News
5th June 2015 WOMENS HEATH IN THE NORTH SUBMISSION TO VICTORIAN ROYAL COMMISSION INTO FAMILY VIOLENCE
by Womens Health in the North(WHIN)
Womens Health in the North(WHIN) submission identifies key issues and challenges related to family violence, as identified by WHIN and its regional partners, the submission highlights effective or promising solutions to those issues, and makes suggestions for action required to support and further develop the solutions. WHIN consulted with more than 60 regional partners in the development of the submission to ensure the incorporation of input that reflects the experiences of organisations involved in the NIFVS partnership and the NMR Preventing Violence against Women Committee. The recommendations reflect many suggestions made by partners in our work in the northern metropolitan region(NMR).
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28th May 2015 PRECARIOUS HOUSING CAREERS: THE QUIET REVOLUTION IN AUSTRALIAN HOUSING
by Brotherhood of St Laurence Research and Policy Centre
Brotherhood of St Laurence Lunchtime Seminar
by Professor Gavin Wood A quiet revolution in home ownership and housing finance is ushering in a new era for the Australian housing system. The old era was characterised by a relatively risk free housing pathway – departure from the family home was followed by a short period renting during which a deposit is saved, before a home is purchased with the aid of a mortgage. Typically a household’s mortgage was paid off while working so that in retirement couples and singles could live comfortably on the age pension because housing costs were zero. For the small numbers of disadvantaged Australians that could not attain ownership, public housing offered a secure refuge. This secure pathway has been eroded and most low income households in the early stages of their housing careers are now facing an uncertain housing future. This seminar will document how we have reached this point, and the wider ramifications for the Australian welfare state. It will conclude by exploring policy initiatives that could address emerging issues in the contemporary Australian Housing System. Gavin Wood is Emeritus Professor of Housing and Urban Studies at RMIT University and Guest Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment, TU Delft. Netherlands. He also holds and Adjunct Professor position in the School of Economics, Finance and Property Studies, Curtin University, Western Australia. He previously held positions in the economics departments of Murdoch University (Western Australia), the University of Glasgow and University of Aberdeen (Scotland).
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22nd May 2015 'THE LINE' RELAUNCHED
by Children's Resource Workers
The Line is a primary prevention behaviour change campaign for young people aged 12 to 20 years. The Line encourages healthy and respectful relationships by challenging and changing attitudes and behaviours that support violence.
Click here: http://www.theline.org.au/
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23rd April 2015 LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION VIDEO ON OUT OF HOME CARE SYSTEM AND MOVES TOWARDS THERAPEUTIC CARE
by Lighthouse Institute
The Lighthouse foundation in partnership with with Creativa videos recently launched an animated video that explores the shocking reality as well as the cost of youth homelessness in Australia, the way young people have been cared for over the year in the out of home care system, and the move towards therapeutic care which will provide young people hope for a better future. Please take the time to watch and share this poignant and thought provoking video.
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23rd April 2015 EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM FOR THE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY IN THE NORTH
by VACCA
VACCA is one of the successful services to be providing Department of Social Services funded Emergency Relief in your area.
Our Emergency Relief program provides a culturally respectful service to help the Aboriginal Community to address immediate basic needs in times of financial crisis. Emergency relief is a safety net for people experiencing financial distress or hardship and who have limited means or resources to help them alleviate their financial crisis.
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23rd April 2015 YOUTH HOMELESSNESS MATTERS DAY - MEDIA IN WYNDHAM
by Star Observer
Please find attached an article from the Star Observer reporting on youth homelessness in Wyndham and the work of the H3 alliance to lobby for a crisis intervention faclity for single people and families who are homeless in Wyndham.
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13th April 2015 $572M OVER TWO YEARS TO ENACT ROYAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
by Premier of Victoria
This $572 million statewide funding boost over two years in the 2016/17 Victorian Budget responds to Royal Commission recommendations that must be done now – including more housing and crisis refuges, more counsellors, more prevention programs and more support for children who are victims of family violence. This package begins to deliver 65 of the Royal Commission’s most urgent recommendations and is the first step in the long-term process to fix our broken system and change attitudes towards women. The Labor Government’s family violence package, which puts victims at the heart of our reforms, includes:
• $152.5 million to begin a housing blitz to shelter more victims so they don’t have to choose between homelessness and returning to an abusive relationship. Work will commence on building and redeveloping family violence refuges, expanding crisis accommodation, and rapidly funding up to 130 new social housing homes. Victims will also be kept safe at home through innovative options such as help accessing the private rental market. See the attached press rellease for further information.
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10th April 2015 SUPPORTING YOUNG CHILDREN'S RIGHTS: STATEMENT OF INTENT (2015-2018)
by Early Childhood Australia and the National Children's Commissioner
Supporting young children’s rights: Statement of Supporting young children’s rights: Statement of intent (2015–2018) provides high-level principles and areas for collective work, advocacy and action by Early Childhood Australia (ECA), its members and the National Children’s Commissioner in relation to the rights of young children—including children from birth to primary school age—over the next three years.
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10th April 2015 NEW LOOK NORTHERN INTEGRATED FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICES WEBSITE
by Northern Integrated Family Violence Services NIFVs
Introducing the new-look Northern Integrated Family Violence Services website (nifvs.org.au).
The website is a hub of information for workers supporting women’s and children’s safety in Melbourne’s northern metropolitan region.
The website features a service directory with details of family violence and other services in the region—including crisis, intake, therapeutic, Aboriginal, CALD and legal services. It also features family violence sector news, events and training relevant to those working in the northern region.
You will also find intake pathways for clients in the northern region and resources for working with particular client groups on the new website.
By visiting the website, you can find out more about the NIFVS partnership and how to become involved in the work of family violence integration.
It is anticipated that the new website will be a useful tool in supporting integration across the region.
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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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