What's next? New Aged Care Act Reform update and Q&A

Come along and hear from sector experts including Paul Sadler about the changes proposed, and what happens next, and have the chance to ask questions about how the new standards and the new Act will apply to your service.

Places are strictly limited - morning tea provided

Date: Tuesday March 12, 2024

Time: 9:30am-11.30am 

Venue: Shellharbour City Council, 76 Cygnet Rd Shellharbour City, NSW 25

Open to: Commonwealth Home Support Program Providers and Aged Care Service providers.

Registration guarantee fee applies. 

Click here to register

New Aged Care Act consultation in Wollongong

Consultation on the draft New Aged Care Act has been extended to Friday 8 March 2024.

There is a face-to-face Opportunity to have your say in Wollongong:

Thursday 7th March, 10 am to 2 pm at City Beach Function Centre, 1 Marine Drive, Wollongong.

You can register to attend on our website at health.gov.au/agedcareworkshops.

Community Industry Group will be putting in a submission - if you would like to have your views included please email Katelin at [email protected]

You can also read more about the New Aged Care Act consultation here 

Suicide Alertness safeTALK Training - Dapto (22/5) and Nowra (23/5)

Community Industry Group in conjunction with Living Works Australia will be holding 2 free 4-hour training sessions. One on Wednesday 22 May in Dapto and another on Thursday 23 May at Nowra focusing on suicide alertness via SafeTALK training.

SafeTALK is a half-day training session to help participants recognise a person with rhoughts of suicide and connect them with resources that can help then in choosing to live. Participants dont need any formal preparatiuon to attend the training. Continuing Professional Development: SafeTALK and provide continuing professional development points for:

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

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) - 4 hours, 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

Australia 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 - https://20240522LivingWorksSuicidePrevention.eventbrite.com.au

Nowra - https://20240523LivingWorksSuicidePrevention.eventbrite.com.au

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).

We Need to Talk!!!

As a valued volunteer and a member of our community, we’d like to offer this opportunity to expand your knowledge and support for people experiencing distress.

SafeTALK is a half-day training program that teaches participants to recognise and engage persons who might be having thoughts of self-harm and to connect them with community resources trained in suicide intervention. SafeTALK stresses safety while challenging taboos that inhibit open talk about suicide.

Friday 15 March 2024, 11.00 am - 2.00 pm at Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre. A light Lunch will be provided

TEI Program Specifications

Community Industry Group is aware that Illawarra consultations on the proposed TEI Program Specifications will be done through existing network meetings (Illawarra Child & Family Network & Illawarra TEI Catch Up) in April & May.

Community Industry Group has previously attempted to engage with the review process by offering to host a meeting with local TEI providers and Social Ventures to provide input into the review but has been unsuccessful.  

We are concerned that some providers could miss out on the established network meetings.

Would our TEI providers like us to request a stand-alone face-to-face TEI Program Specification session for the region? (View/vote in browser)

TEI and FCS Recommissioning Forums

The NSW Government is committed to continuing to invest in early intervention programs that improve outcomes for vulnerable children, young people, families and communities.

DCJ is soon to commence recommissioning of the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) and Family Connect and Support (FCS) programs, with new contracts due to commence from 1 July 2025.
 
As we begin TEI and FCS recommissioning work this year, we are keen to meet with you about the recommissioning principles, the approach and timeline, and hear your feedback. 
 
Several online information forums in March will be hosted by TEI peak organisations. There will also be a final online session, hosted by DCJ, if you are unable to attend the sessions hosted by peak organisations.

The information presented at the forums will be the same across each of the forums. I encourage you to attend one of these forums - please register for the one that is most relevant to you as a service provider.
 
TEI and FCS recommissioning 2025 Forums:

• Mon 18 March 2024 for FCS service providers, hosted by DCJ (invites will be sent by DCJ)

• Tue 19 March 2024 at 1pm - 2.30pm for FAMS members who are TEI providers, hosted by FAMS – Register here

• Wed 20 March 2024 at 10am - 12pm for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, hosted by AbSec (invites will be sent by AbSec).

• Wed 20 March 2024 at 12pm - 1.30pm for LCSA members who are TEI providers, hosted by LCSA (invites will be sent to members)

• Thur 21 March 2024 at 10am - 11.30am for Youth Action members who are TEI providers, hosted by Youth Action – Register here

• Mon 25 March 2024 at 10am - 12pm for any TEI and FCS provider unable to attend the other forums, hosted by DCJ – Register here

About the Justice Reinvestment Grant Program

Justice Reinvestment supports communities to identify the reasons why people come in contact with the criminal justice system, including police, courts, and prison, and to develop and deliver a plan that can make real change.

$7.5 million in funding is available from June 2024 until June 2027 to support new communities or those with existing Justice Reinvestment initiatives.

Applications close on 18 March 2024.

Watch this video to find out more.

International Women's Day 2024

Thursday, 7 March 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Cambewarra Estate Winery

Register Here

Get ready for the 2024 Women Illawarra Fundraising event - a Whimsical High Tea on Saturday the 18th May from 11am - 3pm in the beautiful VUE Room at The Nineteenth at Wollongong Golf Club.

This event marks the 45th Anniversary of Women Illawarra and falls on the 39th Anniversary of the purchase of our current premises, situated opposite the Wollongong Golf Club at 170 Corrimal Street.

Join us as we celebrate the Legacy of our founding sisters, the resistance, advocacy and enduring spirit of the feminist movement; and the impact that we will continue to have in the Illawarra for the next 45 years.

All monies raised will go towards our building fund, supporting our efforts to rebuild the Women's Centre into a trauma informed, multi-functional facility that meets the needs of the diverse women we support in the Illawarra.

Inspired by the Mad Hatter's Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland, this is a joyful occasion so bring your smiles and get ready for an event filled with fun, laughter, connection and hope.

Tickets include a glass of champagne on arrival, a selection of hot and cold high tea foods, tea and coffee and some light hearted entertainment.

There will be a raffle on the day, a lucky door prize and a prize for the "Best Dressed" on the day.

Tickets can be purchased at Humanitix here: https://events.humanitix.com/women-illawarra-high-tea-fundraiser

Can't make the date? You can always pay it forward and purchase a ticket for someone else!

International Women’s Day Illawarra Luncheon

This year we welcome keynote speaker Dr. Gill Hicks AM MBE to Wollongong. A true inspiration and survivor of the 2005 London bombings, Gill's story is a testament to the strength of choosing life, resisting hatred, and striving for a better humanity. Get ready to be moved and inspired!

Each year, International Women’s Day celebrates a worldwide theme and in 2024 the theme is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. It examines the pathways to greater economic inclusion for women and girls to build their capabilities and strengthen their capacity to learn, earn, and lead.

The annual charity fundraiser is one of the most sought-after events on the Illawarra calendar and helps raise awareness of the need for gender parity around the world.

Date: Friday 8 ^th March 2024
Time: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
Venue: WIN Entertainment Centre

Buy Tickets

WATANDAR – Harmony Week Movie & Dinner – Shellharbour

Care Positions

• Home Instead CareGivers

• Catholic Care Various Positions

Lifestyle Co-ordinator

If you are inspired, enthusiastic and motivated to support seniors and community members to live full, active and independent lives - we want to hear from you.

Click here for more information

Click here to apply

BIG FAT SMILE

• Diploma Child Care Educator | Barrack Heights Community Preschool 0-5 Job in Barrack Heights, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

• Diploma Childcare Educator | Kiama Downs Community Preschool 0-5 Job in Kiama Downs, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

 GREENACRES

• Volunteer Non-Executive Director Job in Wollongong, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

 FAMILY SERVICES AUSTRALIA

• HR Manager Job in Shellharbour, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

 CARESOUTH

• Supervised Contact Workers Job in Nowra, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

• Youth Support Workers - Shoalhaven Job in Nowra, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

• Supervised Contact Workers - Batemans Bay & Bega Job in Batemans Bay, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

 WARRIGAL

• Hospitality | Cleaning Team Members Job in Warrawong, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

• International Recruitment Consultant Job in Wollongong, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

ILLAWARRA WOMEN’S TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTRE

• Finance Manager Job in Wollongong, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

• Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Healing Clinician Job in Shellharbour, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW - SEEK

The Connecting Neighbours Grants are now open. Click here for more information.

We’re looking for ideas that will bring people together, reduce isolation, and help neighbours get to know each other.

Individuals and Community Groups are invited to apply.

A neighbourhood could include a street, a few houses, a group, or a place where you socialise.

Applications Close at 5 pm, Monday 25 March 2024.