The ACT ATOD sector is committed to advancing reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians; and to improving the quality, including the cultural security, of its practice and services.
To support and drive this work, an ACT ATOD Sector Reconciliation Working Group has been established by all ACT Health funded and delivered ATOD services in partnership with ATODA and Gulanga Program, ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS).
Building on this work, a range of activities have occurred in recent months to proactively address issues and strengthen the cultural security of our practice. A summary of activities and related resources is provided below:
Reconciliation Working Group
The Reconciliation Working Group seeks to support ATOD programs to specifically take action within their organisational development context of reconciliation. This means that all programs can participate in this process regardless of where the organisation is in terms of existing Reconciliation Action Plans.
This process will also enable the sector to identify some ATOD specific actions that relate to the field, such as implementing the Indigenous Risk Impact Screen which is the only validated comorbidity screening tool for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.
The group’s work is facilitated by both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other facilitators through ACTCOSS and supported by ATODA.
If you have questions or would like to join or provide some input to, please contact ATODA at
info@atoda.org.au or (02) 6255 4070 or visit
www.atoda.org.au/projects/act-atod-sector-reconciliation-working-group
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ATOD Workforce Development Workshop
On the 17 December 2013, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ATOD Workers Workshop, facilitated by Professor Kerry Arabena, was hosted by ATODA. The workshop aimed to proactively gather ACT-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alcohol, tobacco and other drug workers to generate ideas on supporting and strengthening the current and future workforce (to inform a proposal drafted by ATODA – see next item). ATODA would like to warmly thank the participants for sharing their knowledge and providing valued input.
Proposal to Strengthen the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ATOD Workforce
Building on the December 2013 workshop and other activities to date, a proposal has been developed to implement culturally secure, needs and evidence-based strategies to grow and strengthen the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) workforce. The proposal outlines a range of initiatives that work toward:
- Meeting the current and future ATOD treatment and support needs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT
- Addressing the disproportionate burden of ill health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT continue to suffer as a result of ATOD
- Increasing the quality and capacity of existing ATOD services to achieve positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Improving networking, mentoring and support for the existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ATOD workforce and better ensure joint planning processes and participation in decision making
Potential activities include:
- Coordination and support
- Supporting the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ATOD workforce to progress an identified professional development priority
- Establishing an ATOD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workers Network
- Providing subsidised ATOD qualifications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers not currently employed in the ATOD sector
- Obtaining a better understanding of the profile of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ATOD workforce
- Supporting student placements for the potential future workforce (i.e. those undertaking the mainstream Certificate IV in AOD studies)
- Building the cultural security of the ATOD sector
To download the proposal
click here.
Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft proposal by 21 March 2014. Please contact Carrie Fowlie for a chat or visit on carrie@atoda.org.au or (02) 6255 4070
Strengthening the Cultural Security of our Practice Workshops
The Strengthening the Cultural Security of our Practice Workshops were held on Monday 10 February 2014 at the ANU Commons Function Centre with facilitator and presenter Ms Jill Rundle, CEO, Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (WANADA).
This event included two workshops: Implementing the Cultural Secure Standard (Alcohol and Other Drug Sector) in the ACT and Culturally Secure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment and Retention. It was hosted by ATODA in collaboration with WANADA.
The workshops brought together workers from the ACT ATOD sector and allied sectors to learn from the experiences of WANADA, exchange ideas and engage in future collaborations. The workshop sought to begin proactively addressing issues raised at the 2013 ACT ATOD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workers Workshop and to contribute to broader ACT ATOD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce development initiatives. It was also seeking to progress priority areas for action identified by the ACT ATOD Reconciliation Working Group.
ATODA would like to warmly thank the participants for sharing their knowledge and expertise, and the speakers including:
Mr Fred Monaghan
Ngunnawal Elder
Mr Monaghan gave Welcome to Country to open the workshop.
Ms Jill Rundle
Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA)
Contact details: jill.rundle@wanada.org.au
Ms Julie Butler
Gulanga Program, ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS)
Contact details: julie@actcoss.org.au
Mr Keith Brandy
Gulanga Program, ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS)
Contact details: keith.brandy@actcoss.org.au
To download photos from the workshop click here.
Workshop One: Implementing the Standard on Culturally Secure Practice (Alcohol and other Drug Sector) in the ACT
The Standard on Culturally Secure Practice (Alcohol and other Drug Sector) allows ATOD services throughout Australia to work towards certification against a standard which is relevant to ATOD work. The Standard was developed by WANADA, ATODA’s sister peak body. This Standard is the first to focus on cultural security and the first to be developed by and for the AOD sector. The cultural security of the Standard enables consideration of AOD services that work with specific population groups, including women, youth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Throughout this workshop, Ms Rundle talked about WANADA and the Western Australia (WA) Alcohol and Other Drug sector. She shared her experiences and reflection in working with ATOD services to strengthen their cultural security in WA. She also did an overview of the Standard on Culturally Secure Practice (Alcohol and other Drug Sector) describing the background, performance expectations and the elements outlines. This Standard is the first to focus on cultural security and the first to be developed by and for the AOD sector.
For more information: See Ms Rundle’s
presentation
Documents and Resources:
Workshop Two: Culturally Secure Recruitment and Retention
In the afternoon session, Ms Rundle addressed the ATOD sector specific considerations related to recruitment and retention and shared her experience in working with ATOD services to strengthen recruitment and retention practices in WA. She also did an overview of the principles outlined in the Culturally Secure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment and Retention Guide and discussed recruitment and retention issues. The Culturally Secure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment and Retention Guide is designed to provide CEOs and line managers with a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and their culture. This guide provides useful tips and examples of positive approaches to recruiting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.
For more information: See Ms Rundle’s
presentation
Documents and Resources:
Following this, Keith Brandy and Julie Butler from the Gulanga Program at the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) introduced the audience to the Gulanga program, the cultural resources and other sources of support for workers (including examples of good practice). They then led a discussion with services to identify what they can do better to support existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.
For more information about the Gulanga Program: Visit the
ACTCOSS website
Documents and Resources:
Feedback from the Workshop
Overall, participants were satisfied with the the workshops. Participants also generally agreed that the workshop was effective in providing:
- An overview of the Standard on Culturally Secure Practice (AOD sector)
- An opportunity to reflect on strengthening cultural security in your organisation
- A better understanding of why cultural security is important for recruitment and retention
60% would consider implementing the Standard on Culturally Secure Practice in their organisation.
Acknowledgements
ATODA would like to acknowledge:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and organisations who have provided input and support
- Gulanga Program and ACTCOSS
- ATODA members
- Specialist ATOD services
- WANADA
- ACT Health
- Substance Misuse and Service Delivery Grants Fund, Department of Health
