NRSDC

NRSDC February 2010 Newsletter

Subject:

NRSDC February 2010 Newsletter

Send date:

2010-02-03 00:26:14

Issue #:

36

Content:



February 2010 Newsletter


News Topics:
Conferences & Event	Reports & Information	Funding
Training & Workshops	Positions Vacant	Housing News
HACC News	Transport News	Youth News
Harmony Day Harmony Day celebrates the cohesive nature of Australian society and promotes the benefits of our cultural diversity. This year it will be held on 21 March. 'Everyone belongs' is the continuing message reflecting community participation, inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians. A key theme in 2010 will be Express Yourself. Harmony Day is organised by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. To celebrate the event, they are again providing free promotional items that can be ordered through the Harmony Day website. Promotional materials will be available from early February 2010. Further information harmonyday@immi.gov.au, 1800 330 100. Read more... 2484 Family and Children’s Services Forums The Murwillumbah Communties for Children YWCA will be launching another year of 2484 ‘Family and Children’s Services’ Forums. The first one for the year is on Wednesday, February 24th, 1 – 4pm (yummy light lunch/afternoon tea provided). Venue: The Coolamon Cultural Centre Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah New services are welcome as well as services working with an older age groups i.e. Up to 12 yrs old. Read more... Sustaining Rural Communities National Conference, Narrabri, NSW April 19-21, 2010. Social research for rural communities and all its industries. Lets plan and act for our future. Venue: The Crossing Theatre, Narrabri (800 delegates); Format: Morning sessions - presentations. Aft ernoon sessions - engagement, workshops, planning and networks; Registration: Essential. Details avaliable on request. Read more... North Coast Energy Forum Friday 4 June 2010 at Bellingen. How can our region become more energy self-sufficient while transitioning to a low carbon economy? An interactive forum on local generation and demand management opportunities for decision-makers in the community, government and industry. Read more... Wage Increases for Community Workers a Step Closer Community sector workers around the country are one step closer to higher wages following the announcement of a landmark pay equity test case in the new Fair Work system. ACOSS congratulates the Australian Services Union and Federal Government for setting in train a process to address the low wages of community sector workers,” said Clare Martin, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service. “This announcement follows in the steps of a recent Queensland decision which lifted pay rates for SACS and CASH workers by 18% - 37%, to be implemented over three years, and sets a precedent for wage increases under national arrangements.” Read more... Community Services News The Community Services section of the NSW Department of Human Services (the old DoCS) has just released it's January Newsletter. Topics in this edition include: New reporting threshold begins, New adoption information sharing in force, Specialist support on mental health and domestic violence, 400 new Triple P practitioners to be trained. To access the newsletter, click this link: Community Services News. Inquiry into the provision of education to students with a disability or special needs Call for Submissions. The NSW Parliament General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2 has commenced a new inquiry into the provision of education to students with a disability or special needs. The Committee is currently seeking submissions from interested individuals and organisations. The full terms of reference and further information about the inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website at: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/gpsc2 or by contacting (02) 9230 3509. The closing date for submissions is Friday 19 February 2010. Public hearings will be held on 22 and 23 March 2010. Read more... Good Governance Program: Board development opportunities for small to medium organisations The Good Governance Program is a NSW state wide learning and development program aimed at voluntary board members of small to medium not-for-profit boards and management committees of organisations that provide services funded by ADHC (including HACC and disability). Designed to develop and embed good governance, the program will support the roll out of the It’s Your Business governance resource manual. Part of the Program is the; "Tailored and Targeted Consultancy Support – Panel of Subject Matter Experts". NDS has established a panel of subject matter experts to provide tailored and targeted support for boards of DADHC funded organisations with an annual turnover of less than $5m. The matrix provides a brief summary of the areas of expertise of each consultant, and a link to a profile detailing their experience and skills. Organisations should use the matrix to liaise with consultants to determine their requirements and to agree upon a Board Development Plan. Read more... Helping Children with Autism The Australian Government has committed $190 million for the four years up to June 2012 to deliver the Helping Children with Autism package. The package will help address the need for support and services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). All initiatives include support for parents, families, carers and children from diverse cultural, linguistic and Indigenous backgrounds and those living in rural and remote areas. Read more... Country Arts Support Program (CASP) CASP provides small grants to arts and community organisations and local arts councils in regional NSW for short term, locally initiated projects. Applications for 2010 are now open! Applications must be postmarked on or before Feb 12th 2010. Application forms and Guidelines available for download. Read more... Educational Grants for Children and Young People The Barnardos OfficeMax® Max e Grants Program can provide grants for nominated children and young people up to a maximum of $5,000 per individual to support, promote and encourage their educational potential and outcomes. If you are a community group, school, kindergarten or day care centre that know of a disadvantage child or young person who is eligible for a grant, apply today. Applications Close Midnight 28th February 2010. Read more... - FOR STAFF - NRSDC Training 2010 Northern Rivers Social Development Council is running over training courses to take place in various locations across the Northern Rivers in 2010. The courses are designed to suit the needs of people working in the health and community services sector. To see whats on offer, click the this NRSDC Training link. Education 2010 ACS & Training Program – Courses located on the Far North Coast of NSW The following courses run by the Aged & Community Services Association of NSW & ACT will be run in the Far North Coast throughout 2010. For more information download the Training Calendar: 2010 Aged & Community Services Association Training Calendar (761.92 kB) Read more... Lifeline Northern Rivers Telephone Counselling Training Course The course will run from February 25th to April 22nd with a three week Easter holiday break. Most of the sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6pm and 9pm. The course also includes a two day Applied Suicide Skills Intervention Training course and a one day Domestic Violence and Child Protection course. There is a reduced course fee of $400 for people who commit to going on to be Lifeline Telephone Counsellors for a minimum period of 12 months.Applications close: Wednesday 10 February 2010 Read more... - FOR CLIENTS - Interrelate Family Centre Courses Interrelate Family Centre in Lismore are running the following courses in February and March 2010. For more information, contact the centre: (02) 66214970, lismore@interrelate.org.au, www.interrelate.org.au SELF ESTEEM & COMMNICATION Learn Self Awareness, Assertiveness and Communication Skills Starts Mon 15th of February (6.00-9pm) • 6 Sessions • Cost: $25 per session PARENTS not PARTNERS Develop Skills to Minimise Conflict & Shift the Focus to Your Children's Needs Starts Tues 16th of February. (1.00-4pm) • 6 Sessions • Cost: $25 per session BEING A DAD Tips and Hints for Fathers. Build a Closer Relationship with your Children On Wed 10th, 17th & 24th of March. (6.00-9pm) • 3 Sessions • Cost: $25 per session TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT SEX Learn Strategies on How to Begin and Continue Age Appropriate Sexuality Education with your Children On Sat 27th of February (1.00-4pm) • 1 Session • Cost: $25 THE CHALLENGE OF PARENTING Develop Skills in Making Clear Boundaries whilst Encouraging your Children, and Fostering your Relationship On Wed 24th of February (6.00-9pm) • 1 Session • Cost: $25 Read more... Mental Health Coping Training Eight Stage Healing Process for Families & Carers of People with Mental Health Problems. Every Wednesday commencing 3rd February 2010, Lismore. This program, by Julie Tallard Johnson will introduce you to alternatives to common patterns of coping. You can care for your loved one without losing sight of your own needs. This process is about YOU, the carer/family member, and YOUR own healing. You are invited to participate in this process with other carers… Read more... Position Vacant - YCNC Links to Learning Coordinator Youth Connections North Coast has an exciting and challenging opportunity currently available. YCNC Links to Learning Coordinator, Grade 3 SACS Award. Youth Connections is the lead youth service operating from Lismore with an outreach in Nimbin; we provide services and programs to support young people and their families in Lismore and surrounding areas. Salary packaging is available. Information packs available through Jasmyn Sheppard on (02) 6622 3143. Contact Meaghan Vosz, Client Services Manager mob 0428 411 027 for more information. Applications outlining skills/experience and addressing the selection criteria should be emailed to the General Manager, info@ycnc.com.au Applications close 4:00 pm Monday 8 February 2010. Read more... Aboriginal Transport Development Officer Northern Rivers Community Transport NRCT requires a fulltime ATDO to coordinate transport services for Aboriginal communities across the lga’s of Lismore, Kyogle and Richmond Valley. NRCT is looking for a highly skilled energetic person of Aboriginal identity, to coordinate the Aboriginal Transport Program. This is a well established program having operated for over 7 years; we offer a culturally integrated friendly and supportive team environment. SACS Award: Grade 4. This is a designated Aboriginal position. For an information package contact NRCT on 66286000 or download from our web-site www.nrct.org. Applications close: Friday 12 Feb 2010. Read more... Expressions of Interest - Lesbian Counsellor (casual) The Lismore & District Women's Health Centre is seeking expressions of interest for a counsellor to provide a specialist lesbian counselling service one day per week at the centre. The aim of the position is to provide a counseling service for same sex attracted women, lesbians, bisexual women and queer women. Provide telephone counseling, including out of area clients. There is a minimum of 3 sessions per week up to 7 hours per week, dependant on bookings and available funding. The Counsellor will work one day per week on Monday, during normal business hours, at Lismore and District Women’s Health Centre. Read more... Positions Vacant - Various Positions Assistant Coordinator (Full Time), Health & Well Being Program Officer (Part Time) & Community Care Workers – Part Time (Aged and Disability Services). Would you like to be part of an amazing team? St Carthage’s is a non government organisation, located in Goonellabah providing community services to older people, people with disabilities and their carers. Positions exist for a Full Time Assistant Coordinator, Part Time Health & Well Being Program Officer (30-35hrs per week) and 2 Part Time Community Care Workers (1 x 20hrs, 1 x 25hrs per week) across aged and disability services. Applications for casual community care workers will also be accepted and may develop into part time positions. Staff are required to work anywhere within our target area. Applications due: 4 pm Friday 5th February 2010. Read more... Online Employment Vacancies Jobs in the social and community services sector are also advertised on the following websites:

Regional Homelessness Action Planning Framework The Regional Homelessness Action Plans 2010 – 2014 Planning Framework December 2009 is now available and all relevant stakeholders are encouraged to make submissions to Housing NSW about regional homelessness priorities and proposed projects. Please read the attached document carefully and make your submissions to the link indicated. The Planning Framework document can be downloaded by clicking the following link: Regional Homelessness Action Planning Framework (1016.42 kB). Northern Rivers HACC Information NRSDC's HACC Development Project program aims to improve the capacity of HACC Service infrastructure to deliver quality services, which respond to client needs, including special needs groups and also to work collaboratively with the community service sector to build a strong cohesive community care system. Current information is available on the NRSDC website including interagency dates and contact details for 2010.Click here to view the HACC Development website page. Bus Buddie’s Bus Buddies provides small group outings and activities using our wheelchair accessible bus. It is open to people who have a disability aged 30 to 65 AND who are affected by social isolation AND who live in the Lismore LGA. New clients can self-refer or service providers can make a referral on their behalf. People who are newly referred will be visited in their own home so that I can assess: eligibility, feasibility and discuss their needs and interests. Read more... Greenhouse gas emissions from Australian transport: projections to 2020 This report presents the results of a Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) study into recent trends in transport demand, energy use and resulting emission levels; and provides base case (or ‘business-as-usual’) projections out to 2020 of greenhouse gas emissions from the Australian transport sector. Download the report. Read more... Third Australian Survey of Young People who are Same Sex Attracted Are you attracted to people of the same sex? Aged between 14 and 21 years? Living in Australia? Interested in having a say about the issues affecting your life? If you have sexual feelings for people of the same sex, whether or not you have ever acted on those feelings, we are interested in finding out about you, your family and friends, school, relationships, how people treat you, sexual health and the fun things about your life. The results of this research will be used to improve education and services and focus more attention on how to make Australia a more inclusive place regarding sexual diversity. Young people can fill In the survey here: http://wti3.org.au/ 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 If you are having difficulty viewing this email or any images, click here to open a web based version of this newsletter as well as previous editions.