News
27th March 2015 MENTAL HEALTH COMPLAINTS COMMISSIONER
by HomeGround
The Mental Health Complaints Commissioner is an independent voice working for positive change in Victoria’s mental health system and Lynne Coulson Barr is the first ever Mental Health Complaints Commissioner. At a forum held in Yarra last week she made it clear that she is interested in hearing about systemic problems and barriers for certain groups (like people experiencing homelessness). http://mhcc.vic.gov.au/commissioner.htm
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23rd March 2015 TWO YEAR NPAH FUNDING EXTENSION OFFER
by Western Homlessness Network Coordinator
The Abbott government will extend homelessness funding for another two years, providing $230 million for the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness. If States and Territories agree to the offer, this will extend homelessness funding until 30 June 2017. The Department of Social Services has announced that priority will be given to services assisting women and children experiencing family violence and young people who are homeless. However, States and Territories have still hold responsibility for determining allocation of the funds.
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18th March 2015 RESPONDING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT TRAINING
by CASA House
Wednesday, 18 March, 2015 in Melbourne CBD. The workshop will assist those working with victim/survivors of sexual assault who have not had the opportunity to access training previously. It is also suitable for students.
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12th March 2015 'HOW I CAN STOP SMOKING": NEW PRINT RESOUNCES
by Quit Victoria
Quit Victoria has drawn on its work with homelessness agencies to inform new print resources for helping clients to stop smoking: * ‘How I can stop smoking’ wallet sized card (for clients of social services, and to prompt a conversation between clients and workers), and * a short booklet version with more in-depth information. To order free copies of the wallet card or the booklet please visit: http://quit.org.au/resource-centre/resources/ More information: Ben.O'Mara@cancervic.org.au
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12th March 2015 OLDER WOMENS'S PATHWAYS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTRALIA: REPORT
by Mercy Foundation
The Hon. Anna Bligh, CEO YWCA NSW and Dr Maree Petersen, University of Queensland launched the report "Older women's pathways out of homelessness in Australia". There is strong anecdotal evidence that a growing group of people becoming homeless in Australia are women aged over 55. The Mercy Foundation commissioned a research report from the University of Queensland to investigate this issue and look at possible solutions to the problem. Dr Maree Petersen and Dr Cameron Parsell undertook the research. Dr Petersen will be present at the official launch.
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12th March 2015 NEW AP TO BLOCK BULLYING
by Kerrys Computer Inc
A new app designed to stop and report bullies is set to take off on mobile phones around the world.
BullyBackOff is a password protected mobile phone app with built in settings to block and report messages classed as threatening. It sends out a strong message that the threatening behaviour will not be tolerated. Versions are available for adults and children.
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27th February 2015 NATIONL SHELTER PEAKS CAMPAIGN
by National Shelter
Funded housing peaks critical to consultation processes National Shelter are continuing their campaign to stop federal government cuts to the voice of vulnerable people in the housing system. They recently appeared before the Senate Economics Committee to stress the importance of funded peaks in strong consultation processes.
National Shelter, CHFA and Homelessness Australia all face withdrawal of funding at 30 June this year. Without funded peaks, people who are vulnerable in or excluded from the housing system will be without a voice in the housing and homelessness policy decisions which have fundamental impacts on their lives.
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27th February 2015 WOMEN'S HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM: WEEKLY OUTREACH CLINIC
by Homeless Law
Homeless Law is commencing a weekly outreach clinic for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness on: 8 April 2014. Free call 1800 606 313 for legal assistance. The Women’s Homelessness Prevention Project (WHPP) is an initiative of Justice Connect's
Homeless Law service. WHPP provides a weekly outreach clinic, staffed by pro bono lawyers at a central CBD location on Tuesdays.
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23rd February 2015 SINGLE SESSION FAMILY CONSULTATIONS AND SINGLE SESSION WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES - MELBOURNE
by Family Reconciliation Mediation Program (FRMP)
FRMP is very pleased to be able to offer this training to the homelessness sector, in partnership with the Bouverie Centre, on single session work with young people and families. This training will be offered three times in Melbourne and five times in rural Victoria, with eight reflective practice sessions offered as follow up for training participants. Learnings from the training will be consolidated at the next FRMP Conference, currently scheduled for March 2015.
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13th February 2015 WOMENS' EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM IN THE WEST
by VincentCare
The Women's Early Intervention Program offers case managed support to single women over 18 who are at risk of losing their tenancy.
The person may present with a range of issues including:
Multiple and complex needs such as:
•Alcohol and Other Drugs
•Mental Health
•Legal
•General health
•Emotional Wellbeing
•Breakdown in coping skills threatening their capacity to live independently
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10th February 2015 INFORMATION FOR SEPARATING PARENTS
by Family Dispute Resolution
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) can help families who are separating and want to resolve issues around arrangements for their children by creating opportunity for parents to discuss how they can best continue to parent while maintaining a focus on their child or children’s best interests.
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15th January 2015 REFORM OF FEDERATION ISSUES PAPER 2: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
by Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Australian Government would like as many people as possible to think about how our federal system of government can be improved, particularly in relation to roles and responsibilities in housing and homelessness. To this end Reform of Federation Issues paper 2: Roles and Responsibilities in Housing and Homelessness has been developed. This paper is one of several issues papers that will inform the Green and White Papers on the Reform of the Federation.
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23rd December 2014 HOMELESSNESS AUSTRALIA AND OTHER PEAK BODIES DEFUNDED AFTER 30 JUNE 2015
by Western Homlessness Network Coordinator
News has just broken that our National Peak Bodies (Homelessness Australia, National Shelter, Community Housing Federation Australia and Financial Counselling Australia) have been advised this week that they will lose their funding from 30 June.
The Electoral Office phone number for the new Minister for Social Services, Scott Morrison is 02) 9523 0339.
Sad news just before Christmas, significantly reducing our capacity to represent the voices of people who are homeless and/or experiencing family violence at the federal level.
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