2nd National Conference of Emerging and New Researchers in Gambling

The Office of Gaming and Racing is focusing in on raising awareness of problem gambling services and providing training regarding problem gambling to health and welfare workers in several portfolio areas, including mental health.

2nd National Conference of Emerging and New Researchers in Gambling (ENERGI)

Friday 15 October 2010

9.00am - 5.00pm

Venue: Monash Conference Centre, Level 7, 30 Collins St, Melbourne

The 2010 ENERGI conference will showcase the latest gambling related research by bringing together emerging researchers in the field from a range of disciplines. The theme of the 2010 ENERGI Conference is: Energising new andemerging researchers in gambling.

Benefits of participating in ENERGI include:

• Presenting your research approach and findings to a diverse audience
• Publication of your paper in peer reviewed conference proceedings
• Networking with other emerging researchers conducting gambling related research from a wide range of disciplines.

Practitioners are strongly encouraged to attend the ENERGI conference because it will showcase the latest research by new and emerging researchers as well as providing opportunities for networking between researchers, practitioners and policy makers to facilitate collaborative practice based research. Attendance at the conference will also contribute towards professional development requirements.

Please mark this important event in your diary. Note that numbers are limited to 100 delegates.

Registration fee is set at $ 75.00

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance to contribute towards their continuing professional development requirements.

Further Information

For more details on any of the above seminars please contact:

Ms Sylvia Niele, Training Coordinator, Primary Care Research Unit, School of Primary Health Care

Email: Sylvia.Niele@med.monash.edu.au Tel: 03 8575 2237

International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership

The following was received from the Mental Health Council of Australia:

The 2010 International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) exchange and network meeting will be held on 17-21 May in Ireland. Please click here for information about the event.

The Mental Health Standing Committee has requested assistance from the National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum (NMHCCF) to identify two Australian mental health consumers and two Australian mental health carers to attend the 2010 IIMHL leadership exchange and network meeting. Each individual would receive a maximum of AUD $2,000, to be put towards the travel costs associated with attending the IIMHL leadership exchange and network meeting in Ireland.

Please note:

This selection and funding process has been initiated by the Mental Health Standing Committee, and is not a NMHCCF or MHCA process.

• This process should not be confused with the one undertaken for the Canada IIMHL in 2007 by the MHCA, which had consumers and carers involved in its design, implementation and the selection of attendees, as well as support before, during and after the exchange.
• Mental Health Standing Committee is only providing a total of AUD$2,000 per person for travel costs. Any additional expenses associated with attendance must be met by the successful applicants.
• While the IIMHL website advises that registrations for the IIMHL have closed, four IIMHL leadership exchange and network meeting places are being held open for Australian consumers and carers pending this selection process.
• Australian mental health consumers and carers who have already registered for the IIMHL are welcome to apply for this funding.
• The Irish National Service Users Executive (NSUE) is offering bursaries for consumers and carers to meet travel and accommodation expenses (up to 500 euro) within Ireland. The bursaries are not linked to this selection process and must be applied for separately. Please click here for further information.

Selection process

Mental health consumers and carers wishing to apply for a place and financial assistance to attend the IIMHL leadership exchange and network meeting in Ireland must submit an application addressing set criteria.

As MHCA auspices the NMHCCF, it will use the selection panel usually involved in the selection of consumer and carer representatives through the NMHCCF and National Register of Mental Health Consumers and Carers. The selection panel will use the criteria below, set by the MHSC.

Applicants must:

• be able to meet all additional costs associated with attending the IIMHL leadership exchange and network meeting in Ireland;
• be leaders and active in their organisations;
• have the capacity to represent the diverse views of the mental health sector;
• write a short report on their exchange, the network and the value of the experience and to be submitted within one month of the end of the Conference to the NMHCCF to on forward to the MHSC; and
• undertake to forward receipts for travel and associated expenditure after the event.

Please click here for further information on how to apply.

Applications must be received by 5pm Wednesday 31 March 2010. These should be sent to Kim Harris at MHCA at kim.harris@mhca.org.au. Late applications will not be considered.

Successful applicants will be notified by 17 April 2010.

Victorian Standard Chart of Accounts Training

Did you know that there could be over 100 different ways to describe revenue in accounting charts, and more than 800 ways to describe expenses? The Victorian Standard Chart of Accounts (SCOA) is a Victorian Government initiative coordinated by the Office for the Community Sector.

The Victorian SCOA will be mandatory for Victorian State Government departments and agencies for all new funding programs with not-for-profit (NFP) organisations from 1 July 2010. The Victorian SCOA will reduce administrative burden for NFP organisations which have funding agreements with Victorian Government departments and agencies by simplifying requisite financial reporting.

The Office for the Community Sector is holding FREE training sessions throughout Victoria between mid-March and April for all Victorian NFP community organisations to explain its purpose and practical application.

For more information on the SCOA and these training sessions, please click here.

Workforce Capability Framework Workshops

Does your organisation struggle to recruit and retain staff? Are you looking for ways to make performance planning and appraisal easier?

The Office for the Community Sector (OCS) has now completed work on the development of a Workforce Capability Framework and is holding FREE workshops on how the Framework can be used by Victorian NFP organisations to assist with many human resources functions, including the recruitment and retention of staff, as well as performance planning.

To find out more, and to register for these workshops, please visit the OCS website.

Mental Healthiness: Adversity + Resilience @ Work

The following was received from mh@work:

“Mental Healthiness: Adversity + Resilience @ Work”

Bringing the business world together with Australia’s mental health sector

A Unique National Conference

Thursday 13th May 2010

Workshops Managing Mental Health + Resilience @ Work & Suicide Prevention @ Work

Friday 14th May 2010

Melbourne, Australia

“Reaching for the stars - to a more compassionate, mentally healthy and resilient workplace”

These events are aimed at Group HR Directors, OH&S Managers, and coordinators, injury management and injury prevention directors and advisers, workers compensation managers, claim’s advisers, return to work and rehabilitation managers, wellbeing managers, case managers, employers, employees, anyone who wishes to learn how they can create and support mentally healthy, supportive workplaces.

For more information, please click here.

Inquiry into Supported Accommodation for People with a Disability and/or Mental Illness

Recently the Family and Community Development Committee tabled its report into Supported Accommodation. It can be accessed here. A copy can also be requested via the Papers office in Parliament (Phone: 9651 8911).

Mental Health Act 1986 Review

The following was received from the Victorian Department of Health:

The Department of Health has recently published an information sheet outlining the status of the review of the Mental Health Act 1986. It can be accessed here. The information sheet can also be found on the review website.

With the drafting of the new Bill underway, the next step is its introduction into Parliament, the process by which the Bill will become Victoria’s new mental health legislation.

The extensive consultations held in 2008 and throughout 2009, and the 219 submissions lodged by individuals and organisations have all informed and enhanced the review process.

Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy Implementation Plan

The Victorian Department of Health has released the Strategy Implementation Plan 2009-2011, the implementation document for Because mental health matters: Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy 2009-19.

The Strategy Implementation Plan outlines the concrete actions to be undertaken over the next 2 years and the specific actions that will be undertaken in each of the eight Reform Areas that make up the overall strategy.

The Strategy Implementation Plan and the Mental Health Reform Strategy website can be accessed here. Limited hard copies of the Strategy Implementation Plan will be available shortly on 9096 0477 or mhreformstrategy@health.vic.gov.au.

Successful Grant Submissions And Tender Writing Workshop

Infoxchange: Successful Grant Submissions And Tender Writing Workshop

Date: 11th March, 2010

Time: 9.30 - 4.30

Venue: Infoxchange

Cost: $350

Discover the right way to confidently manage the application process to develop a successful application. This intensive 1 day workshop equips you with the information you need to ensure you have an edge over other applicants. You will discover the right way to confidently manage the application process to develop a successful application. This workshop is customised with the needs of the individuals in the group in mind. This means we take grants and tender documents of real relevance to the participants and work on them together.

More information and registration form here.

For further information

Contact: Infoxchange

Phone: (03) 9418 7401

Email: training@infoxchange.net.au

Website: www.infoxchange.net.au

Anxiety Disorders: How Much Worry is Too Much Worry?

The following was received from the Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria:

Anxiety Disorders: How Much Worry is Too Much Worry?

Date: Tuesday 9th March

Times: 1.30 pm–3.00 pm or 7.00 pm-8.30 pm

Venue: Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre

Corner Bell Street & St Georges Road, Preston (Melways Reference 30 E1)

We will also have two personal stories, sharing their journey of hope and recovery.

Employment opportunity - State Training Officer (VIC, SA and WA) - Neami

State Training Officer (VIC, SA and WA) - Neami

Over the last five years Neami has grown substantially with four new services established in SA, nine new services established in NSW, two in Queensland, two in Victoria and one in WA. Neami requires an enthusiastic individual to join our training team to support the development of staff skills and the delivery of consistent quality services to consumers. The Training Officer will be part of a National Training Team delivering accredited and non-accredited training in the latest evidence-based approach to service delivery. This position involves regular interstate travel.

Applications close Friday 12th March.

For more information, please click here.

PDRSS Survey and One Day Census

We would like to bring to your attention two important upcoming projects focusing on the Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Service (PDRSS) sector and the clients it supports: the PDRSS Survey and the PDRSS One Day Census.

These tools are important inputs into the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Reform and Development Plan being undertaken by the Department of Health.

For an overview of the policy context, objectives and deliverables of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Reform and Development Plan, please click here.

PDRSS Survey

VICSERV, the peak body for PDRSS, is undertaking a survey of PDRSS services on behalf of the Department of Health. The objectives of this survey are to:

• Identify models/frameworks that currently guide service delivery across the PDRSS sector
• Identify service delivery processes, such as referral pathways and client planning approaches in the PDRSS sector
• Provide examples of good practice as highlighted by the PDRSS sector
• Identify the use of outcome measurement tools in the PDRSS sector

The survey will commence early to mid March 2010. Please refer enquiries from PDRSS agencies to Wendy Smith, Policy and Research Manager at VICSERV, by email: w.smith@vicserv.org.au, or phone: (03) 9519 7000.

PDRSS One Day Census

The Department of Health is undertaking a census of current Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Service (PDRSS) users. The census results are expected to provide a clearer picture of the clients of PDRS services, and their needs. The census will collect information about client demographics, contact history and health and community service use, as well as unmet client need.

All PDRSS staff will be invited to complete the census for all clients they have had contact with, either face-to-face, or via telephone on the census snapshot day of Tuesday 16th March 2010. Staff will be able to complete the census on-line from the 16th March to 23rd March 2010. The census with instructions, will be available at mental health reform strategy website.

Exciting Project New Project for VICSERV and Member Organisations

VICSERV, the peak body for Victoria’s community mental health sector, is pleased to advise that it has engaged ConNetica Consulting to undertake an exciting new project. The aim of the project is to develop a framework for the ongoing development of mental health services and the PDRS sector in Victoria.

Victoria has a well-developed service system and many providers are leaders in the provision of community support and rehabilitation. However, with national reforms to health care currently being considered, it is vital that VICSERV and its members can identify new opportunities for sector development and considers the implications of emerging new directions for the future development of PDRS Services as part of the broader community sector.

To this end, VICSERV has engaged ConNetica to develop a discussion paper that will assist member organisations to:

• Understand the broad implications of mental health reforms
• Define critical features and characteristics of a contemporary and comprehensive service system including articulation of:
• The scope and roles of community based care and support services across the PDRS sector and more broadly
• Funding and accountability arrangements that contribute to the achievement of agreed outcomes
• Identify options for strategically positioning the sector and VICSERV members to contribute effectively in the changed environment
• Advance the thinking of individual organisations about the implications and opportunities that could emerge

The key ConNetica staff assisting VICSERV with this project are John Mendoza and Sebastian Rosenberg. John was previously CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia and is currently Chair of Federal Government’s National Advisory Council on Mental Health. Sebastian was Deputy CEO of the Mental Health Council from 2005 to 2009 and is currently Senior Lecturer at the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney.

The Project commences in mid-February and is due for completion by August 2010. An experienced industry reference group will advise VICSERV throughout the project.

Full details on the project including the consultations with VICSERV members and stakeholders will be available shortly.

'Help at Hand for Homeless Australians with a Mental Illness'

The following is a joint media release from the Prime Minister and Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Minister for Housing:

The Australian Government today unveiled details of a $10 million boost to the Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) program, to give homeless Australians with a severe mental illness greater access to one-on-one support.

Six new services will be established in communities with significant homeless populations in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia to help people with a mental illness who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.

In addition, six new dedicated homelessness workers will be shared among four existing PHaMs sites in Victoria and Queensland to work solely with homeless clients in these areas.

In total, 36 additional personal mentors will be on the ground by mid 2010 to provide intensive assistance to homeless Australians with a severe mental illness.

PHaMs is designed to help people with a severe mental illness reconnect with the wider community and live more independent and satisfying lives.

Personal mentors work one-on-one with participants with practical help to achieve their personal goals - for example, finding stable housing, or improving relationships with family and friends.

These new personal mentors will also connect participants with essential clinical and social services, including housing services and health professionals.

The initiative forms part of the Australian Government’s efforts to halve homelessness and offer accommodation to all rough sleepers who seek it by 2020.

The Australian Government is absolutely committed to reducing homelessness and has already:

• Made a 55 per cent increase in investment in homelessness and a substantial down payment on a twelve year reform agenda;
• Purchased or built 107 additional homes for homeless families under A Place to Call Home, with 750 dwellings to be purchased or built by June 2013;
• Completed 59,000 renovations to public housing dwellings through the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan;
• Commenced construction on over 8,000 new social housing dwellings across the country through the National Economic Stimulus Plan, with more than 500 completed; and
• Funded 40 new specialist homelessness projects across our housing programs.

PHaMs services in Mildura (Loddon - Mallee region), and Greater Dandenong, will be given funding to offer services targeting the homeless or those at risk of homelessness. Melbourne Inner West will also receive additional funding for dedicated homelessness workers.

Elizabeth St Common Ground Supportive Housing

The following was received from HomeGround Services:

Elizabeth Street Common Ground Supportive Housing is the first development of its kind in Melbourne. This project is based on an internationally proven, practical and cost-effective model to meet the housing and support needs of people who have experienced long-term homelessness. Supportive Housing coordinates the two essential elements in ending homelessness by providing quality housing and long-term tailored support services together in one place. Supportive Housing gets people housed and keeps people housed.

The Elizabeth Street project is a partnership between the State and Federal Governments, Yarra Community Housing, HomeGround Services and Grocon. The partnership is an Australian first with historic support from Grocon who are providing a multi-million dollar in-kind contribution.

For more information, please click here.

HomeGround is seeking the assistance of the service sector in locating and referring suitable individuals for stage one of intake to Elizabeth St.

HomeGround will commence engaging with future tenants in early 2010 by providing outreach support to an initial group of 25 people prior to the opening of the building.

Further stages of intake will occurr after this stage is completed and reviewed.

For more information, please click here.