PeakCare-QATSICPP Survey - two short of 2,000
PeakCare and QATSICPP thank all who responded to our survey released on 19th June. We fell two short of our target of 2000 survey respondents – a fantastic effort! With several hundred pages of comments entered into the survey, it is apparent that the 1,998 people who responded were not shy in stating their opinions. With so much information having been collected, our plan is to release the survey findings in a number of instalments – an overview of the findings followed by a series of reports focussed on specific subject matters concluding with a report on what the survey respondents stated was missing from the LNP's plan to overhaul child safety system. The survey findings will provide a wealth of information that can add to the bipartisan dialogue agreed to by Premier Palaszczuk and Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington about improvements that can be made to Queensland’s child protection system. Once again, thank you to all who contributed to this important dialogue.
Next Steps Plus
From October 2018, eligibility for after care services were extended for young people in Queensland leaving care from the age of 21 to 25 years old. The Next Step Plus program adopts a collaborative approach to providing support to young people leaving care with service providers working closely with Child Safety Officers to undertake early planning while a young person is still in care and once they have transitioned out of care, providing more tailored and integrated responses and supports. Next Step Plus service providers have been funded to support eligible young people aged 15 to 25 years of age. To view the list of Next Step Plus service providers in Queensland by region, visit the Queensland government's After Your Transition From Care page. For more information on Next Step Plus, view the FAQ and fact sheet.
Free modules to change the narrative around parenting in Australia
The Parenting Research Centre has released free online modules designed to help change the narrative around parenting in Australia in a way that better supports children and families to thrive. The modules are designed for anyone whose work focuses on children and families, including teachers, policymakers or community service professionals, to promote ways of talking about parenting that are more effective in engaging and equipping parents to support their childrens’ healthy development. The new modules form part of the Reframing Parenting project, which the Parenting Research Centre has been leading alongside the Frameworks Institute, with support from the Department of Social Services. Access the modules.
Raise the Age of criminal responsibility in Australia
Join the discussion about keeping kids in community - not custody, by viewing a Q&A facilitated by Professor Larissa Behrendt and featured Children's Ground Chairperson William Tilmouth, Indigenous Advisor for Amnesty International Australia Rodney Dillon and Shahleena Musk, Senior Lawyer at Human Rights Law Centre. Australia's age of criminal responsibility is currently 10, years behind the international standard of 14. Evidence is conclusive that when children this young are forced through a criminal legal process at such a formative age, they can suffer immense harm to their health, wellbeing and future. The documentary film In My Blood It Runs is also available to view for free on ABC iView until Tuesday, 4th August. The film follows 10 year old Arrernte/Garrwa boy Dujuan and his family in Alice Springs, and charts the challenges Dujuan faces in his school and the increasing scrutiny he experiences from welfare and the police. Australian Attorneys-General will meet on Monday. 27th July to discuss raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility, so your voice is crucial.
Victim Assist updated online information sessions
Victim Assist Queensland is rolling out a new system for assessing applications for financial assistance. To learn more about the streamlined new process and how to help clients apply, free online information sessions are being held via ZOOM for workers supporting victims of violent crime in Queensland. Sessions are being held Wednesday, 22nd July 10.30am-12pm or Thursday, 30th July 1.30pm-3pm. To join RSVP to VAQcommunications@justice.qld.gov.au with the preferred date and time.
I Speak Your Language during COVID-19
The free government service I Speak Your Language could offer invaluable social support to multicultural families and individuals during COVID-19. I Speak Your Language is a free telephone support program that connects people with a volunteer who speaks their language, and can offer access to reliable information on COVID-19. Each week, participants get a call and have a social chat to help them feel more connected with community and culture. Languages include: Russian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, English, German, Korean, Arabic, French, Tagalog, Bulgarian, Bengali, Tamil, Slovenian, Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, Gujarati, Punjabi, Farsi, Hindi, Dari, Ukrainian, Bangla, Macedonian, Portuguese, Hungarian, Romanian, Samoan, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka, Hokkein, Malay, Chin Hakha, Chin Mizo. View the flyer to find out more.
New podcast highlighting the voices of young people with a care experience
Voices in Action is a free podcast by CREATE Foundation to highlight the voices of children and young people with a care experience. The podcast launched yesterday, 13th July. The podcast provides an opportunity to hear directly from young people and provide a space for them to discuss the issues they see as important- issues such as transitioning from care, extending support to 21, the challenges they have faced, and their goals and aspirations moving forward into adulthood. The podcast is currently available on Apple and Spotify.
New COVID-19 telephone service for health professionals supporting clients with disability
A new telephone service is now available to provide specialised advice exclusively for health professionals responsible for the medical care of people with disability diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Calls will be answered by health professionals with disability service qualifications and experience working with people with disability. The service will be available on 1800 131 330 between 7am – 11pm (AEST) 7 days a week. The service will be available for a six week trial, at which point it will be assessed based on utilisation and future need. The service aims to support people with disability to receive more tailored support from mainstream health, as specific support may be required to address communication and management issues, such as behaviours of concern and the reduction of risk to the patient and staff involved in the process.
Transition to new Blue Card Organisational Portal
The Blue Card Services Organisation Portal is a free, online system designed to help organisations manage their blue card obligations and records more easily. It will enable organisations to see their blue card records in one place, perform tasks in real time, and will allow for secure exchange of sensitive information. When complete, the Organisation Portal will be an adaptable and user-friendly one-stop-shop for the management of blue card records. If your organisation is responsible for managing blue card records and obligations, the Organisation Portal can help you! Find out more about the Organisation Portal in this presentation. Contact the Blue Card team via organisationportal@bluecard.qld.gov.au with any questions about the transition.
Raise the Rate of income payments permanently
Today, 14th July, is the National Day of Action in support of #raisetherate, where hundreds of communities will join together to call on the Australian Government to Raise the Rate For Good. The Statement of Support developed by ACOSS to permanently raise the rate of JobSeeker (previously Newstart), Youth Allowance and related payments is now available online. Join PeakCare in signing the statement to support this important change to basic income in Australia. As we confront what will be a long-term economic downturn, we cannot turn our backs on those who are at risk of being left behind.
Life-changing grants to help Queensland's most vulnerable
Expressions of interest are now open for the Women and Change grant of up to $50,000 to support projects that address social disadvantage in Queensland. Since 2014, Queensland's first women’s giving circle Women and Change has offered eligible charities with DGR status the chance to create lasting change in Queensland’s most vulnerable communities. So far, Women and Change members have funded more than $300,000 worth of projects to support refugees, families in remote areas, young people living with chronic pain, teenage carers, children of mothers who are incarcerated, women experiencing domestic violence and newborn babies. National organisations are welcome to apply but all funds must be spent in Queensland within 12 months of the grant being awarded each November. Expressions of interest close Friday, 28th August. Click here for more details and to apply.
Have your say on the state of the Australian community sector and the impact of COVID-19
The Australian Community Sector COVID-19 Survey is an opportunity to share your experiences of the COVID-19 crisis and help to identify priorities for the sector in coming months. Findings from the survey will government, the COVID Commission and other policy makers about critical issues affecting the community sector and any gaps in social services emerging during the COVID-19 early recovery period. All Queensland community sector staff are being asked to complete the picture of current issues and the impacts of COVID-19 on the sector. Information provided in the survey is confidential. If you complete the survey you will be given the option to enter a draw to win one of three $100 Coles-Myer shopping vouchers as a token of appreciation. The survey can be completed online and closes Tuesday, 21st July.
National Pyjama Day 2020 is on next week!
National Pyjama Day is on Friday. 17th July, so join schools and businesses across the country, jump into your favourite PJ's and help raise vital funds for children in foster care. Free host kits will continue to be sent out to every individual and group who register to hold an event in support of the day. Groups have held their days in support of the campaign as late as September, so it's not too late to register, but to join in the fun next Friday, register to receive a kit as soon as possible.
Nominations closing soon for 2021 Australian of the Year Awards
The Australian of the Year Awards is a great opportunity to nominate an outstanding Queenslander whose achievements and contributions are making a positive impact in your community or across the state for an Australian of the Year Award. Nominations can be made across four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (those aged 65 years or over), Young Australian of the Year (ages 16 to 30), and Australia's Local Hero. Nominations close Friday, 31st July. Nominate online now.
