Illawarra Disability Alliance Meets with Minister Shorten

The Illawarra Disability Alliance (IDA) is a coalition of 10 non-government, not-for-profit disability services that operate in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region. IDA members support hundreds of people with disabilities, their families, and the communities in which they live. The IDA’s role is to collaborate to deliver high-quality, sustainable supports that promote choice and make a positive difference in the lives of people with disability and the community.

On 23^rd  November, representatives of the IDA met with Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Hon Stephen Jones MP, Member for Whitlam, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, and Alison Byrnes MP, Member for Cunningham. 

The group was keen to explore what the Minister sees as being essential in ensuring that, in the wake of the Royal Commission and the NDIS Review, we strike a balance between the ideologies of quality, safeguarding and human rights, and the pragmatic realities facing the community and service providers in striving to achieve the best possible disability sector.

Marketing & Communication Community of Practice visits WIN TV

Draft SHS Access, Eviction, and Withdrawal of Services Policy V 1.1

 A draft policy has been developed in response to the NSW Ombudsman report: Specialist homelessness services: helping people with high or complex needs 31 August 2022 - report.

 Please see attached a document that outlines

• The purpose of the policy

• How the policy was developed

• The draft policy

• Representatives of the SHS Access and Withdrawal Working Group

Feedback survey – closes Wednesday 13 December 2023 – please note there will be further opportunities for feedback and input in early 2024.

Feedback survey link

Australian Government Productivity Commission Inquiry into Philanthropy

The Commission released ‘Future foundations for giving’, its draft report for the Philanthropy inquiry on Friday 1^st December.  We were pleased to see the Community Industry Group submission cited in the draft report, and thank our members who provided input.

The Commission now invites written submissions in response to its draft report and will facilitate submissions by video or by phone. Community Industry Group will collate a submission on behalf of members. Submissions on the draft report are due by Friday 9 February 2024.

The Commission will be holding public hearings, in which any organisation or person can participate in. Public hearings are an opportunity for participants to elaborate on their submissions and to discuss issues with Commissioners. People who have not made a submission are welcome to appear at a hearing, and we encourage all members to read the draft report and register to attend a public hearing – either to make a presentation or just as an observer.

Free Training Opportunity Attract - Recognise - Value Workshop

This will be delivered over 2 half-day sessions, Thursday 8th February & 15th February 2024, from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

Delivered as a collaboration between the Booroongen Djugun and Community Industry Group Sector Support and Development Teams, this toolkit aims to:

• Assist an organisation or individual in identifying what they are doing well in their cultural competency, where they might improve, and some strategies to get there

• Promote the development of cultural competency in employment practices, policies, and processes to encourage Aboriginal applicants to apply

• Encourage the development of culturally respectful policies and processes to improve retention rates of Aboriginal workers and Aboriginal service users

• Promote strategies to improve links between Aboriginal people and the generalist service sector

Upon completion, participants will have information and strategies to improve:

• Their organisation’s cultural competency

• Employment strategies for Aboriginal people

• The capacity to create a culturally appropriate, respectful and safe environment for Aboriginal people.

As this is a free training opportunity, spaces are limited, so get in quickly and register before they are all gone.

Register here

CI Group Policy and Project Officer Position - Southern NSW

We are looking for a Policy and Project Officer to join our team.

This is a part-time position, 21 hours per week up until 30 June 2025. The contract may be extended, subject to funding. The salary is Grade 4 of the SCHADS award, and we also offer salary packaging, which ultimately boosts take-home pay. 

This position will be based at our office space at Baylink - Batemans Bay.  

The Policy and Project Officer will provide support for not-for-profit organisations and assist in the development and implementation of policy, research, and advocacy initiatives. By building relationships with the sector, the successful candidate will identify or develop capacity-building activities, resource materials, and information for our members and stakeholders.

For more information, or to obtain an information package, please email [email protected] or contact the office on 4256 4333. Recruitment agency applications will not be considered.  

Applications should be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “Confidential – Employment Application. Applications close at 5 pm on Sunday 10 December 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.

For more information see the seek ad or our website

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).

Beat the Heat

Singing Group For People Living With Dementia

Wollongong Conservatorium of Music (WollCon) will be starting a new singing group for people living with dementia and their care partners in 2024. No singing ability is required!

Participants are encouraged to enjoy the benefits of singing together and connecting with others. The group will be led by WollCon Music Therapists who hope to create an inclusive, supportive, fun community, for people of all ages. Expressions of Interest are currently being accepted.

 REGISTER YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST HERE

Free Sunset Seminar - Social Work & Environmental Justice 

The UOW Social Work team invites you to join a discussion on ecological social work. Ecological social work addresses the intersection between environmental conditions and human well-being. Also referred to as “Green Social Work”, ecological social work is concerned with the environmental issues that impact individuals and communities.

Wednesday 13th December 

Time: 4:00 pm -5:00 pm 

Venue: Online via Zoom RSVP: 

Register here to get the Zoom link

Flyer

Bill Relief to Eligible Women

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of Sydney Financial Group, Women Illawarra is so pleased to announce that we will be providing bill relief to eligible women in the lead-up to Christmas this year.

For terms and conditions or to apply visit Click Here

For further information, please call 4228 1499 during business hours.

End of Year Event - REFLECT & CONNECT
Time: 9 am for 9.30 am start to 12.00 pm
Date: Tuesday 12 December 2023
Location: Joyce Wheatley Centre, Hindmarsh Park, Kiama

Keynote speaker - Nicky Sloan from Community Industry Group will wrap up our year in Illawarra's Community Sector and also share exciting information to look forward to.

Your "5 Minutes of Fame" - we know you love it so it's back!

Shared Expo Table -  an opportunity to promote your organisation or upcoming events.

Morning tea - time to mingle, and meet others, and who doesn't love food?

To finish... a traditional Yarning Circle, facilitated by Kiama's Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, to wrap up an entire year of work in our amazing Community Sector.
Click here to Register Now

Enquiries: [email protected]:

We are thrilled to share some exciting news as we continue to gain momentum within the Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub!

The Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub, part of the national Head to Health initiative, wants to be a genuine part of the community, a safe space for people to visit to seek information, support, connect, or just sit – a space that is what community want and needs, a place designed by the people who will use it.

Our primary goal is to create a hub that is truly designed for the community, by the community. We invite community members, health providers, and community service providers to design the community outreach service for the Hub and the ongoing continuous improvement process by attending some sessions. Please see the flyer for more details.

Flyer

Trauma to Healing… The Transformation Trajectory Workshop

This in-person workshop will provide practitioners with an increased understanding of the impact of childhood trauma, the neurobiology of trauma, and how it manifests biologically. By using the internationally acclaimed TECA tool, participants will learn how to provide therapeutically matched responses to trauma expressions that are adaptable to the context of their role which offer relational repair and enrichment. The TECA assessment can be used by ANYONE.

The workshop also explores the impacts on practitioners working in the context of trauma, offering strategies and insights to foster sustainability and cultivate an enriched work environment.

To reinforce the learning from this workshop, participants will have the option to register or express interest in attending Reflective Supervision sessions.

Register here

Flyer

Survey of Workers in Social and Community Services

This survey is about working in social and community services. Questions are about your work activities, pay, and experiences at work. All paid staff in social and community services are invited to participate.  

The survey has been commissioned by the Australian Services Union (ASU). The researchers are Associate Professor Natasha Cortis and Dr Megan Blaxland from UNSW's Social Policy Research Centre. 

Participation is voluntary. You don't have to take part. Choosing not to take part will not affect your relationship with the ASU, your employer, or UNSW.

The survey takes around 15 minutes. There are no right or wrong answers, most questions can be skipped if you prefer, and you can stop at any time. At the end of the survey you will be given the option to enter a prize draw to win one of 5 x $100 Coles/Myer online shopping vouchers, as a token of our appreciation.

The survey will close on 8th December 2023. 

Click here for the Survey

Agents for Change

Agents for Change is a brilliant locally-produced podcast series featuring ordinary Australians talking about what science and research can tell us about preventing violence against women. 

It was released on Saturday 25th November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism.

We have taken the first step into a new era of change and empowerment as we break the silence surrounding domestic violence. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts 

Pod Cast

Diruwun Childhood Workforce Support

Early Start has developed a WEB page to help people enter in Early Years education.

Diruwun, Childhood workforce support and development site helps people explore various opportunities and pathways.

Diruwun - University of Wollongong – UOW

Nowra 2023 Christmas Party

Shouthern Cross Housing in conjunction with prosperity in the Park Commitee would like to invite you to our annual Tenant’s Christmas party on Wednesday 20th December 10AM-1PM at Parramatta Park, 7 Parramatta Street, East Nowra.

Join us for:

• Activities

• Food

• Gifts

• Services

All FREE!

Please RSVP by Friday 8th December 2023 by following the OR code below, or by contacting the Communities Assist Department: [email protected] or call 1300 757 885.

Inside Out Recovery

• Psychological and Recovery Coach Positions

• Volunteer Position

Care Positions

• Home Instead CareGivers

• Catholic Care Various Positions

Berkeley Community Centre

• Community Centre Administration Assistant

The Fathering Project

• Case Manager / Program Support 

Rural Mental Health Small Project Grants

Do you have a research project that you think will improve mental health service delivery in rural or regional NSW?

The Peregrine Centre and NSW Health are pleased to offer a total of $400,000 in grants for small projects in 2024-2025. Minimum grant amount is $5,000 and multi-year funding will be considered.

Find out more here