Week include:
- to educate us about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia
- to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia
- for service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees.
DHS is celebrating Refugee Week with an expert panel discussion of caring for children and young people
When: Monday 15 June 2009 11.45 (for a 12.00 start) to 1.00pm including a light lunch
Where: Department of Human Services, Rooms 2.18-2.20, Level 2, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Who: We have three presenters, each expert in the care of children &young people from refugee backgrounds in Victoria:
- Ida Kaplan , Manager Direct Services team Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
- Carmel Guerra, Director Centre for Multicultural Youth
- Diana Orlando , Manager Refugee Minor Program here at DHS
Videoconferencing: Unfortunately the available venue this year does not have videoconferencing facilities
RSVP: Places are limited so be quick! RSVP to diversity@dhs.vic.gov.au.
We will confirm with you by email.
The three speakers will discuss responding to the health and wellbeing concerns of children and young people from refugee backgrounds in Victoria via a dynamic panel discussion, with questions and comments from the audience.
For more information about Refugee Week, visit the Refugee Council of Australia website at www.refugeecouncil.org.au under News and Events.
Culturally Inclusive Health Assessments Workshop - Wednesday 17th June 2009
This workshop is presented by The Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Health and it is designed to enable participants to develop the appropriate skills and knowledge to conduct culturally appropriate and inclusive health assessment when working with clients from CALD backgrounds.
Please find attached the promotional flyer with all details, as well as a registration form.
Flyer - Culturally Inclusive Health Assessments Workshop - Wednesday 17th June 2009 [PDF 140kb]
The 9th Annual Homeless Memorial
To remember those who have died whilst homeless or because of homelessness. The Annual Homeless Memorial Service will give a chance to share memories, food and listen to music.
Flyer - Homeless Memorial 2009 [PDF 113kb]
History of the Homeless Memorial [PDF 57kb]
Rural Change and Community Wellbeing forum to be held on Wednesday 24th June 2009
The Department of Human Services is holding an all day forum, "Rural change and community wellbeing" on Wednesday 24th June 2009.
The forum is part of the Sustaining Community Wellbeing strategy, which aims to help rural communities develop sustainable strategies to deal with the long term impacts of drought and rural change.
Attached is the flyer for the forum. Information on the forum and how to register can also be found at www.health.vic.gov.au/pcps/hp/events.htm.
Flyer -Rural Change and Community Wellbeing forum [PDF 45kb]
VCOSS Congress 2009
Early Bird registrations for VCOSS Congress 2009 have now opened www.vcoss.org.au.
Congress will be held on Thursday 6 August and Friday 7 August at the RACV Club, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne.
This year's congress Protecting Social Equity When the Going Gets Tough will explore the challenges and opportunities for promoting social equity during the economic downturn.
Featuring Clare Martin, ACOSS CEO and former Northern Territory Chief Minister, and Julia Unwin, Chief Executive Officer of the UK's Joseph Rowntree Foundation, congress will bring together government and non-for-profit policy-makers, community sector leaders, academics and philanthropists.
Registration forms must be returned to VCOSS by 17 June 2009 to guarantee Early Bird rates.
Australian Fatherhood Research Network - Bulletin 4 May 2009
The Bulletin is produced on behalf of the AFRN Steering Group Professor Trevor Cairney, University of New South Wales, Dr Richard Fletcher, University of Newcastle, Professor Ilan Katz, University of New South Wales, Professor Bruce Maycock, Curtin University of Technology, Ms Sam Page, Family Relationships Australia, A/Professor Campbell Paul, Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria.
Australian Fatherhood Research Network - Bulletin 4 May 2009 [PDF 44kb]
IRIS News
IRIS Training Calendar - June to July 2009
IRIS Training Calendar - June to July 2009 [PDF 54kb]
Regards from the
Family Services Team