Community Service Awards 2023

Our Community Service Awards night is just around the corner and we can’t wait to see you all there!

Key Information:

When: Friday 22 September, 6:30 start

Where: University of Wollongong Hall, Keiraville NSW

Get ready for a night full of celebration, fun and lots of pearls! Find out all the details about the evening over on our website.

Aboriginal Art Workshop at Coomaditchie

NSW Budget

The NSW Budget will be handed down on 19 September.

Nicky Sloan, CI Group CEO, had the opportunity to comment on WIN News about the needs of the community services sector, and of the local community about what we would like to see in the budget. These include:

• Urgent investment in social housing, including increasing funding for community housing providers to build purpose-built community housing to meet local community need.

• Increase core funding to critical front-line services to meet increase in demand caused by the current cost of living crisis.

• Increase funding for the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) voucher scheme to increase accessibility, permanently increasing the annual value of EAPA vouchers to $2,000, and allow the entire amount to be used for any energy type.

• Investment of $3m over 3 years in a demonstration project to address the health/aged care interface and reduce bed block in the Illawarra Shoalhaven.

• Increase investment in public transport including the extension of concessional fares.

• Implementation of annual indexation that applies consistently across the entire sector, and is based on the real costs of service provision.

Illawarra Workforce Forum: Improving Culture, Wellbeing and Quality of Care

Join us for a transformative workforce forum and workshop facilitated by Sue Jauncey from Appellon. This workshop is tailor-made for CEOs, Managers and HR Leaders of community service organisations.

• Hear from Sue about insights from her recent paper “Helpless to Hopeful: Improved organisational culture, staff wellbeing and quality of care”.

• Gain strategies and best practice examples to inspire an engaged and motivated workforce.

• Workshop ideas with leaders from other orgainsations in our region.

• Launch of the regional HR Community of Practice.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to empower your team and organisation. Reserve your spot today!

Register Here

Updated TEI Contract Amendment Clause

The initial version of this clause proposed by DCJ has undergone revisions based on feedback from the sector.

Noteworthy modifications include:

• The inclusion of an extra section in the clause, emphasising that changes must receive mutual agreement from both parties.

• A stipulation that the notice provided by DCJ must accurately reflect the mutual agreement reached by both parties.

• The addition of an option for service providers to either accept or reject proposed changes.

• A section clarifying that the involved parties can negotiate a timeline exceeding 30 days for implementing agreed-upon changes.

• An extension of the period for service providers to accept or reject the proposed amendment from 10 working days to 20 working days.

The final updated Contract Amendment Clause has been sent to all TEI service providers.

By the conclusion of 2023, TEI service providers will receive a Letter of Variation, incorporating the new clause into their contracts with the option to opt-out of its inclusion.

Have Your Say - National Housing & Homelessness Plan

SUBMISSION: National Housing & Homelessness Plan

CALL-OUT FOR COMMENT & CASE STUDIES:

Community Industry Group is seeking input from our members to contribute to our submission on the National Housing & Homelessness Plan. Access to housing is regularly reported by members as the number one issue facing clients, and real-life examples tell a powerful story, so we ae asking you to contribute both recommendations and case studies.

The Australian Government is developing the National Housing and Homelessness Plan in collaboration with state governments to improve access to secure and affordable housing across the country. The plan aims to create a unified approach involving different government levels to enhance housing outcomes and address homelessness.

The plan's main objectives are:

• Understanding the current housing situation and homelessness causes in Australia.

• Defining a forward-looking vision for housing policies.

• Addressing diverse housing needs in different areas.

• Improving data utilisation for effective policies and evaluation.

• Learning from successful international policies for reducing homelessness.

• Fostering collaboration among governments and sectors for better support.

• Setting national goals and strategies for housing and homelessness.

View the issues paper:

Developing the National Housing and Homelessness Plan – Issues Paper | engage.dss.gov.au 

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.

Please submit your comments or case studies to [email protected], or feel free to call the CI Group office to discuss 4256 4333.

Suicide Alertness safeTALK Training - Dapto and Nowra

Community Industry Group in conjunction with LivingWorks Australia will be holding 2 free 4-hour training sessions. One on Wednesday 18 October in Dapto and another on 9 November at Nowra focusing on suicide alertness via SafeTALK training.

SafeTALK is a half-day training session to help participants recognise a person with thoughts of suicide and connect them with resources who can help them in choosing to live. Participants don’t need any formal preparation to attend the training.

Continuing Professional Development: SafeTALK and provides continuing professional development points for:

• Australian Psychological Society (APS)- 4 hours, accredited, details uploaded by member.

• Australian Counselling Association (ACA)- 4 points, accredited, details uploaded by member.

• NSW Education Accreditation Authority (NESA)- 4 hours, accredited, details uploaded by LivingWorks to eTAMS once the training is completed. For teachers/early childhood educators.

• Australian Association of Social Work (AASW)- 4 hours, self-identified hours, details uploaded by member.

• Royal Australian College GP's (RACGP)- 4 hours, self-identified hours, details uploaded by member.

• Australian College of Nursing (ACN)- 4 hours, self-identified hours, details uploaded by member.

Dapto - Register Here

Nowra - Register Here

Get On Board Training

Get on Board will show you how to build and motivate Boards and Committees of management.

Topics to be discussed include:

• Board Recruitment

• Succession planning and ongoing viability

• Member induction, retention and support

Register Here

**Please note we only have a limited amount of tickets, so if you register and fail to attend without letting us know, you will be charged $30.

Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions

Board Training for CHSP Provider Board Members and Senior Executives

The Sector Support and Development Teams from MDS, Orange City Council, Ethnic Communities Council of NSW and Community Industry Group are excited to offer Board Training for CHSP provider board members and senior executives.

This 2-hour webinar (incl. Q & A), is designed to provide Board Members, Management Committees, and Members of Governing Bodies with a summary of everything they need to know about the Aged Care Reform, empowering them with the latest information and knowledge.

It will provide a concise picture of the Royal Commission, and the Aged Care Reform and unpack the following:

• Details of the Future State-Aged Care Programs

• Details of Funding Mechanisms

• Priorities and Timeframes

• Key Risks and Opportunities for Providers

• Stakeholders and Agencies involved in the Reform

• Government Supports and Initiatives

• Key Governance and Operational Considerations

Date and Time: Tuesday October 31, 4pm-6pm

Location: Online

Registration: Click Here To Register

This workshop is funded by The Department of Health and Aged Care. Registration for this event is free for CHSP Service Providers

Member Update Guidelines: If you are a member and want to add something to our Newsletter email [email protected]. Please keep all submissions between 50 and 100 words with a link to further info (images are also welcome).

Free Training for Community Providers Across South Eastern NSW

The courses include Mental Health First Aid Training, Diversity Training, Trauma Informed Care and Cultural Immersion Training. Plus they are facilitated across a range of areas - Bega, Batemans Bay, Nowra, Wollongong, Queanbeyan and Goulburn.

These training sessions are perfect for:

• Primary health care

• Commissioned providers

• Community managed organisations

• Other health professionals

You can see the training events and register here - health professional events (coordinare.org.au)

Free Training for CHSP Providers: Understanding Confidentiality for Direct Care Staff

Sector Support and Development Central Coast & Hunter is offering FREE Online training for CHSP providers across Australia on “Understanding Confidentiality for Direct Care Staff” on 19 September 2023. Follow the link to register and take advantage of this great opportunity.

The webinar will be tailored to staff working in direct service provision roles across a range of settings. The content will therefore be linked to the Health Records ACT 2001, Privacy Principles, quality standards and programme guidelines.

Click here to register: Understanding Confidentiality for Direct Care Staff Tickets, Tue 19/09/2023 at 12:30 pm | Eventbrite

Birdcage Ball

Join us for the William Campbell College Annual Fundraising Dinner

On Friday 6 October, enjoy the night at The Pavilion Kiama with a 3 course meal including drinks, an auction and live entertainment. Doors open 6pm

Tickets can be purchased at williamcampbellcollege.nsw.edu.au/events

Check out the flyer Here

Illawarra Aboriginal Business Expo

October is Indigenous business month and to celebrate Wollongong City Council is partnering with the Illawarra Indigenous Business Network to host Illawarra Aboriginal Business Expo. The expo will showcase a great range of Aboriginal businesses local to the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

If you have a Reconciliation Action Plan and/or are interested to learn more about local Aboriginal businesses, what they can provide and how to buy from them, come along to meet them!

Thursday 12 October 2023 Wollongong Art Gallery Burelli St Wollongong, 10am-12pm, FREE entry.

See flyer for more details

Certificate IV in Leadership & Management - Part Time | Moss Vale Tafe NSW

This unique offering allows you to attend across 4 blocks and complete the full Certificate VI Leadership and Management qualification. Through a series of scheduled face-to-face sessions combined with an online learning component, our passionate teachers will guide you through the learning experience.

Develop your skills so you can provide sound leadership and confidently manage a team in different industries. Refine your leadership style and take your career to the next level with transferable leadership skills that are essential in varied roles.

Read more on the website here - Certificate IV in Leadership and Management Or access the full course information in the flyer

For more information contact Leslie Hopping at [email protected]

Auslan Course - Learn the Introductions of Australian Sign Language | Nowra Tafe NSW

Tafe are pleased to offer a short commercial course to introduce people to Auslan - Australian Sign Language.

It will be offered 2 Friday mornings 9:00am - 1:00pm from 27/10/23 and 3/11/23 at the Nowra Tafe campus.

This course is open to anyone who wants to find out how to sign greetings and personal information, finger spell and gain skills in communicating with people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

It would be useful for anyone who works in customer service, education, health or disability services.

Please note as this is a commercial course there are no concessions or exemptions.

See Flyer Here 

The Man Walk

Come along to The Man Walk - connecting men, strengthening communities and combating isolation.

See Flyers for more details:

Morning Walks

Evening Walks

Aboriginal Housing Office Client Experience Initiative

The AHO would like to co-design a Client Experience Initiative that will focus on a positive social impact that will lead to an improved housing experience for our mob. We would like to co-design the initiative with the successful Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, so things are delivered in a way that works for your community.

Applications close 18 October 2023

Click here for an information pack or follow this link for an application form and further information or email: [email protected] 

Repairs in NSW Public Housing and Private Rentals Webinar Workshop

This workshop will be valuable to all community workers and volunteers who assist public and private tenants in NSW, in services such as neighbourhood centers and community legal centers.

For tenants in social housing or private rental, there are always repairs that need doing. But tenants may not know their rights, or may feel nervous requesting repairs.

In this webinar, you will:

• Learn about tenants’ rights when it comes to getting urgent and non-urgent repairs done on their properties

• Get tips on how to navigate DCJ Housing’s repairs and maintenance system and how to get repair issues escalated

• Find out how tenants can make claims for repairs orders, rent reductions and compensation in the Tribunal.

Find out more and book here

Cultural Mix | Wollongong City Council

Saturday 21 October, 12pm - 8pm

This FREE one-day outdoor event will celebrate Wollongong’s diverse community with vibrant music, dance, workshops, installations, and food from around the world.

If you would like to get involved, you can email us at [email protected]u and our team will get in touch.

Find out more here: Culture Mix | Wollongong City Council (nsw.gov.au)

Psychological Declutter Coaches, Recovery Coaches and Volunteers Needed

Inside Out Recovery

• Psychological and Recovery Coach Positions

• Volunteer Position

Care Positions

• Home Instead CareGivers

• Catholic Care Various Positions

Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellbeing Positions

Two great opportunities have become available to work with Aboriginal people, families and community to improve mental health and wellbeing service delivery in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven:

Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Peer Worker - Based at Shellharbour and will need to travel to Shoalhaben and Illawarra as part of the role when consumer requires support.

Aboriginal Mental Health Trainee - Based with Nowra Community, mental health travel for study required.

New Grant Opportunity Coming Soon! 2023-24 Volunteer Grants

Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by enabling the inclusion of vulnerable people and promoting awareness to increase participation in volunteering.

The 2023-24 Volunteer Grants Opportunity is expected to open for applications in the second half of 2023.

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 will be available to assist eligible not-for-profit community organisations support the efforts of their volunteers.

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines are on GrantConnect with other supporting documentation to be published when the opportunity is open for application.

To receive the latest information for this upcoming grant opportunity, please subscribe to the Community Grants Hub or GrantConnect.

Find out more here: New grant opportunity coming soon!