NRSDC

NRSDC July 2009 Newsletter

Subject:

NRSDC July 2009 Newsletter

Send date:

2009-07-01 06:07:32

Issue #:

25

Content:



July 2009 Newsletter


News Topics:
Conferences & Event	Reports & Information	Funding
Training & Workshops	Positions Vacant	Housing News
HACC News	Transport News	Youth News
NSW State Budget - A Generous Serve of Disappointment While the State Budget dinner plate contained a few morsels of good news, it was mostly filled with generous serves of dissapointment. While many of us have become complacent on budget diets high in bad news, we can avoid becoming the biggest losers...again! Overall there was a failure to properly invest in community development or preventative services that keep communities out of crisis. NRSDC is particularly disappointed that the Government again failed to provide growth funding for the Community Services Grants Program (CSGP). The CSGP supports a wide range of programs including neighbourhood centres, family support services and youth services. So what do we do about it? Keep lobbying. Over the last year, there has been a growing campaign to increase funding for the CSGP. This will intensify in the lead up to the State Election. If we up keep the pressure we will win this battle with lasting benefits for communities across the state. For ways on how you can be involved in the CSGP campaign and for more budget analysis, click the following link. Read more... Toward Motherhood - Preparing for the transition Are you expecting? The Bonding with Baby team is presenting 2 free information sessions, starting 3 August, 2009, to help NEW & EXPECTANT MUMS prepare emotionally for those first steps towards motherhood. Sessions will be presented by Psychologist & Mother Annabel McLisky in an informal and interactive atmosphere with the aim of promoting your wellbeing as a Mum and giving baby the best possible start in life. Come and join us for one or both sessions, meet other expectant & new Mums and enjoy some time out just for you as you prepare for your new role. Mums with babies under 3 months also welcome. Read more... Inclusive Futures: Visions for Student Equity in Higher Education A One-Day Symposium, 9am - 3pm Friday, 17th July 2009, Invercauld House, Southern Cross University, Lismore. Keynote speaker: Professor Trevor Gale (Director, National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education, University of South Australia). Come and join fellow students, staff and community members for an exciting day of lively discussions, intellectual exchange and sharing of experiences around principles of equity, inclusiveness and social justice. The symposium will provide opportunities to hear from students, teachers and scholars about the pressing challenges and potential solutions for creating more equitable, inclusive higher education institutions. Open to all interested people Read more... Australian Social Policy Conference 2009 An Inclusive Society? Practicalities and Possibilities. 8-10 July, University of New South Wales. At a time of global economic insecurity, exacerbated by the challenges of climate change, how do we create a society that is both socially and economically inclusive within its own borders and actively engaged with its regional neighbours to promote a wider form of global inclusiveness? Current realities, possibilities and the practical challenges involved in meeting these goals will be discussed at the ASPC 2009. For more information click this link: www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/ASPC2009 Read more... He Drove me Mad Website A website has also been launched that provides online support for women who have mental health or drug and alcohol problems as a result of domestic violence. Even though this is a New Zealand website it is available for women in Australia. Please see weblink below for further information: He Drove Me Mad Read more... Women Getting into Boards Survey The Australian virtual Centre for Leadershipfor Women (CLW) is inviting women from Australia and other countries to complete a Women Getting into Boards Survey which aims to explore the problems women experience getting into Boards on public and private organisations and the resources needed to enable women to succeed in attaining board positions. Read more... Fraud prevention in NFP organisations Fraud can have significant consequences on a not for profit organisation. This can include damage to the organisation's name, loss of revenue or even the ceasing of operations of the organisation. All not for profit organisations, no matter what their size, need to implement policies, procedures and controls that are appropriate to their own organisation. More information: Fraud in NFP – Blog: http://lisabundesen.blogspot.com Read more... Relationship matters: not for profit community organisations and corporate community investment This report provides detailed research about the state of relationships between business and the not-for profit sector and is published by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Click here to download. Read more... ANZ's Regional and Rural Quarterly - June 2009 The latest edition of ANZ's Regional and Rural Quarterly has been published. This publication provides an assessment of Australia's regional economies and also features region-by-region statistics on population growth, employment, taxable income, farm debt and equity, building approvals and the value of rural land holdings. Click here to download the report. Read more... Men,Tools and Machinery Wanted Murwillumbah Men’s Shed is on the lookout for any tools and machinery that is no longer needed and Men to fill the Shed to start up a scheme where men can meet socially, share skills and work on projects to benefit others. The shed is near Murwillumbah with three-phase power to operate machinery. Can you help? Meetings are every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6:30pm at Murwillumbah Services Club. Please contact Phil Davison on 02-66791259 or Mob 0403 740 032 if you have any tools or machinery to donate and/or would like to attend the meeting. Read more... 2009 Community Sector Survey - National Report The 2009 Community Sector Survey National Report is now available from the ACOSS website www.acoss.org.au. The report analyses data provided by 556 respondents to provide a national snapshot of the community and welfare sector. Please contact your state or territory Council of Social Service for copies of state & territory reports for New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory. Unfortunately, we were not able to produce reports for all states and territories due to the low number of responses in some jurisdictions. Read more... Enhancing not-for-profit annual and financial reporting This report, "The Essential Tools for Transparent Reporting", from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICCA) provides a handy list of recommendations to help community groups improve their financial and annual reporting. It looks at ways groups can ensure their general financial reporting is transparent and of the highest quality and provides guidance on how to show “effective financial and strategic leadership” in the current economic climate. The report is now available. Read more... Training Audit Questionnaire - Domestic and Family Violence Strategic Framework The NSW Government is currently developing a Domestic and Family Violence Strategic Framework. As workforce training will be an integral element of the new framework, it is necessary to undertake an audit process to map current training provision and to highlight workforce development gaps in the health/human services, legal/justice system and community services sectors. Read more... Scholarships For Non Government Organisations For the second year, the NSW Government is offering five scholarships in the Graduate Diploma in Public Administration, each to the value of $25,380, as part of an initiative to support workforce capacity building in the non-government sector. Read more... NORTEC Community Grants Initiative NORTEC Community Grants Initiative provides $25,000 to aid community organisations in the mid to far north coast of NSW. Are you a Not for Profit community organisation based in the mid to far north coast of NSW? Then you may be eligible to apply for a share of the NORTEC Community Grants Initiative worth $25,000. Applications close 4.00pm Friday 24th July 2009. Click here to view the application form. Read more... Caring for Ageing in Rural Australia Applications close 24 August 2009. The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal works on behalf of the J.O and J.R Wicking Trust to fund worthwhile projects that support ageing in rural and regional Australia. Not-for-profit organisations can apply for projects and activities that directly benefit the ageing population in their community, and projects that help redress disadvantage caused by remoteness. For more information, click here. Read more... DonorTec The DonorTec program is provided by Connecting Up Australia in partnership with TechSoup to provide donated technology to non profit organisations in Australia.For more information: www.donortec.com.au/about-donortec Read more... Ensure Team Effectiveness Lismore 1 October, Tweed 23 October, 30 October. This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to facilitate all aspects of teamwork within the organisation. It involves taking a leadership role in the development of team plans, leading and facilitating teamwork and actively engaging with the management of the organisation. At the end of this unit learners should have the skills and knowledge required to facilitate all aspects of teamwork within the organisation: establish team performance plans, develop and facilitate team cohesion, facilitate teamwork, and liaise with stakeholders. Read more... Provide leadership in the workplace Lismore 10 September, Tweed 18 September, 18 September. This unit is relevant to roles which have an important leadership role in an organisation. This will be evident in the way you work with teams and individuals, your standard of conduct and the initiative you take in infl uencing others. he skills involved are around working with complex tasks and scenarios that require diverse methods and procedures, and the use of considerable discretion and judgement. You will also be using a range of problem solving and decision making strategies. Read more... Analyse & present research information Lismore 13 August, Tweed 21 August, Coffs Harbour 21 August. In this unit you will develop the skills and knowledge required to gather, organise and present workplace information using available systems. You will look at the methods of collecting information and using business technology to access, organise and monitor information. Learn to use reliable methods of data analysis that are suitable to research purposes. Present recommendations and issues in an appropriate format, style and structure using suitable business technology. Read more... Taking Care of Yourself When Working in Human Services Stress is a common factor for many people in the workforce. Working in human services means dealing with particular stressors distinct from other fields. This workshop raises awareness of these stressors, how we react and how to manage them. Rowlands Consulting is running this workshop on Tuesday 28th July 2009, Lismore Worker’s Club, 231 Keen St, Lismore, 9am – 4pm. $137.50 (GST inclusive) per person. Lunch provided. Registrations by 20th July 2009 Read more... Associations Incorporation Act 2009 The Associations Incorporation Act 2009 was recently passed by State Parliament introducing changes to modernise the law, reduce red tape and allow more flexibility for associations - it is anticipated to come into effect in late 2009. The Office of Fair Trading will conduct an education and information campaign later in the year, but the main changes are now available - click here to view. Read more... Creating Emotional Competency Tuesday 14 July 2009: 10am to 3pm, St Carthages Community Care, Goonellabah. For workers dealing with the impacts of negative emotions in young people. "This training gives participants a practical understanding of how the brain functions and how it creates new neural pathways every day with the opportunity to strengthen the positive and delete the negative. Participants will learn how to deal with emotional outbursts so they can assist in the processing of client's traumatic experiences. Read more... KidzMore Klub is now taking referrals for term 3 KidzMore Klub is a 7 week group program run by Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services for children who have experienced domestic / family violence situation in the past , but are no longer living in that situation. KidzMore Klub is a closed group and will consist of 2 Facilitators and a maximum of 8 children. The purpose of the group is to provide children an opportunity to meet and share with other children who may have had similar experiences in a safe environment. Read more... Creative Kidz Group - Reaching Hearts through Creative Arts & Play Creative Kidz is a support group for children under 5 years old and their mothers who have experienced domestic/ family violence. The group aims to rebuild relationships and help children recover from their experiences, using creative arts, crafts, play and activities to enable children to express their feelings in a safe way. When: Monday mornings (school term) 10am - 12noon; Where: - Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services. Morning tea provided. For more information or referral please contact Eva on 6621 2685 or childsupport@lwcr.com.au. Via referral only Read more... Online Employment Vacancies Jobs in the social and community services sector are also advertised on the following websites:

Habitat For Humanity - Help Needed to Build/Renovate Homes. If you would like to find out more about Habitat for Humanity come along to an information night at the Lismore Workers Club at 7pm on 20 July. “ ….Habitat for Humanity is a not-for profit housing organisation that builds and renovates simple, safe, decent, affordable homes in partnership with low-income families in need. If you are interested in finding out more, or would like to volunteer on a build, contact Habitat for Humanity Australia Inc. on 19800 885599, via email at info@habitat.org.au or visit www.habitat.org.au” Read more... Known Territory: A Study of Homelessness and Marginalisation in Katoomba This report examines homelessness and socio-economic disadvantage within the context of the urban-rural nexus of Katoomba. Featuring in-depth interviews with people experiencing homelessness in the region, the Known Territory report gives voice to those who may not otherwise be heard. While not covering the Northern Rivers region (which has 15% of the States rough sleeper population), the issues raised by the report are all too familiar. To download Known Territory, please click here: Known Territory Read more... Inquiry into Homelessness Legislation The Federal Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek has announced that the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth will hold an inquiry into homelessness legislation. This is the new legislation which will replace the Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994 and is intended to improve services and support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Submissions addressing the terms of reference are being sought by the committee by Friday 14 August 2009. Terms of reference and Committee guidance for making submissions can be found here. Read more... Public comment invited on the Housing NSW Draft Disability Action Plan 2009 -2013 The Housing NSW Draft Disability Action Plan 2009 - 2013 (PDF file, 725 KB) identifies the key priortities and commitments of Housing NSW to meet the needs of people with a disability including our staff, our clients and the communities we work in. The Draft Action Plan was developed following extensive consultation and input by a broad range of stakeholders including public housing tenants, NGO peak bodies, the Housing NSW Disability Reference Group and other government agencies. Final public comment is now invited on this plan, you can do this by emailing: cheryl.prosser@housing.nsw.gov.au by no later than Friday 26 June 2009. Read more... Carers and Self-Directed Funding The NSW Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care is holding a focus group in Lismore, 16 July 2009, 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm to speak with carers about self-directed funding. Focus groups are being held over the next month across the state, and more respondents are needed to participate. Attendees must receive DADHC services directly or through an NGO service. They will also be paid to attend and can be reimbursed for travel costs.To be a part of the focus group contact Wendy Wride from The Allen Consulting Group on 02 8272 5100 or email wwride@allenconsult.com.au. Read more... Residential Aged Care in Australia 2007-2008 A Statistical Overview The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released a new report - Residential aged care in Australia 2007-08: a statistical overview. The report provides comprehensive statistical informationon the 2,080 residential aged care homes and their 160,250 residents at 30 June 2008. The report contains information on the capacity of residential aged care homes, their residents and resident characteristics, levels of dependency among residents, and admissions and separations. The year is particularly significantwith the change over from the Resident Classification Scale to the Aged CareFunding Instrument for the appraisal and funding of residents. Click here to view the report (589kb .pdf). Read more... Senate Standing Committee Report into Residential and Community Aged Care In October 2008, the Senate referred to the Finance and Public Administration Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day of April 2009: The funding, planning, allocation, capital and equity of residential and community aged care in Australia. The inquiry was advertised in The Australian and through the Internet. The committee invited submission from the Commonwealth Government and interested organisations and individuals. The committee received 121 public and 4 confidential submissions. Click here to download the Report. Read more... Dementia Collaborative Research Centre Roadshow - Ballina TheFNC Dementia Outreach Service are very pleased to announce that The Dementia Collaborative Research Centre will be coming to the Far North Coast to hold a Roadshow over viewing some of their great research initiatives on Friday 31st July. Details are on the flyer. Read more... Australian Transport Statistics Yearbook 2009 The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government assists the Australian Government to promote, evaluate, plan and invest in infrastructure; fosters an efficient, sustainable, competitive, safe and secure transport system; and assists regions and local government to develop and manage their futures. These goals cannot be achieved without ready reference to a wide range of up-to-date statistics. The main aim of this publication is to provide a single comprehensive annual source of Australian transport statistics for use by policymakers, industry leaders, transport analysts and the wider Australian community. Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Australian Transport Statistics Yearbook 2009 (4.11 MB) An Overview of Anti-Speeding Campaign The report describes 45 anti-speeding campaigns carried out in 20 different countries outside Norway, retrieved mostly using the websites of responsible authorities identified. For each campaign the report attempts to describe the slogans and tag-lines used; the content of the campaign; the communication channels used to deliver the content; the groups targeted; and any evaluation carried out on the campaign. In most cases the report gives contest to this knowledge by providing a background to the road safety activities carried out by the relevant country. Different approaches used to deliver an anti-speed message are classified and issued. The report contains thus an overview of a sample of recent anti-speeding campaigns, a reference document giving examples of different campaign approaches, and a reference document giving examples of the types of campaigns conducted in different countries. The anti-speeding campaigns retrieved are mostly from Europe (50%) or Australia (27%). An Overview of Anti-Speeding Campaigns (2.72 MB) National Disability Parking Scheme - Have your say Did you know the Australian Government is seeking community feedback about the proposed Australian Disability Parking Scheme, which would replace the various schemes in operation in each State. The Australian Government announced $3 million in the 2009/10 Federal Budget to develop the scheme across Australia. The scheme aims to provide a new permit that is recognised across Australia and improved rules around its use. The Australian Government is seeking community feedback about the proposed Australian Disability Parking Scheme. CountryLink Booking Fee Abolished The NSW Government has abolished the booking fee on the CountryLink Pensioner Excursion Ticket in this year’s budget. In addition the $1 fare deal for children travelling with adults will become a year-round offer. Pensioners will now be able to use regular economy class CountryLink services free of charge up to four times a year. Pensioners choosing to use their free vouchers for first class tickets will still pay the booking fee in the form of a surcharge as it is a premium service. In previous years a child has been able to travel for just $1 with a full-fare paying adult during the Christmas and Easter holidays, it will now be available all year. Power Shift GetUp is an independent, not-for-profit community campaigning group. They use new technology to empower Australians to have their say on important national issues. Young people have been at the forefront of almost every social movement in history - from women getting the vote, to those who marched and died for civil rights, to rejectting dictators around the world. In this century Australia's youth are ready to take responsibility for our climate. Getup argue that we can only solve the climate crisis if we solve it together - young and young at heart. They are urging people aged 14-30, to click here to register for Power Shift - a youth climate event taking place in Sydeny 11-13 July 2009. Read more... XCELR8 Flexible Accredited Education for Youth Term 3 Ballina. Statement of Attainment in Plan Skills Development, 27th July - 23rd September 2009 (9 week course). Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 10am – 3.00pm. A Transitional bridging and Building program for young people. Read more... Livesmart Website If youwork with young people there is a great new website you should know about! livesmart.net.au has been launched!! It’s a new multilingual living skills website for young people and their workers. The website provides living skills info in 6 languages (Arabic, Amharic, Dinka, Swahili, Karen and English) and features an interactive ‘make your own budget’ tool. The website is a resource you can use in your work with young people as they learn about housing, managing mobile phone bills, getting legal advice and staying happy and healthy. Read more... Applications for the 2010 round of Youth Scholarships now open Are you in year 11 or 12 and think a $2000 scholarship would help your studies? If you live in social housing and you will be in year 11 or 12 in 2010, you could be eligible to apply for a $2000 Housing NSW Youth Scholarship. Entries close 5.00 pm on 10 July 2009. Read more... Northern Rivers Social Development Council 22 Cathcart Street Lismore NSW 2480 Phone: (02) 6620-1800 Fax: (02) 6620-1899 Email: info@nrsdc.org.au Web: www.nrsdc.org.au