Family Services Bulletin - 26th June 2009

In this edition:

• Welcome Karen Mapleston to Family & Early Parenting Services
• Len Tierney Lecture with Naomi Eisenstadt
• VCOSS Congress 2009
• FaPMI (Families Where a Parent has a Mental Illness) Website
• "Mind the Baby" Forum - Monday 27th July 2009 at RCH
• CSO Registration Update - preparing for your external review

Welcome Karen Mapleston to Family & Early Parenting Services

We are very pleased to welcome Karen Mapleston to the team as Acting Manager, Family and Early Parenting Services. Karen first started in DHS in 1995 as a solicitor in the Court Advocacy Unit. She managed this unit for some years before coming into head office, initially managing Legal Projects within this branch, then the policy and practice unit. She has recently returned to the branch after working in Mental Health on their legislative proposals. Karen's experience in the branch will inform and provide valuable background for her new position.

Len Tierney Lecture with Naomi Eisenstadt

"From pre-pregnancy to old age" ensuring early intervention reaches the most in need"

Len Tierney Lecture with Naomi Eisenstadt [PDF 108kb]

Please contact on Jess Scott on 8344 9433 for further information .

VCOSS Congress 2009

Early Bird registrations for VCOSS Congress 2009 have now opened.

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.

FaPMI (Families Where a Parent has a Mental Illness) Website

The new FaPMI Website provides lots of useful information:

• News & Updates from FaPMI Coordinators
• The FaPMI Service Development Strategy
• Who is FaPMI?
• History of FaPMI
• Programs & Services
• Information for children, young people & families
• Training & Professional Development
• Resources, Phone numbers & Links

and can be accessed on the following site www.bouverie.org.au.

Please note that this website is still in development.

"Mind the Baby" Forum - Monday 27th July 2009 at RCH

The RCH AFVP Peek-a-Boo Club is planning a very special professional development event. This is a forum to share different ways of working with vulnerable infants and their families as well as allow meaningful discussion amongst health and community services providers currently working with this important client group.

Flyer - "Mind the Baby" Forum [PDF 42kb]

Please contact Susannah Duncan on 9312 7204 for more information.

CSO Registration Update - preparing for your external review

Please find attached the June CSO Registration Update which includes a series of Q&A to assist agencies prepare for an external review

CSO Registration Update - preparing for your external review [PDF 851kb]

Please contact Ines Muscella on 9096 5361 for more information.