NADA ADVOCATETHE BULLETIN OF THE NETWORK OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS AGENCIES Issue 5 – October 2011

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NADA events

Other events

CEO’s report

To see a list of all confirmed NADA events for 2011, visit the

NADA Events Page.

Member noticeboard

Contents

Hello NADA members and stakeholders.

Well what a busy few months NADA has had! Submissions; policy responses; funding

proposals; consultations; meeting with Ministers; meeting government department officers; participating in advisory meetings – all the while, navigating the new operations of our primary funding body and negotiating our own funding grant. It is certainly a challenging time for health NGOs.

The Ministry of Health (no longer NSW Health) have released their ‘Future Arrangements for Governance of NSW Health’ report with administrative restructure due to be completed by December 2011. Whilst this may not have a direct impact on NGOs, indirectly it may mean administrative processes are slower due to less staffing at the head office end, and less State-wide coordination with more control being given to Local Health Districts. We expect new NGO grant guidelines to instruct what type of activity is likely to be funded, with an emphasis on direct service delivery and a move away from administration. NADA is in full support of funding for client services, however we also advocate for governance, administration and infrastructure resourcing – a service can’t be provided without the skilled staff, the building, and operational supports. NADA is still keen for greater movement on reducing red tape that is currently part of NGO grants. Addressing more of the NGO Program Review Recommendations will go some way to reducing the administrative burden for all parties.

For the drug and alcohol sector, the new Mental Health Commission legislation is likely to be passed by end October 2011, outlining its role and functions, which is likely to impact on the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol office (MHDAO) role and functions. Watch this space.

Continued on page 7 ...

Applied Suicide Intervention Training Skills10 and 11 November 2011Portside Centre, 207 Kent St, SydneyRegister here or contact Nicole for more information

Applied Suicide Intervention Training Skills28 and 29 November 2011 Portside Centre, 207 Kent St, SydneyRegister here or contact Nicole for more information

2011 NADA Member Forum, Workshop and AGM 5 and 6 December 2011 Citigate Central, Sydney View the Forum flyer and registration here

Long Term Impacts of Child Abuse – An Introduction WorkshopLIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

14 and 15 December 2011 NADA Offices, Level 2, 619 Elizabeth St, RedfernRegister here or contact Mahlia

Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) 2011 conference13–16 November 2011Hobart, TasmaniaMore information and registration here.

Australia’s Welfare 2011 Conference24 November 2011National Convention Centre, CanberraMore information at the conference website.

NSW Child Protection and Wellbeing Interagency Conference 29 and 30 November 2011Crystal Palace, Luna Park, Milsons PointMore information and registration here.

Creating Synergy Drug and Alcohol Conference 27 and 28 June 2012 Novotel, WollongongMore information at the conference website.

Kirketon Road Centre–Primary Health Care and Outreach Training23 - 25 November 2011

Develop skills needed to become effective Primary Health Care and Outreach workers in the HIV prevention and drug and alcohol field. Suitable for new and experienced workers, this course aims to give an understanding of effective service provision in a professional and ethical framework. Cost is $350. Funding available for NSW participants through the NSW Workforce Development Program. Further details and application: Wendy Machin on (02) 9360 2766.

Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) Research StudyDAMEC is investigating what kind of prescription drugs can cause addiction among women and which age group of women are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse. Women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds aged 18+ are asked to take part in the research study via a questionnaire over the phone or in person. Contact Dominika Daminska on ph. 0401 770 976.

Member noticeboard 1

NADA & other events 1

CEO’s report 1 & 7

NADA member profile 2

Frontline worker profile 3

NADA staff profile 4

Feature article 5

Project update 6

Advocacy actions 7

Sector development 8

Contact NADA 8

NADA ADVOCATE Issue 5 – October 2011

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NADA Member

Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre

Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre (LWCHC) is a community-based, not-for-profit women’s health centre primarily funded by NSW Ministry of Health, providing low-cost medical and complementary health care services to over 10,000 women a year.

LWCHC was the first women’s health centre to be established in Australia, in response to lobbying by a determined group of women involved in the movement for women’s rights. The Centre opened on International

Women’s Day in March 1974 with a grant from the federal government. Our underlying philosophy is feminist. The basic principles informing our approach are: a gender analysis of the mainstream health system; a social definition of health; empowerment and a wholistic approach to health care.

Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs work is a longstanding component of our service and currently consists of one worker at 35 hours a week. The work is divided between counselling, health education and outreach services. Counselling is available for any disadvantaged woman wanting support with an alcohol, tobacco or other drug issue, or wanting support in coping with a significant other who has an AOD issue. Clients vary from women whose social drinking is becoming problematic, to support for detox referrals, to abstinence support for women who have completed rehabilitation and are building a life in the community.

The drug and alcohol worker runs groups in-house and via outreach on a range of issues such as stress management and relaxation, recovery skills and communication skills. Talks are given to a range of organisations on harm minimisation and skill development topics, and we are always interested in new ways to contact hard to reach women. We also get involved in health promotion events such as stalls at local festivals or other community events.

We encourage women with drug and alcohol issues (and women who are affected by another’s use) to access any or all of the centre’s wholistic services, particularly our GPs, women’s health nurse, naturopathy, acupuncture and the group program. For example she might see the acupuncturist about insomnia; the naturopath about hepatitis C, the doctor or nurse for a sexual health check and advice, and attend the walking group, the meditation group and the communication skills group, in addition to drug and alcohol counselling. Other services include Vietnamese health education and counselling; assessment counselling; the state wide Women Partners of Bisexual Men service offering counselling and group support. LWCHC also has in-house partnerships with a Medicare registered psychologist; a counsellor for adult survivors of childhood sexual assault; and massage.

NADA Member Event 2011

NADA’s annual member event for 2011will is to be held on the 5th and 6th December at Citigate Central, Sydney.

The day one forum will focus on trauma informed care in drug and alcohol service delivery. We will explore what trauma informed care is, how and if service providers are practicing it, and what else can be done to improve services for clients.

Members, researchers and others with trauma informed care expertise will share their knowledge and experience, including:

•Dr Michael Salter, Lecturer in Criminology, University of Western Sydney

•Prof Judy Atkinson, Head of Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, Southern Cross University

•Dr Caroline Atkinson, Senior Lecturer, Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, Southern Cross University

•Amos Hee, The Buttery

•Julia Douglas, Indigo Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative Care Coordination, Western Region Health Centre

•Phillipa Ewer, Research Officer, NDARC, UNSW

NADA will hold its annual general meeting at 4pm after the forum closure, followed by networking drinks and canapés.

Day two is free to NADA members attending the first day forum. Split into concurrent sessions, the training for frontline workers, provided by ASCA, takes a practical approach to practicing trauma informed care, while the workshop for managers explores implementation of trauma informed care within the organisation and the well being of workers.

More details available in coming weeks, including forum cost and event registration. In the meantime, contact Tanya if needed.

NADA ADVOCATE Issue 5 – October 2011

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Frontline worker profile: A day in the life of Michele Campbell

Michele Campbell Program Manager

Lyndon Outreach Service, The Lyndon Communitywww.lyndoncommunity.org.au

How long have you been working with your organisation?

I have been working for The Lyndon Community for 4 years, 3 years in my current position.

How did you get to this place and time in your career?

We moved to Orange from Sydney nearly 5 years ago and I previously worked at St Vincent’s Hospital Drug and Alcohol Service for about 8 years. We lived in a rural area of Sydney and the incentive was to have more land to have more horses and less time travelling to and from work. It used to take an hour and a half to drive to and from work, not so good after a 10 hour night shift. I spent 6 months fencing paddocks and working part-time and then found my job at Lyndon.

What does an average work day involve for you?

Start at 8.30am, check emails and make phone calls; talk to staff before they go out and about; organise and develop new groups and training; establish new partnerships with other agencies; delegate; clinical support and mentoring to staff; travel to Forbes, Parkes, Condobolin, Dubbo or Wellington, attend lots of meetings; service promotion; search for new funding or other opportunities; orientate students; debrief staff upon their return or during the day as required. Finish at about 5pm.

What is the best thing about your job?

Having a good boss who lets me do my job and having a great team to do the work. I like the flexibility we have to deliver the service and working with other service providers such as Probation and Parole. There’s nothing much not too like.

What is one thing you would like to see different in the non government drug and alcohol sector? What needs to change to get there?

More equitable pay rates with the government sector, we need more recognition for what we do.

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

I would want to fly, it’s amazing to watch the wedge-tailed eagles coasting around searching for prey.

Creating Synergy Drug and Alcohol Conference

27- 28 June 2012 Novotel, Wollongong

The 2012 Creating Synergy Drug and Alcohol Conference will be held in Wollongong, beachside at The Novotel. The conference theme is ‘Substance misuse, mental health and ageing - embracing the complexity of a changing environment’.

Call for abstracts are now open

You are invited to submit an abstract of original work for oral and poster presentations that relate to the following conference themes:

•Workforce Development

– NGO work in treatment services of building capacity to deal with co-occurring disorders and increasing workforce capacity to deliver services

– Workforce development strategies for dealing with complex needs - managing vicarious trauma, burnout in drug and alcohol and mental health staff, ageing workforce.

•Ageing How do services deal with an ageing and increasingly complex, and co-morbid needs?

•Alcohol Related Brain Injury and links to aged care issues, and other special populations, in relation to early decline of people’s capacity and functions and how services can respond to these complex needs

•Service Linkages How do aged care services link and work with drug and alcohol and mental health services – what are the synergies?

Guidelines for abstract submission and updates on key note speaker and program information for the Creating Synergy 2012 Drug & Alcohol Conference available here.

Mental Health Matters Awards The launch of Mental Health Month NSW on 12th October saw three NADA members being recognised for their work in the area of mental health. NSW Mental Health Minister Mr Kevin Humphries presented the awards at Parliament House.

Congratulations to: •Dunlea Alcohol and other

Drug Service, Youth Off The Streets for the ‘Mental Health Promotion, Prevention of Mental Ill-health and Early Intervention’ Award

•Lyndon Outreach Service, The Lyndon Community for the ‘Cross Sector Collaboration’ Award

•Watershed Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Centre for the ‘Excellence in Service or Program Delivery’ Award.

NADA ADVOCATE Issue 5 – October 2011

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NADA staff profile

Mahlia Sepple Project Support Officer

How long have you been with NADA? I started in May 2010, so I am coming up to 18 months – and still loving it!

What experiences do you bring to NADA? My previous employment was mainly based in administration and logistics, so I have a good knowledge of computer systems and programs as well as a great ability to organise things. My previous jobs included working with social housing tenants and supporting clients dealing with long-term unemployment. I also have a fine arts qualification, which majored in photography, printmaking and graphic design, so I can make things look pretty.

What are you working on at the moment? The WFD Training Grants program is my main role, as well as organising open training sessions for our membership. I also produce the email update fortnightly and do small graphic work for NADA when needed.

What is the most interesting part of your role with NADA?

Visiting member organisations and talking to members at training sessions! I love to hear the feedback from workers and find out what it is that they truly need in regards to training and further knowledge. I really enjoy collating the email update and try very hard to steer it towards the interest of our membership.

What else are you currently involved in?

I have just completed a Cert IV in Community Services Work and have applied to start the Diploma in Community Services Work – Alcohol and other drugs and Mental Health in 2012.

Tell us something you enjoy doing on your days away from work.

I love spending time with my partner, seeing live music, reading, watching roller derby (go Team Unicorn!), being creative and crafty and going to art galleries.

Trauma Informed Care and Practice (TICP): a national agenda

Corinne Henderson, MHCC

In June a landmark national conference Trauma Informed Care & Practice: Meeting the Challenge was held in Sydney, attracting over 240 people. The conference, targeted at consumers, carers and people working in mental health and human service sectors, highlighted international evidence of the benefits to consumers with trauma histories of changing service system responses.

The conference was part of a broader initiative towards a national agenda for TICP which MHCC and its collaborating partners, ASCA (Adults Surviving Child Abuse), ECAV (Education Centre against

Violence) and (PMHCCN) Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network Australia (PMHCCN) are driving. Our vision is to increase awareness and knowledge and drive an important policy and systemic change – promoting a cross-sectoral cultural shift to embrace the concept as core to service delivery across all health services. The aim is to create an environment more supportive, comprehensively integrated, empowering and therapeutic for consumers who are trauma survivors.

We need to address the failure of the existing mental health system to provide appropriate trauma-informed services to those impacted by inter-personal trauma who present with complex needs at a wide range of services. Many have not connected their current problems and behaviours with their prior trauma. Others have not disclosed or sought support previously. Some cannot recall their past trauma, while others only partially remember their traumatic pasts.

Increased funding for mental health has failed to acknowledge the prevalence of trauma, its dynamics and complexity.

However, the groundswell of interest in moving this agenda forward is encouraging. MHCC are establishing an advisory working group with members to be drawn from across the community, public and private sectors with knowledge and experience in the field. This is likely to involve a mini audit of service delivery and evaluation processes of evidence based practice in Australia and New Zealand; an investigation of existing gaps (e.g. inpatient services) and defining TIC in practice and determine what is transferable across sectors.

As part of the overall initiative MHCC have a micro-site devoted to TICP matters hosted at www.mhcc.org.au which includes some conference presentations and webcasts; news and events; research material as well as the opportunity to comment and share information and join the Network.

MHCC invite NADA members to visit the website and engage in developing a blueprint for our sectors. For further information contact ticp@mhcc.org.au

NADA ADVOCATE Issue 5 – October 2011

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Q&A with Rachel Merton, CEO Brain Injury Association NSW and Ciara Donaghy, Project Officer, NADA

The drug and alcohol sector is increasingly working with people with complex needs. The NADA Practice Enhancement Program Complex Needs Initiative is focusing on complexity beyond mental health to include people with drug and alcohol issues and cognitive impairment. Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is often hidden by a range of challenging behaviours making it difficult to identify and respond to. I spoke with Rachel Merton, CEO of Brain Injury Association NSW about the importance of considering ABI in drug and alcohol settings.

CD: Why should drug and alcohol organisations be interested in acquired brain injury (ABI)?RM: It is highly likely that they have clients with an acquired brain injury. ABI is quite common in the general population, but is over-represented in vulnerable and at-risk groups, including people with ongoing drug and/or alcohol problems, as well as those with criminal justice system interaction. It is estimated that more than 1 in 45 Australians (432,700 people) have an ABI that affects their everyday activity and social participation. More than 20,000 people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year from motor vehicle accidents, falls, and assaults; and at least another 20,000 sustain a non-traumatic brain injury following a stroke or drug/alcohol use.

CD: How does ABI impact a person’s life?RM: ABI can affect a person’s physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional and social functions. People with ABI tend to have a greater range of needs than people with other forms of disability, and are more likely to need help with cognitive and emotional tasks such as attention and concentration, and require help to improve memory, planning and organisation. There is a high rate of comorbidity with mental illness and/or other physical disabilities. For example, of people aged under 65 with an ABI:

•80% have another physical disability (neurological, cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, cerebral palsy, arthritis)

•40% have psychiatric disability

•39% have a sensory/speech disability

•29% have an intellectual disability.

Sometimes these were pre-existing prior to the ABI. In other cases, the ABI has increased the person’s vulnerability. For example, people with an ABI are at higher risk of experiencing anxiety and depression.

CD: Why do people with an ABI often become socially isolated?RM: ABI can be an ‘invisible’ disability, and behaviour is commonly misunderstood or ignored. Someone who is confused, frustrated or unmotivated as a result of their ABI may be misunderstood as belligerent, anti-social or deliberately obstructionist. As many as 30% of people with an ABI may exhibit challenging behaviours that others find frightening or confronting.

Due to lack of awareness and inadequate support, people with ABI are highly vulnerable to social isolation, abuse and exploitation. They frequently fall in the gaps between services. Mental health services may not want to see them because of the ABI, and there is limited capacity within ABI services to manage mental health problems. People with ABI frequently lose friends and family, and have difficulty making new friends. Having an ABI may significantly affect a person’s capacity to live independently, and increases vulnerability to substance abuse to regulate behaviour, self medicate or to fit in.

CD: What does this mean in practice for drug and alcohol organisations?RM: Working with people with an ABI can present a range of challenges, as they may not respond well to established practice. Each step, from initial engagement to ongoing commitment and achieving sustainable behaviour change, will present problems for someone who exhibits one or more of the following due to their ABI:

a. Executive functions, including the ability to: – Be proactive – Plan and organise, make judgements and decisions – Problem-solve – Learn from own mistakes – Be flexible in thinking and behaviour – See the consequences of behaviour

b. Memory can be significantly affected

c. Self-awareness can be affected, resulting in:

– Denial – Lack of insight – Attitude of unconcern – Lack of motivation – Dishinibition and impulsiveness.

The person with ABI may need more support to engage, and more frequent follow up to commit to a program. In many cases, commitment to change should be regarded as a treatment goal, not as a prerequisite to enter services.

We need some systemic changes and a partnership approach. Systems need to adapt to support each other. At the individual level, there are a number of strategies for working more effectively with people, including: presenting ideas and concepts concretely rather than abstractly; using memory triggers and repetition; and including the person’s broader family or community. Improving social networks and quality of life is crucial, and you may need specific strategies to support social integration.

CD: Where can drug and alcohol organisations get help or advice?RM: The Brain Injury Association is working with NADA to build better networks and relationships, as well as support NADA members to better understand and work with this client group. Both BIA NSW and arbias Ltd provide training and expertise on ABI.

Contact BIA NSW Phone (02) 9868 5261 Freecall1800 802 840 email@biansw.org.au www.biansw.org.au

More information on the NADA Practice Enhancement Project: Complex Needs Initiative is on the NADA website. Download the background information paper or contact Ciara on (02) 8113 1306.

Acquired Brain Injury and Drug and Alcohol – the Invisible Comorbidity

NADA ADVOCATE Issue 5 – October 2011

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Project update

Community Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Research Network – where to from here ...

Discussion and feedback from the NADA and MHCC hosted Research Network Forum, held on 24 August 2011, shows there is widespread interest from the mental health and drug and alcohol (MHDA) community sector, researchers and academics to be part of a research community, collaborating and producing research that contributes to the wellbeing of consumers and better treatment outcomes.

There is strong interest in peer discussion forums on research projects, methodology and practice. The Research Network activities will help to underpin sector-led research and support community managed organisations to engage in research. Sector-based research will also contribute to more involvement by consumers in research and build the evidence-base for innovative, effective therapies and services.

One of the first priorities of the Network is to establish a website and e-resources to support metropolitan and regional networking activities, and practitioner and novice researchers. Research skill development will be facilitated through a series of training workshops and a mentoring scheme. These activities will support a seeding grant scheme to commence in April 2012. The aim of the seeding grant scheme is to widen the involvement by MHDA community managed organisations to develop research projects and respond to research funding opportunities.

Developing appropriate formats and forums to meet the need of researchers in the sector is currently underway. The Research Network Coordinator, Deb Payne, is consulting with groups to determine how to best establish opportunities for peer review and discussions focusing on key issues and support the translation of research into policy and practice. The first of these meetings is likely to be in November 2011. Based at MHCC but working across both sectors, Deb can be contacted Tuesdays and Fridays on deb@mhcc.org.au.

L-R top: Tanya Merinda, NADA; Karen Fisher, Social Policy Research Centre, middle: UNSW; Craig Parsons, Neami; Martin Billingham, Oolong House; bottom: Julaine Allen, Lyndon Community; Grenville Rose, Aftercare.

Project update

Trauma Informed Care related workforce development opportunities

As part of NADA’s dedication to education and training in relation to trauma-informed care, NADA is offering members a free two day workshop on the Long Term Impacts of Child Abuse. This training is presented by the Mental Health Coordinating Council.

Long Term Impacts of Child Abuse – An Introduction WorkshopLIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

14 and 15 December 2011 NADA office, Level 2, 619 Elizabeth St, Redfern.

Register here or contact Mahlia.

Further training on working with clients with a lived experience of trauma can be found through (note: this list is not exhaustive):

Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA) www.asca.org.au/

Centre for Community Welfare Training (CCWT) www.acwa.asn.au/CCWT

Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV) www.ecav.health.nsw.gov.au

Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC), Learning & Development Unit (LDU) www.mhcc.org.au/learning-and-training/default.aspx

NSW Institute of Psychiatry (NSWIOP) www.nswiop.nsw.edu.au/

NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) www.startts.org.au/

Uniting Care Institute of Family Practice www.ifp.nsw.edu.au/

Further training and development in this area may be supported by utilising a NADA Training Grant. The next round of training grants will open in January and can include training for the January – June 2012 period. For more information on the NADA Training Grants program, click here.

NADA ADVOCATE Issue 5 – October 2011

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Advocacy action

September 2011 was NADA submission month!

We made the following submissions representing our members:

Substance Misuse Service Delivery Grant Funds – Department of Health and Ageing

Main advocacy points made: Supportive of program consolidation with the aim of reducing red tape; consultation process does not allow sufficient stakeholder contribution; fund flexibility welcomed to address emerging and specific drug and alcohol trends, particularly those of specific communities, however need to balance with longer term contracts; evaluation be part of all grant funding; use a sector capacity building model such as that with Improved Services.

Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund – Department of Health and Ageing

Main advocacy points: Supportive of funded organisation capacity building; consultation process does not allow sufficient stakeholder contribution; supportive of building research capacity, data collection and health promotion particularly relevant to NGO sector; resource quality improvement programs; standard funding agreement 3 to 5 years minimum; short term funding used only for new/trial programs; align outcomes and performance measures with State based funds; develop digital portals for communication and reporting.

Development of a Quality Framework and Outputs- and Outcomes-Based Funding Model – Department of Health and Ageing

Main advocacy points: quality improvement programs can provide a platform or framework for driving organisational change and implementing effective systems for improved client service delivery, however require significant human and financial

resources; include QI costs as part of grant; align QI requirements with State based requirements; remove additional activity requirements if covered by QI (i.e. risk assessments); funding reflects time to implement programs and demonstrate outcomes; annual indexation; monitoring and reporting costs included in grants; quantitative and qualitative measures used to identify outcomes, and consideration given to population groups, location and be proportional to the grant; utilise peak bodies for sector capacity building.

Review of Drug and Alcohol Central Intake Guidelines – Ministry of Health

Main advocacy points: Develop greater understanding of role and services provided by NGO sector to facilitate improved client treatment matching; clarify roles of LHD Central Intake Lines and ADIS; utilise improved technology to facilitate communication and referrals.

NSW Government $10M Funding Commitment – Ministry of Health

Main advocacy points: Fund residential and non residential client support to facilitate pharmacotherapy stabilisation, reduction and withdrawal; enhance case management, counselling, day and aftercare programs.

An Effective NSW Drug and Alcohol System – NSW Health Minister’s Office

Main advocacy points: Three core components to an effective drug and alcohol program model; service delivery includes health promotion/prevention, brief intervention, treatment and extended care, and populations; system development includes planning, research and evidence building, organisations and infrastructure, workforce, and partnerships; administration includes funding, outcomes, and reporting; all components need resourcing.

CEO’s report

At a national level, you may be aware of a number of recent consultations from the Department of Health and Ageing, as part of their consolidation of 159 programs into 18 ‘flexible funds’, This consolidation includes the current NGO Treatment Grants Program and the Improved Services Initiative, now in the Substance Misuse Service Delivery Grants Fund and the Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund respectively. Finalisation of fund details and advertising for applications as part of a competitive tendering process is expected in November/December, with grants to commence 1 July 2012. NADA will keep members posted on these developments.

Keep an eye on our website and fortnightly member email updates for more progress information on these and other issues that impact on the non government drug and alcohol sector. You can also contact me or any of the NADA team.

Tanya Merinda

A / CEO

NOFASARD September Newsletter

The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders Inc. (NOFASARD) is Australia’s peak body representing parents, carers and others interested in or affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

The NOFASARD September Newsletter is now available online here.

NADA AGM

NADA exists for its members, and the Annual General Meeting will summarise how we have performed this year and what’s ahead for the next year. Members will endorse next year’s auditor and have opportunity to meet with the Board and staff.

This year we will also be launching a number of sector development resources. Come along after the Member Forum at

Citigate Sydney from 4 to 5.15pm on the 5th of December and stay after for networking drinks and canapés.

Contact Victor or Tanya for more information.

NADA ADVOCATE Issue 5 – October 2011

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PO Box 2345 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012

Feedback: feedback@nada.org.au | www.nada.org.au | (02) 9698 8669

Larry Pierce Chief Executive Officer (02) 8113 1311

Tanya Merinda Director Planning Strategy (02) 8113 1312

Victor Dudman Business Manager (02) 8113 1305

Heidi Becker Program Manager (02) 8113 1317

Robert Stirling Program Manager (02) 8113 1320

David Kelly Program Manager (02) 8113 1315

Kevin Liu ISD Manager (02) 8113 1309

Ciara Donaghy Project Officer (02) 8113 1306

Nicole Stevens Project Officer (02) 8113 1308

Janice Yeon Project Officer (02) 8113 1365

Mahlia Sepple Project Support Officer (02) 8113 1319

Administration Officer Administration Officer (02) 8113 1310

Contact

Sector development

Sector Development Resources

NADA has been busy working on some resources that we plan to launch at the NADA AGM on 5 December.

The Sector Orientation (we’re trying to come up with a more exciting name) will describe the role and value of the non government drug and alcohol sector in NSW, development of the sector, and its connection with broader health and community services. Aimed at new and prospective workers, as well as the wider health and community services sector, government departments, politicians and community members, this resource will be freely available for use as an introductory guide and advocacy tool.

Looking for a Governance Toolkit to build your organisation’s knowledge and practice in effective governance? This resource, developed for NADA members, discusses the basics of governance, characteristics of effective Boards, legal requirements, practical templates and links to further information.

The NADA and ACHS EQuIP Resource Tool is being updated to align with EQuIP5, with much more content in the criterion description and evidence suggestions. It will have improved functionality, appearance, and be more suited electronic viewing.

QI Update

Quality Management Services (QMS) is offering NSW Health funded NGOs access to a range of quality improvement

programs at subsidised rates. Such programs include: QIC Accreditation; QIC Service Development; Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES) Award; and ASES Certificate. Some eligibility criteria includes: your organisation receives less than $1M NSW Health funding annually, and more than 50% of your funding is from NSW Health. Contact QMS for more information and an expression of interest form: email geetha.k@qms.org.au or check website www.qms.org.au.

QI Update Too

Congratulations to Oolong Aboriginal Corporation in Nowra for receiving 4 year accreditation through the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.

Farewell GeraldineAfter several years as our trusty Administration Officer, Geraldine is moving on to a different role in the community sector.

Her sociology and community welfare related degree and diploma will serve her well in working with women leaving prison. NADA thanks Geraldine for her professional and friendly way of working, always ready to pitch in with whatever needed to be done.

We wish her well and know she will be looked after working in one of our member organisations.