19th January - New Items that have been added to the website

Hello BSWHN members.

Please find the following articles that have been added to the website’s “articles” page.

With particular reference, please note the announcement from DHS regarding the long awaited training calendar (formally BRIT). At this stage they are aiming to have the training calendar available in early Feb. As was the previous arrangement, each of the regions will be entitled to hold 2 sessions locally. I will put out the call for which sessions are most wanted on the release of the calendar.

• Training Calendar Announcement
• Free incoming call service from Telstra - 'InContact'
• Road To Where? Art Exhibition
• Infoxchange Australia's Community Infocast Jan 2012

As always if you have questions / feedback please contact me on any of the methods listed below.

Regards,
Andrew Edgar.

Phone: (03) 5232 5176
Mobile: 0418 522 800
Email: aedgar@cah.vic.gov.au

21st December - A Christmas Gift for You

RIGHT CLICK AND PLAY TO VIEW.

Thank you to my little helper elves!

8th December - New Items that have been added to the website

There are some great additions to the website, particularly regarding training opportunities and of course the Homelessness Children's Brokerage!

I haven’t received much feedback lately, and since I’m in the beginnings of overhauling the website, I’d very much like your input.

NEWS
• Colac Kinship Carers Support Group
• Glastonbury's Colac Office has moved
• Download free resources developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation
• CHP Sector Bulletin: Sector Quality Update 5 December 2011
• Homelessness Children's Brokerage Support Project
• Infoxchange Australia's Community Infocast

TRAINING
• Homelessness Research Conference - Conference summary | Online Registration by Cvent
• Workshop Invite - innovations in early intervention, 16 December 10 to 2 pm
• Bridges out of Poverty Training Opportunity

FAMILY VIOLENCE
• Survey on discrimination against victims/survivors of domestic/family violence

Regards,
Andrew Edgar.
Barwon South West Homelessness Network Coordinator.
Phone: (03) 5232 5176
Mobile: 0418 522 800
Email: ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au

28th November - Homelessness Children's Brokerage Support Project

The experience of homelessness can have a significant impact on a child’s education; physical, emotional and mental health; and their sense of connectedness to their peers and the broader community. Children issues can be compounded by a lack of access to education, health, and support, social and recreational opportunities within the community.

The Homeless Children’s Brokerage Support Project has been established to enhance opportunities for children experiencing homelessness to:
• Engage and maintain their education (including early education services such as childcare and kindergarten).
• Reduce social isolation by enhancing access to a range of support, social and recreational opportunities within their community.
• Provide social and emotional growth opportunities for children and provide opportunities to increase relational bonds between parents/carers and children.

The Homeless Children’s Brokerage Support Project also aims to provide further encouragement to homelessness support providers to integrate child focused assessment and case planning into their work practice.

CRP Brokerage Application October 2011.doc

Homeless Children Brokerage Guidelines

21st November - The Australians for Affordable Housing campaign

Please note: the Statewide Regional Network Coordinators (BSWHN in Barwon South West) are involved and are backing the following campaign. If you know of someone appropriate or, if in fact you are experiencing housing stress yourself (paying more than 30% of income towards rent/mortgage) or would like more information, please contact either Sarah or myself.
Regards, Andrew.

The Australians for Affordable Housing campaign is looking to release some data on housing stress in local government areas across Victoria in the week of the 28th of November.

We're on the lookout for people in housing stress/difficulty who would be willing to talk to the media - from anywhere across the state.

If you've come across anyone, or any workers who might know of people - please send me their details and I'll follow it up.

Happy to chat further if you'd like more details - 03 9654 5050

Sarah Toohey
Campaign Manager
Australians for Affordable Housing
www.housingstressed.org.au

21st November - Website updates

I have added the following information to the website. Please take note of the first item, The Australians for Affordable Housing campaign, as I am supporting this campaign as a good long term strategy to put the emphasis back on supporting people achieve affordable housing outcomes.

They are looking for people experiencing housing stress, (paying more than 30% of your income in mortgage or rent), who would be willing to talk to the media regarding their situation.

NEWS:
• The Australians for Affordable Housing campaign
• Virtual Ophthalmology Support and Victorian Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (VPTAS).
• Implementation and Management of the Housing Affordability Fund
• Street homelessness survey finds health problems, complex needs increasing

TRAINING:
• SW Training: Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD Seminars for Professionals and Families

LIBRARY:
• Implementation and Management of the Housing Affordability Fund

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

21st October - Website updates

I have added the following articles to the website news page. I’ve also added some very useful information fact sheets to the Family Violence section of the documents library.

For new workers (under 12 months experience) please take particular note of the introduction to Homelessness training. This training comes hightly recommended and I have been fortunate enough to be able to bring it to the region. If you have any queries regarding this training please let me know.

Just a reminder that FLAMEFEST Whittington is this afternoon!! (see Youth Section on the NEWS page for more information)

LIBRARY
Under the Family Violence Section:
Adolescent-to-parent abuse
Are you living in a respectful relationship
Babies and Toddlers - Keeping Them Safe
Children 4 - 12. growing up in a Safe Environment
Domestic Violence Goes to Work
Everyone has the Right to Feel Safe at Home
Adolescent Violence In The Home – The Missing Link In Family Violence Prevention And Response

NEWS
Adults with Aspergers Disorder and High Functioning Autism: Needs, Issues and Service Requirements.
Festive Functions in the Gardens

TRAINING
Barwon Introduction to Homelessness and Social Housing

YOUTH
Concrete Audio Youth Festival!!
Office for Youth e-newsletter – October 2011

Also as promised I’ve cleaned up the News page, so all the information on that page should be up to date and relevant – please notify me if I’ve neglected something.

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Victorian Homelessness Action Plan 2011–2015

On Wednesday 5 October, the Baillieu Government announced the Victorian Homelessness Action Plan 2011 – 2015. This new Plan replaces the previous Governments 2020 strategy and aims to provide greater assistance to homeless people and tackle the underlying causes of homelessness.

Housing Minister Wendy Lovell announced the Action Plan at the Salvation Army’s Hamodava Cafe in Melbourne’s CBD.

In summary the Victorian Homelessness Action Plan 2011 to 2015 is focused on:
• supporting innovative approaches to homelessness
• investigating models that focus specifically on early intervention and prevention
• better targeting of resources when and where they are most needed and where they will make the biggest difference.

A copy of the plan can be found at http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/news-and-events/news/general-news/victorian-homelessness-action-plan-2011-to-2015  and I have also placed a copy here.

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Please find the new posts to the website.

News
• Infoxchange Australia's Community Infocast
• CHP E-news September 2011
• Australians for Affordable Housing Campaign
• G21 Volunteering strategy
• Youth AOD Capacity Building Newsletter

Training
• PD Opportunity - Places still available! - Working with Women in the Sex Industry
• Quality Workplan Preparation Training

Event
• WoWfest Reclaim the Night 2011
• Children's Week in Geelong 2011
• VADR CPD Event 11 October 2011. Demystifying High Conflict: A Series of Practical Strategies

Youth
• 2012 LIVESMART DIARY ORDER FORM

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

 

Hi everyone, and welcome to Fridays edition of website updates!

This is a well deserved accomplishment from the Christ Church in Moorabool st Geelong, who provide breakfast every morning to anyone in the community, as well as providing 2 evening meals per week.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/09/16/279655_news.html

Please find the following events and articles on the www.bswhn.org.au website, and let me know if you have any queries / suggestions.

Events
A Home For Life - Special Guest Invitation
Flyers For Flamefest
Workforce Forum 2011-Workplace Attraction and Retention
Golden Plains parent education series - parents with teens in Y 7 - 12

TRAINING
Professional Development for Student Wellbeing

NEWS
Infoxchange Australia's Community Infocast
DHS service standards now on DHS website

YOUTH
Certificate I in General Education

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

 

Hi everyone, I have added the following items to the webpage:

NEWS
The September: "Responding to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children" Edition of Parity

TRAINING
FREE professional development forums - supporting AOD service users in court
strengths based training
An Introduction To Working With Individuals Who Self-Abuse

YOUTH
Nutrition Training Forum
Fort Holiday Program

EVENTS
Keep the Pulse Pumping! 94.7 The Pulse Subscribe-athon!
Launch of Sex, Love and Other Stuff
R u OK Day Call for Activities

FAMILY / DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
new internet / telephone service for those who have experienced family violence and or sexual assault

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

 

Vale Peter Dillon

Sad it is to farewell Peter Dillon, who very peacefully passed away late last Saturday afternoon ‘with all his family around him’.

Peter was very dear to us at Time for Youth and as many of you would be aware, Peter fought for a decade with his diagnosis of cancer. Despite his struggle Peter was still able to provide assistance to hundreds of young people seeking refuge at City Limits. Indeed, he quite courageously continued with his commitment to City Limits until very recently. Peters contribution to our ‘values’ at Time for Youth has been to always ‘respect’ the young person. Peter displayed this ‘respect’ in all aspects of his work with young people.

We will have the opportunity to celebrate Peter’s life later in the week. I am sure many of you have enjoyed your time with Peter over the years and would like the opportunity to pay your respects. Details of funeral arrangements are likely to be posted in the Geelong Advertiser Tuesday or Wednesday through Kings Funeral Services.

Peter will be sadly missed by his friends and colleagues at Time for Youth.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Gabriella and her family.

Kind regards,
Mike Kelly.

 

Hi everyone, I have added the following items to the webpage:

NEWS
* URGENT update about Better Start eligibility
* Melbourne Zoos! Exciting News! Kids are FREE these school holidays!
* Infoxchange Australia's Community Infocast
* Council To Homeless Persons E-News : June 21

EVENTS
* The R.E. Ross Trust Seminar: Making a local community impact for children: comparisons from the US, UK, Canada and Australia
* Youth Foundations Presentation Event - New Date!

YOUTH
* July Capacity Building Newsletter - Alcohol and Other Drugs Youth Capacity Building
* July BATForce Meeting
* 'yes' Optus Community Grants program 2011 - Closing Friday 12 August
* CEP Rural Learning Summit - 12 Aug - Glenormiston College

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

 

Hi everyone, There isn’t much to add to the website at the moment, but I have added many new media articles to the Media Articles page and also to the news page:

• Linking Services for Young People Under 16 and Alone - Progress Bulletin 3
• Tobacco Fact Sheet

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

 

Salvo Connect
- Support worker Portland office - readvertisement

Barwon Youth
- Transitional Housing Management (THM)Tenancy Administration Worker(3 days per week)
- Initial Planning & Assessment Worker
- Youth Workers and Bus Drivers Casual (3–6 hours per week)

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Hi everyone,

I have added some news items, events information and training opportunities to the website. To see these items click on the "BSWHN news" tab on the front page.

News items:

• ACOSS Summary regarding Fair Work Australia Decision
• Job Vacancies Vacancies at Barwon Youth
• Infoxchange Australia's Community Infocast
• Homeless Persons Legal Clinic - Charter Review Submission

Training:

• DV Vic Training opportunities
• Training- Working with young people from refugee backgrounds

Family Violence:

• Be The Hero! Violence Prevention Program

Events:

• Winter screenings from Cinema Paideia
• Melbourne’s Road Home Forum IV
• Groove Train Feed Geelong Campaign

There is also some additional newspaper and other media articles. To see these click on the "BSWHN Media" tab on the front page.

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

 

Hi everyone and welcome to winter!

Thank you to those practitioners who have indicated they'd be interested in participating in the "Counting of the Homeless", very much appreciated! I am looking for some participants from the South West, so if you're interested in knowing more, let me know. I have been in touch with the ABS to obtain some information regarding the count which I hope to be able to send around shortly.

I have added some news items, events information (youth) and training opportunities to the website. To see these items click on the "BSWHN news" tab directly above.

News items:
Attention New Practitioners! A message from the BSWHN Coordinator (me!)
Go Back To Where You Came From: Write up By David Knox
Infoxchange Australia's Community Infocast

Training:
Advanced Case Management August 29 and 30
Children, Youth & Families Act workshop vacancies

Youth:
Barwon Youth Capacity Building Newsletter
Getting it Together in Geelong

There is also some additional newspaper and other media articles. To see these click on the "BSWHN Media" tab directly above.

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Hi everyone, I've added some content to the news and media pages. The items that have red arrows are the newest items.

As some of you will know, the State-wide networkers have been advocating for the homelessness sector with regards to proposed changes in the way the Australian Bureau of Statistics counts homeless data. The outcomes of the revised methodology has been a dramatic decrease in the amount of homeless people that are identified through the Census count. As a result of this, the State-wide networkers are considering our role in assisting with "Counting of the Homeless" which is part of the Census count, identifying rough sleepers on Census night.
I am happy to report that we have made some progress in regards to this, and as a result it is now more likely that we will assist with the "Counting of the Homeless"
I am now therefore looking for practitioners who would like to take part in this. The Census will be conducted the first week of August this year. Volunteers are paid by the ABS to participate in the count.
if you are interested in knowing more about this progress, please get in touch with me ASAP.

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Hi everyone, I've added some content to the news and media pages. The items that have red arrows are the newest items.

You'll also find new media articles. the tabs just above this message will link you quickly to these pages.
I've also added content to the "Library" page. I use this page to store all information that may continue to be relevant over time. I will in time look at reorganising this page, and therefore would love any feedback if you use it, how it could be better.
On Thursday and Friday of last week I attended the FRMP conference in Bendigo. Hats off to Victoria and Yin for a wonderfully organised and very informative conference. Some of the keynote speakers presentations will be made available on the FRMP website, and I will provide a link to these when possible.
Special thanks to the practitioners who feedback regarding the "BSWHN has been updated" email. Hopefully I have addressed your concerns!
Also don't forget the Salvos biggest morning tea next Monday! (See news page for details)

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Hi everyone, I've made some updates to the usual news and media sections.

Please note to South West Practitioners that I've decided to postpone the practitioners forum due to an overwhelming amount of commitments in the region over the coming weeks. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Karen Glennen and the other Children's Resource Program co-ordinators for a fantastic forum last week. The day was very well attended and organised - well done Karen!

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Hi everyone, I've made some updates to the usual news and media sections.

I've also added 2 sections to the media page, in order to store past editions of Infoxchange and the Capacity building newsletters.

Don't forget the "Through the eyes of a Child" forum is this Wednesday. Our Children's Resource Program worker Karen Glennen, has been dedicated to making this am informative and entertaining day - so I'd like to wish her all the best for the day. There may still be tickets available (free for relative practitioners), so have a look under the Events section of the News page for more information.

Regards, Andrew. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Hi everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable break!
There is only a few new additions to the website, primarily in the "News" section and the "Media" section (I was even able to make a connection from homelessness to the Royal Wedding!)
You will also notice a "Help" tab above, that will take you to a page outlining the website features.

If you are able to view this month's Parity magazine, make sure to watch out for articles by our own Karen Glennen, and Rebecca Fairchild from the Homeless Children's Specialist Support Service at Bethany. There is also an article by my fellow networkers Zoe Probyn and Jodi Mohr. For those of you that aren't able to obtain a copy of Parity, I will attempt to put the specific articles on the site shortly.

The state-wide homelessness networkers are still heavily involved negotiating with the Australian Bureau of Statistics regarding their proposed recalculation of Australia's Homeless population. I am in the process of writing a submission expressing some concerns held by the sector, and would ask that if anyone has any concerns, or relevant data that could be utilised to please contact me. (ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au)

Regards, Andrew.

Please follow this to view the latest news bulletin from Council to Homeless Persons. Please note the days for the consultations being run by the ABS as well as CHP. I would encourage as many people as possible to attend, in order to gain understanding and have input into the changes being proposed to the homeless estimates, and the possible consequences this may have on the sector.

Regards, Andrew.

A reminder to all that there is brokerage money attached to the Children's Resource Program available to all staff working with children that are at risk of homelessness. This brokerage is intended to facilitate participation in the community. If you have further questions, contact Karen Glennen on 5232 5231 or email ktglennen@swarh.vic.gov.au.

Application Form...

Regards, Andrew.

Information regarding the new Youth Support Service run through Time For Youth has been added to the programs page.
if you know of any other programs that should be listed on this page, please let me know at ajedgar.cah@swarh.vic.gov.au.

Regards, Andrew.

SalvoConnect Warrnambool are moving to a new location at 66 Kepler Street Warrnambool.
To facilitate this the Warrnambool SalvoConnect office will be closed on Wednesday the 27th and Thursday the 28th of April and will reopen at 66 Kepler Street at 9:00 am on Friday the 29th of April.
On Wednesday the 27th service enquiries can be directed to 0438 391 533
On Thursday the 28th service enquiries can be directed to either 0438 391 533 or the existing office number 5561 6844

Regards, Andrew.

I have managed to secure 2 of the training sessions from the BRIT calendar to be held in the region. As a result of the feedback from my previous emails the sessions to be held will be:

In the South West Region
Strengths Approach to Practice
June 6 & 7.
At Brophy Family and youth services
Facilitated by Russell Deal

In Barwon Region
Mental Health First Aid
June 20 &27
At Barwon Youth
Facilitated by Chris McGrath.

These are both full day training sessions that are held over 2 days (please note the week between part 1 and 2 of the Mental Health training as requested by the facilitator as an important aspect to the training)
There will be the usual charge for both workshops as listed on the BRIT calendar, but I am awaiting on flyers for both workshops including an electronic version so will have more definite information then (hopefully next week).

Regards, Andrew.