Community Industry Group Newsletter

Thursday 3 October 2024

Therese Petre & Melissa Forbes
October 02, 2024

Regional Health & Aged Care Taskforce

On 6^th September, CI Group brought key stakeholders together to discuss strategies to reduce bed block and transition older people and people with disability out of hospital at the first meeting of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Health and Aged Care Taskforce.

The Taskforce brings together leaders across a range of key stakeholder groups including NSW Health, Australian Government Dept Health & Aged Care, local aged care providers, primary health, planning and more to address critical bed block caused by the severe shortage of aged care beds in the Illawarra and the very significant effect on the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
The Taskforce discussed current actions which are being taken to alleviate bed block, as well as identify short-, medium- and long-term solutions to address the issue going forward.

A short video outlining the issue of bed block and featuring many members of the Taskforce is available here.

Major Changes to the NDIS Confirmed

Significant changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have been confirmed just two days before they take effect, following months of political deadlock and participant concerns over funding clarity.

The most prominent change is a clearly defined list of what constitutes “NDIS support.” This detailed list outlines eligible items and services directly related to managing a disability, such as accredited assistance animals, specialist housing, and early intervention supports for children. Conversely, services deemed "not evidence-based" or unrelated to disability management, such as childcare fees or sexual services, will no longer be funded.

Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, announced these changes, emphasising that participants can request funding for items not on the list, provided they can demonstrate value for money and appropriate evidence. For example, if someone requires specially designed shoes due to their disability, they can appeal for funding even if those shoes aren't explicitly listed.

The NDIA can now request information or assessments from a participant to test whether they are still eligible for the Scheme. Participants must be given at least 90 days to provide this information, and if the information is not provided within the set timeframe, the person's access to the Scheme may be revoked.

From 3 October, the NDIS will only fund supports arising from the impairment/s that the NDIA believes a person meets the access criteria for at the time of planning. The impairment types they will consider are: intellectual impairments, cognitive impairments, neurological impairments, sensory impairments, physical impairments, and impairments attributable to a psychosocial disability. However, participants have no knowledge of what categories of impairments the NDIA has recorded for them, and there is no timeframe for when the NDIA will inform them of their relevant categories.

CI Group survey: Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into access to drug and alcohol services Terms of Reference – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)

CI Group is compiling a submission for this Inquiry, which is assessing the effectiveness of current drug and alcohol programs and initiatives across all jurisdictions to improve the prevention and reduction of alcohol and other drug-related health, social, and economic harms. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and all responses will be de-identified. We deeply appreciate your input, as it enables us to ensure your voice is heard in this process and that our region-specific concerns are addressed. Please feel free to email any additional feedback to [email protected].

Have your say! Online survey of LGBTIQA+ community members for the National Elder Abuse Research Program.

The Australian Government's Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) has commissioned and funded the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to conduct research on the abuse and mistreatment of older individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and/or asexual (LGBTIQA+). AIFS is collaborating with Queerspace, a division of Drummond Street Services, for this project. The survey aims to investigate the abuse and mistreatment of older LGBTIQA+ individuals. It seeks to enhance our understanding of their experiences by exploring the types of abuse they encounter, its impact, and what effective service responses should look like from the LGBTIQA+ perspective.

Spots available! Critical Thinking & Decision Making online training

The "Critical Thinking & Decision Making Online Training" is like a compass for navigating your professional journey. It helps you:

Understand the Landscape: You’ll learn what critical thinking is and why it’s important, like knowing the terrain before you set out.
Map Out Your Route: You’ll discover decision-making processes and models, giving you the tools to chart your course effectively.
Plan Your Trip: The training teaches you how to assess client needs and set goals, helping you create a clear plan for success.
Navigate Ethical Waters: You’ll learn an inclusive approach to ethical decision-making, like having a guide to steer you through tricky situations.
Evaluate Your Journey: Finally, you’ll explore how to assess your progress and adjust your plans when things don’t go as expected, ensuring you stay on track.

Overall, this training helps you become a more skilled navigator in your professional life, making better decisions and fostering positive outcomes.

Calling for focus group attendees

Community Industry Group is seeking input from our members to contribute to our submission. We invite members to share their valuable insights and experiences through the provision of case studies and comments. Your input will significantly enhance the quality and depth of our submission.

New Program Logic E-Module and Individual Program Logic Templates

TEI has released a new program logic e-module designed to assist the sector in understanding the use of evidence and program logics within the TEI program. This e-module is in place to support providers in developing their individual program logic for the activities they are funded to deliver.

Access the program logic e-module: TEI Program: Developing a Program Logic (ngolearning.com.au)

The new program logic templates can be downloaded from the e-module and are also available on the TEI website: Key TEI program resources | Communities and Justice (nsw.gov.au)

Further updates to the e-module will follow once the TEI Program Specifications are finalised after the consultation period. For any questions or feedback, please contact [email protected].

Could your board do with a fresh dose of motivation?

At Community Industry Group, we know first hand how building and motivating effective Boards and Committees of Management is crucial to the success of an organisation. To strengthen your current Board and prepare for leadership transitions, it’s essential to focus on leadership development, strategic planning, and fostering a collaborative culture. Providing leadership training in areas like governance, media relations, and financial literacy helps Board members feel confident and prepared. This enables them to navigate challenges and opportunities with clarity. Click below to book.

DCJ TEI District Meeting

Attached are the responses to the sector inquiries submitted by the region ahead of the September TEI meeting for the Illawarra Shoalhaven district.

Do you work in a role supporting young people? Would you like to enhance your skills to improve youth sexual health outcomes?

The Nitty Gritty Face-to-Face Course, offered by Family Planning Australia, provides specialised reproductive and sexual health training tailored for youth workers. This comprehensive program equips participants with essential knowledge and skills to effectively address the unique needs of young people in their care. Through engaging, interactive sessions, attendees explore topics such as sexual health education, consent, and communication strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges youth face today.

Topics include:

Defining and negotiating consent
The low-down on STIs
Contraceptive options
Communicating with young people about reproductive and sexual health

Supporting good sexual health when working with specific groups:

Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds
Young people with disability
Young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer people

This course builds on and complements ‘Sticky Stuff’ training, also supported by NSW Health.

WHERE: Southern Youth & Family Services(SYFS) Centre,
25 Lake Entrance Road, Warilla
WHEN: Thursday 17 October 2024
TIME: 9:00am – 4:30pm (arrive 15 minutes early for sign-in)

‘Get Back in the Game’ - Grant Opportunity from the NSW Department of Education

Last Friday 20 September, the NSW Department of Education (DOE) released a tender, ‘Get Back in the Game’.

Get Back in the Game Program is a case management service for young people between the ages of 15 and 21 years, who are not in education, employment or training, or at risk of disengaging, and support them into education, training or employment. You can find more information on Get Back in the Game on the DOE website.

To participate in this tender please check you’re registered as a supplier on buy NSW. Instructions below.

How to Register as a Supplier: 1. Visit buy NSW 2. ‘Register to Sell’
To get started, register your email with, once verified you will be able to build your supplier profile.

For any further assistance or enquires about registering as a supplier on buy NSW, please contact [email protected].

Details for applying are on the NSW Government’s buy NSW Opportunities Hub.

Calling for focus group attendees

Community Industry Group is seeking input from our members to contribute
to our submission. We invite members to share their valuable insights and experiences through the provision of case studies and comments. Your input
will significantly enhance the quality and depth of our submission.

FREE Upcoming training session on The Intersection of Hi-Tech Stalking, Domestic Violence & Family Law Cases.

As our dependency and use of technology increases, we rely on electronic devices to complete many daily activities. Unfortunately, these same technologies are being seen more and more in Family Law cases where offenders have identified ways to exploit them in order to facilitate harm. In this interactive workshop, Naomi Ives will explore the risks and benefits of technology, not only for the clients we serve, but also for you in your personal and professional lives. Attendees will learn safety planning and evidence collection strategies for phone technology, location apps, social media, and more. Non-technical language will be used throughout the presentation and how to safely navigate the world of technology.

ABOUT THE SESSION

On Friday 20 September 2024, the Attorney-General’s Department released a consultation paper on proposed changes to the regulations.
The changes aim to modernise the regulations, provide greater clarity about their application, and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory scheme.
In this session, the department will talk through what changes are proposed and why, to support stakeholders in developing and refining their feedback.
The consultation paper is available to interested attendees on request, via the [email protected] email.
See flyer attached for further information
Thursday 03 October 2024
AEST: 1:00 pm - 2:00pm , ACST: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm , AWST: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Small grant funding opportunity available now! Applications close 5 Nov 2024

The Shoalhaven Anti-Poverty Committee (SAPC) are excited to announce the launch of round 2 the Connecting Communities Fund which has been established to provide up to 2 small financial subsidies of up to $1,000.00 (GST exclusive) each to eligible organisations and groups such as incorporated associations, community groups who are auspiced by a not-for-profit organisation, Local Aboriginal Land Councils or School P & C Associations.

The fund is for new initiatives being offered in the Shoalhaven LGA which will provide opportunities for individuals, families and communities to participate in community projects to support them to be connected and to belong.

Applications will be open from 24 September 2024 to 5 November 2024, an online information session on ‘How to apply’ will be held on Tuesday 8 October from 11am-11.45am and successful applicants will receive their funding in January 2025.

For more information: Refer to the attached guidelines or go to Shoalhaven Neighbourhood Services website sns.org.au and visit the Publications page for a copy of the funding guidelines or attend the online information session on 8 October 2024 from 11am-11.45am. To register to attend the information session click here