2024 / 25 NSW Budget – Social Housing Grows – Other Services Stagnate 

The Minns Government’s second budget contains an impressive $5.1bn investment in much-needed social housing but fails to offer much for the state’s stretched community services sector.

“Access to safe and appropriate housing is the biggest issue impacting client groups across most of our local community services…We welcome this investment into building new homes for the state’s most needy, and into upgrading the existing social housing stock – much of which is run-down and uninhabitable.” Community Industry Group CEO, Nicky Sloan.

With a target of 50% of the new social housing for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, this investment will provide significant support for women and children. “This could be a truly life-changing initiative. Safe and secure housing provides a foundation for people to recover and build new lives…When people have a roof over their heads, they can access services, pursue an education, and find secure employment.” CEO, Nicky Sloan.

Family & domestic violence services were among the few which benefit from the budget, with an additional $15.6m in funding, plus $5.6m for the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service and $10m for men’s behavioural change programs. However, there is little in this budget for the broader community services sector, or for people living on low incomes. ”We need the NSW government to invest more in early intervention services…We need greater investment at the front end to build better community connections, to provide interventions before people get to crisis point, and to ensure children and families thrive.”  CEO, Nicky Sloan.

With energy poverty increasing across the region, Community Industry Group had been hoping for a substantial invest in the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) program. “The small increase in the Low-Income Household Energy Rebate from $285 p.a. to $350 p.a. which was announced in the September budget will continue, but the reality is that more and more people will be knocking on their local Community Centre’s doors seeking EAPA vouchers. Sadly, the scheme is chronically underfunded, and providers will have no choice but to turn people in need away.” CEO, Nicky Sloan.

Celebrating Member Success

Congratulations to our member, Southern Youth & Family Services (SYFS), for their outstanding achievements at the recent Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) state conference. SYFS's dedication to supporting children and families has been rightfully recognized with multiple awards. Your hard work and commitment to making a positive impact in the community are truly inspiring. Well done, SYFS!

The awards acknowledge, recognise and celebrate standout performers - individual, program, agency, and partnership - who are delivering outstanding work and advancements in the community services field, as recognised by their peers, partners, and clients.

Of the five award categories, SYFS won three!

SYFS CEO, Narelle Clay was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was assessed on active service and an outstanding commitment to promoting better outcomes for disadvantaged individuals, families, or communities over an extended period of time.

SYFS employee Gaston Pedroza won the Rookie Award, recognising a new community services worker who has displayed exceptional levels of competency and compassion.

SYFS also won the Service Excellence Award for a pattern of exceptional service to achieve lasting and positive outcomes for disadvantaged individuals, families or communities in NSW.

Wonderful to see this great organisation recognised for their incredible work for young people and families.

Social Inclusion in Regional Development - The New Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board has Been Announced!

The new Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board has been announced, including representatives from the Community Services sector, Narelle Clay (CEO Southern Youth & Family Services) and Nicky Sloan (CEO CI Group). The new Board includes representatives from a range of sectors including business, health, First Nations communities, local govt and education.

The new RDA Charter identifies the role of RDAs to drive Government’s vision for regional Australia as one of strong, connected regions that shape economic growth and wellbeing; are resilient and responsive to economic and environmental shocks; are inclusive, vibrant and diverse. Regions that First Nations people have every opportunity to engage in and shape, and where people, businesses and investments thrive.

Narelle & Nicky are looking forward to working with their Board colleagues in driving the government agenda to help drive economic growth while making sure ‘no one is held back and no one left behind’.

Don't Miss This FREE Interactive Day Dedicated to Addressing Major Challenges Facing Home Care, CHSP
& Residential Aged Care Services.

For Providers of Aged Care Services & Commonwealth Home Support Program - this valuable forum brings together sector specialists to provide information and opportunity for Q&A regarding the new standards and legislation and how this will affect your service. Guest speakers include: Paul Sadler (MOW Australia), representatives from The Department of Health & Ageing, representatives from NSW Health, iCare, Community Industry Group, ACCPA, and local service providers. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

DATE: Wednesday, 17 July 2024
TIME: 9:30 am - 3.00 pm
VENUE: Batemans Bay Soldiers Club
COST: FREE

Creating Opportunities for Marginalised Young People in NSW

Up to $1.5 million in funding for New Youth Opportunities projects to commence in 2025.

Applications for funding from the Youth Opportunities program are now open. Incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local councils are invited to apply for a one-off grant between $10,000 and $50,000 to deliver a new youth-led project that enables marginalised young people to lead and participate in their communities. Youth Opportunities funded projects support marginalised young people’s participation, engagement, and inclusion in their communities by partnering with them to deliver youth-led community projects. The Youth Opportunities program is a unique way to build authentic and meaningful partnerships with marginalised young people in your community – if this is something you are interested in, then APPLY NOW. The program also seeks to fund a diverse range of projects from across NSW, particularly in rural and regional areas and encourages applications from Aboriginal and multicultural organisations.

Applications open at 9:00 am on Monday, 3 June 2024, and close at 5:00 pm on Monday, 15 July 2024. Funded projects will commence in March 2025 and have till May 2026 to complete.

Applicants are advised to read the Program Guidelines carefully before completing an application for funding. To download these Guidelines and more, please visit the Youth Opportunities Website. Applications are submitted via SmartyGrants, an online grants administration system. SmartyGrants and the online application form can be accessed here. If you have any questions regarding the Youth Opportunities program, please email [email protected].

Join this FREE Seminar! Exploring the Australian Child Maltreatment Study Seminar 

With Professor Ben Mathews 
The Department of Communities and Justice.
Officer of the Senior Practitioner (OSP). 

In this free seminar, Professor Mathews will focus on children experiencing emotional abuse: its prevalence; the different types of risks and presentations; how practitioners and the system responds to children; and a public health framework for better identification and response to children who have the greatest needs.

DATE: Wednesday, 3 July 2024.
TIME: 9.00 am - 1.00 pm
ONLINE: Option to Join online via MS Teams  
VENUE: University of Technology Sydney
COST: FREE

DCJ and NGO partners are invited. Following the presentation, a fantastic panel will explore the policy and practice implications for child protection casework in DCJ and the NGO sector. Panel members will include Dr Mathews, DCJ and sector representatives. Register Now to Join in person or online. Due to the limited number of seats, if needed organisations will be asked to select in-person attendees. Details of the live stream will be shared with everyone who has registered. All travel costs must be met by your organisation. We look forward to seeing you on the day. For any questions about the seminar, please contact DCJs Practice Learning team.

SAVE THE DATE - Let’s Talk Nowra Roadshow - 23 - 24 July

We’re excited to update that our Let’s Talk 2024 roadshow dates are in!

As some of you have known, our roadshows have been visiting regional areas and metro Sydney in the past years. Last year, for example, we visited Orange, Hunter, South-West Sydney and delivered a series of information sessions, attended expos and hosted community worker forums.

This year, the Let's Talk Roadshow will be visiting South Coast around Nowra and Mid North Coast around Taree. The dates for Nowra is 23 & 24 July, and for Taree it will be late October. These roadshows are not just about providing information; they’re also about engaging with the community, hearing their concerns, and offering support where it's needed most.

Disability Community Voice Network
VENUE: TBC
DATE: Wednesday, 23 July 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

At the roadshow, there will be opportunities for community workers to access information and services of most concerning consumer issues, and for local community members to attend information sessions of knowledge most needed. We have known rental, cost of living and shopping rights are the most common issues at the moment. But we want to call out to our network members in those areas for any other LOCAL emerging issues that we might not be aware of.

Directly after the Disability Community Voice Network will have an information session about the Australian Consumer Law for Disability Service Providers from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. We are also holding other engagement events on the Tuesday, 23 July, at a local high school and Aboriginal Land Council but these are still to be confirmed. Invitations and registration links to follow once available. The Community Voice Networks are a community engagement initiative operating across NSW Fair Trading. The Networks focus on two-way engagement with our priority communities, including -

• Aboriginal communities.
• Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
• People with disabilities. 
• Young people.

The Networks help raise awareness of consumer rights while also informing the NSW Government of new and emerging harms in these areas.

[email protected]

Your Marketing Toolbox Workshop

Cost: CHSP & CI Group Members: $50, Other Sector Services / Non-members $120. When: The 3 x two-hour Workshops will be run over 3 Tuesdays - Tuesday 25 June, Tuesday 2 July, Tuesday 9 July 2024. Time: 10.00 am - 12.00 pm. Access to zoom required.

SVA Invites You to a Morning Tea Info Session on The Funeral Saver Safety Net!

Social Ventures Australia (SVA), a not-for-profit, has been working with Tender Funerals and financial counsellors to develop an accessible alternative to funeral insurance. The result of 6+ years of consultation and design is the new Funeral Saver Safety Net. It is a new option for Australians experiencing financial hardship to save money regularly into a funeral bond, with the potential for a top-up payment from the Funeral Saver Safety Net if they pass away before reaching $5,000 savings goal. This morning tea session will provide an explainer for community organisations who engage with clients that may benefit. Please RSVP via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/M2itJwV6j or email: [email protected]

National Carer Survey    

Carers NSW is the peak body for carers in NSW and is part of the National Carer Network and a member of Carers Australia. Every two years Carers NSW together with the State and Territory Carer Organisations conducts the National Carer Survey to better understand what carers want and need. The survey is a great way for carers to provide feedback about what is and isn’t working in their caring role, and in the various service systems they access. This information helps Carers NSW and other organisations to advocate for better support and outcomes for carers. The National Carer Survey opens from 1 June to 31 July 2024. Click here to access the survey (available from 1 June). For more information visit www.nationalcarersurvey.com.au

Hoarder & Squalor Workshop Follow-up

Last week Community Industry Group hosted a stimulating 4 hour workshop where participants aimed to gain an understanding of hoarding behaviour.

Based on the majority of feedback from our participants, this training was a success. Whilst it provided a comprehensive overview of the complex mechanisms underlying hoarding, significantly enhancing participants' understanding - we were faced with the harsh reality that one of the best ways we can manage this behaviour is to understand it. Like many other mental health conditions, the cases are varied and complex. There is no one solution or ‘quick’ fix to Hoarding and Squalor, yet the more we understand and uncover the underlying causes, the more compassionate we can be towards those living in these conditions.

The sessions on assessment tools and risk assessment were particularly valuable, offering practical techniques that can be directly applied in participants' work. The emphasis on realistic intervention planning was also beneficial, equipping participants with actionable strategies to support individuals effectively. The workshop adeptly addressed working with ambivalence and resistance, common challenges in this field.

Overall, the majority of participants found this to be an informative and well-structured foundational workshop that will enhance professional practice. We take all types of feedback into consideration and where possible, use this valuable feedback to inform our future training sessions.

Some of our feedback:

• "I appreciated the trainer's extensive knowledge and passion, as well as the diverse perspectives and flexible approach. The written plans were particularly helpful."

• "The information and practical advice were extremely useful."

• "The workshop was jam-packed with valuable knowledge and insights."

• "I found the content fascinating and am looking forward to exploring the assessment tools mentioned in the training."

• "The workshop flowed well, moving from foundational knowledge about hoarding to practical interventions."

• "I gained new strategies for understanding and engaging with individuals facing hoarding challenges. The information provided helped me develop unique strategies tailored to my clients' needs." 

Do You Have Empathy and Patience When Assisting Older People?

Community Industry Group are currently looking for ‘STARS’ Volunteers, a group of dedicated volunteers with expertise in aged care and a genuine passion for supporting older people so they can access the aged care services they need. Our mission? To ensure older people have seamless transitions from hospital to more suitable living arrangements at home or in a residential aged care service. Click the below link to enquire and Tanya, our Policy and Program Officer for the STARS Volunteer Program will contact you directly with your enquiry.

NAIDOC WEEK - JULY 8 - EVENTS!!

Blak, Loud, and Proud! Keep the Fire Burning.

On the lookout for some new ethical threads? ‘Coomie’s’ NAIDOC clothing range is now live! Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024 with some new ethical threads from the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation.

Seen above, and printed on an AS colour T-shirt base, the new range, named "Keep the Fire Burning - Blak, Loud & Proud." highlights the strength, resilience, and pride of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This fantastic new T-shirt, along with the rest of the clothing range for 2024, is now available for pre-sale online, with orders set to arrive on 1 July 2024. This venture provides an excellent opportunity to show support and appreciation for Indigenous culture and heritage, whilst showcasing its artists also! Profits from your purchases contribute to the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation and support the vital work that they do for the community.

To place a pre-sale order, visit the official NAIDOC Week merchandise website or authorized retailers participating in the event. Be sure to order early to ensure your apparel arrives in time for NAIDOC Week celebrations.

1,000 Community Workers Across NSW to Receive Free Professional Coercive Control Training

CCWT wins tender to rollout DCJ-funded Coercive Control Training.
The Centre of Community Welfare Training (CCWT) has been successful in winning the tender to rollout Coercive Control Training, funded by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), to help address the concerning number of women experiencing abuse in their intimate relationships.

The free training program has been designed to up-skill the state’s 1,000+ specialised domestic and family violence (DFV) workers after NSW became the first state to introduce the landmark Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022. From July 2024, perpetrators of coercive control in intimate partner relationships may be charged with the offence and face imprisonment for up to 7 years.

Five of the state’s leading DFV experts and trainers have joined forces to pass on their knowledge in a comprehensive one-day workshop covering modules such as behavioural indicators, practical interventions, and how coercive control may be experienced for different people in different communities.

“Tackling the horrendous level of domestic violence being experienced by women needs to be a priority. We need workers on the frontline to become confident in working within the new legislation about coercive control, so they can in turn support and educate women and the broader communities who engage with their services.” Debbie Cornale, Director of CCWT.

12th Annual Illawarra Dementia Public Forum 25 September 2024

Venue: Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow (Wollongong) Time: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm. Speakers include Mr. Nick Morgan, Australian Government Dept. of Health and Aged Care, Prof. Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia (TBC), Marie Alford, Dementia Support Australia, carers of people living with dementia and people with dementia, allied health professionals and others associated with dementia-friendly communities and dementia research.

From 25 June: Free registrations open (details will be published before this date). Reservations for display tables are open. Major sponsors: Dementia Australia, Australian Government Dept. of Health, Dementia Support Australia, University of Wollongong.

Draft TEI Program Specifications Released

The draft TEI Program Specifications, have been updated to incorporate insights from evaluations of the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) and Family Connect and Support (FCS) programs, along with findings from commissioned evidence reviews and program implementation experiences.

These specifications outline the desired outcomes, target audiences, activities, and requirements for providers delivering TEI services. Key changes include merging the TEI and FCS programs into a single early intervention program (with a new name to be decided), simplifying reporting procedures, incorporating evidence-based practices, emphasizing flexibility, ensuring cultural safety, and defining system-wide outcomes and program criteria.

The updated specifications will become effective from 1 July 2025. Until then, providers should adhere to the existing specifications. Stakeholders can provide written feedback until 16 August 2024, either through an online submission form or via email to [email protected].

The Categories for the NSW Youth Work Awards 2024 Are: 

• Outstanding Work with Young People from Diverse Cultures, Backgrounds, Experiences (an organisation, program, or service). 

• Outstanding Work with First Nations Young People (an organisation, program, or service). 

• Outstanding Work with Regional Young People (an organisation, program, or service). 

• Outstanding Youth Participation (an organisation, program, or service). 

• Outstanding Partnership (an organisation, program or service) 

• Outstanding Therapeutic Residential Care Team. 

• NSW Youth Service of the Year (an organisation, program or service). 

• NSW Youth Sector Volunteer of the Year (an individual). 

• NSW Youth Worker of the Year (an individual). 

• NSW Emerging Youth Worker of the Year (an individual who has worked in the youth sector for under 3 years). 

• NSW Youth Worker Hall of Fame (an individual who has worked in the youth sector for over 15 years).
  

  Nominate Here

Food For Thought

Grant Opportunities

Sydney Water - Annual Grants for Local Community Projects

Sydney Water, through its annual Community Grants Program, supports local community groups across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and the Illawarra area.

With a shared goal to build thriving and sustainable communities, the Community Grants Program supports project teams with innovative ideas to put projects into action that benefit local communities.

Applications are sought from grassroots community groups, volunteer organisations, education institutions, local government with community partners, sporting groups, and other community-minded organisations that share Sydney Water’s vision of creating a better life for today and generations to come.

The 2024 grant applications are now open.  This year we are looking for projects "Driving a Sustainable Water Future” with the focus areas of water education, healthy waterways and/or water conservation.

Members News

Are you a member who wants to add something to our ‘Members News’ section in our Newsletter?

Guidelines: If you are a member and want to add something to our Newsletter email your flyer to [email protected].

Member Jobs / Positions Vacant