Thursday 14 May 2015

June PD opportunities

Write – presentations and papers

Rural and remote mental health symposium
Abstracts now open for the symposium and this year’s topic is Innovation and Opportunity
Conference topics include:
  • Working smarter: overcoming the challenges and innovative solutions
  • Developing programs that build resilience, reduce stigma and offer accessibility to services
  • Service delivery strategies, development, implementation, management and evaluation
  • Child and youth mental health: prevention and early intervention
  • e-Health, tele-Health, technology and social media
  • Suicidal and self-harming: behaviour and prevention
  • Aboriginal health and engagement
  • Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community programs, support and education
  • Recovery in the Bush
  • Building healthy communities: policy, practice, community innovation
  • Employment opportunities for better health outcomes
  • The voice of the lived experience
Submissions due: 17th July 2015
http://anzmh.asn.au/rrmh/


The 2015 Australian Stop Domestic Violence Conference
Abstracts now open for this year’s conference on the topic of “Connecting the dots…”
Presentation topics include:
  • Community (e.g. Educational Programs, Homelessness, Intervention, Helplines)
  • Communication and Interstate Collaboration
  • Law Enforcement, Protection and Legal System
  • Government and Policy Making
  • Mental Health (e.g. Impact on service provider personnel, Preventative care, Access to services, Identification of core issues and diagnosis)
  • Indigenous Communities
  • Special Topics/Open (e.g. Children, CALD, Disability, Elder Abuse, IPV and Sexual Assault, LBGTI, Parental Violence)
  • Research
Authors or organisations interested in speaking at the Conference, are invited to submit an abstract or paper of no more than 300 words outlining the aims, contents and conclusions of their paper or presentation; or about their intended role in a workshop.
There are spots available for oral presentations, workshops, and poster presentations.
Submissions due: 29th August
http://stopdomesticviolence.com.au/submit-abstract/
  

Read – professional reading

Keane, C., Magee, C. A. and Lee, J. K. (2015), Childhood trauma and risky alcohol consumption: A study of Australian adults with low housing stability. Drug and Alcohol Review, 34: 18–26.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12177/abstract

Wardle, J. L., & Chang, S. (2015). Cross‐promotional alcohol discounting in Australia's grocery sector: a barrier to initiatives to curb excessive alcohol consumption?. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 39 (2): 124-128.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1753-6405.12291/epdf

Posselt, M., Procter, N., Galletly, C., & Crespigny, C. (2015). Aetiology of Coexisting Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders: Perspectives of Refugee Youth and Service Providers. Australian Psychologist, 50(2), 130-140.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ap.12096/epdf

Gowing, L. R., Ali, R. L., Allsop, S., Marsden, J., Turf, E. E., West, R., and Witton, J. (2015), Global statistics on addictive behaviours: 2014 status report. Addiction, 110, 904–919.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.12899/epdf

 
Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)
This internal professional development session is held both in the library and via Lync meeting this month.  June’s session is being presented by the Library (woot!) looking at some amazing article (yet to be determined).
When: Wednesday, 17th June, 10am

Questionnaire design for social surveys
This course covers the basic elements of designing and evaluating questionnaires.  The process of responding to questions, challenges and options for asking questions about behavioral frequencies, practical techniques for evaluating questions, mode specific questionnaire characteristics, and review methods of standardized and conversational interviewing is reviewed.
Duration: 6 weeks, 4-8hr/wk
Cost: free or $63 to receive verified certificate
Starts: 1st June
https://www.coursera.org/course/questionnairedesign

Becoming a resilient person: the science of stress management
The purpose of this course is to teach individuals the science behind becoming a resilient person. Stated simply, resilience is the ability to survive and thrive. Resiliency is not only about your ability to positively adapt in the face of adverse or challenging circumstances (that is, survive), but it is also about learning the positive skills, strategies and routines that enable you to live a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful life (in other words, thrive). This course gives you the permission to take care of yourself in order to effectively manage life stressors and do what matters most in life.
Duration: 8 weeks, 2-3hr/wk
Starts: 2nd June
https://www.edx.org/course/becoming-resilient-person-science-stress-uwashingtonx-ecfs311x-0#!

 
Attend - conferences

2015 National Aboriginal Wellbeing Conference
This year’s conference theme will be “Lateral Violence – Everybody’s Business” and the conference will focus on the issues related to lateral violence and showcase the innovative programs being delivered within our communities to address the effects to ourselves and our families. 
When: 9-10th June
Where: Ballina, NSW
Cost: $450
http://www.aboriginalwellbeingconference.com/

AH & MRC Harm Minimisation Summit
Registrations are open for the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW ‘Sustainable Futures: Investing in Everyone’ Summit.  The Summit will focus on identifying the most effective ways to address injecting drug use in Aboriginal communities using a harm minimisation framework, and is for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service staff, Aboriginal workers from other settings and others who work with Aboriginal communities in NSW around injecting drug use.
When: 10-12th June
Where: Sydney
Cost: $250
http://bit.ly/1Rj2MuL

Suicide and self-harm prevention conference
The Suicide & Self-harm Prevention Conference 2015 is about bringing together researchers, practitioners, health workers, the “key players” within the suicide prevention sector, those within the community and anyone affected by suicide.
When: 24-26th June
Where: Cairns
Cost: See website for packages
http://www.kochfoundation.org.au/Suicide-Prevention-Conference-2015.77.0.html

 
Listen – podcasts, webinars

‘Troubled’ or ‘disadvantaged’ families?
Podcast conversation with Sue Bond-Taylor Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Lincoln, England.  Troubled Families programs have been introduced in England for those most ‘troubled’ families. Sue Bond-Taylor discusses an evaluation of one these programs and the differences between political and practice meanings of words like empowerment and troubled.
Duration: 32mins
http://www.podsocs.com/podcast/troubled-or-disadvantaged-families/

ReGen - Innovation in action seminar 2015
View presentations from this year’s “Innovation in Action” seminar held on 30th April.
Video footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euF5UnP3KCs&feature=youtu.be&a
Slides/presentations:
http://www.slideshare.net/ReGenUC

Gender identity: responding to gender incongruence and/or people who identify as Transgender
MindOUT!’s seminar/webinar from April is up and available for viewing
Duration: 1hr
http://www.instantpresenter.com/WebConference/RecordingDefault.aspx?c_psrid=EB55D784864B

Insight Webinars
Catch up on the Insight webinars you’ve missed on their Vimeo channel
https://vimeo.com/user38079975

NCPIC Quitting cannabis 1-6 sessions - clinical interventions
The National Cannabis Prevention & Information Centre UNSW is presenting a new 4-part webinar series ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ starting in three weeks on 12, 19, 26 June and 3 July 2015.  Registration and attendance for each of the four ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ 1 hour webinars is free of charge.  The intervention is especially suitable for counsellors and psychologists who have a thorough understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
NCPIC 12th June 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ PART 1 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_12th_June_2015

NCPIC 19th June 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ PART 2 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_19th_June_2015

NCPIC 26th June 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ PART 3 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_26th_June_2015

NCPIC 3rd July 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ PART 4 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_3rd_July_2015
 

Assessed learning – short courses, certs, dip., bachelors, post-grad

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in AOD studies
The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in AOD Studies deliver an applied approach to alcohol and drug studies with subjects including; Assessment, Treatment and Planning, Counselling Interventions, Group Work, Dual Diagnosis as well as Evaluation and Reflective Practice. Graduates may be employed in the specialist AOD field and satisfy requirements for the Minimum Qualification Strategy for working in services funded by the Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria. Graduates can take on more senior specialist AOD clinical and treatment roles, as well as roles in research, evaluation and policy development. Applicants require a bachelor degree in a relevant discipline and must apply through Turning Point. Most subjects in the courses are delivered online. The graduate awards are received from Turning Point.
Applications due for mid-year entry: 15th July, 2015
Delivery: Online
For costs and prerequisite requirements see website
http://www.turningpoint.org.au/Education/Graduate-Programs.aspx

Wednesday 13 May 2015

Federal budget 2015/16

Here are a few of the relevant points from last night's budget for AOD and mental health.



New way of working for grants
$55.6 million over 3 years to continue front line community services whilst the "New Way of Working for Grants" framework is implemented. 

Illicit drugs campaign
$20 million over 2 years to renew the National Drug Campaign, a media campaign to prevent and encourage people to cease illicit drug use.  No surprises at the documented focus on "ice".

Streamlining health services

Cuts in funding including cuts to the Health Portfolio Flexible Funds

Plain packaging litigation
Undisclosed amount will be given to defend international legal challenges to the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011,

NDIS
Sector Development Fund to be transferred to the Department of Social Services from the National Disability Insurance Agency.  NDIA will continue with focus on care packages for individuals.

National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness
Extended to 2017

Domestic violence awareness
Contribution of $16.7 million to the Council of Australian Governments' planned $30 million awareness campaign 

Stronger relationships trial
Trial, which included $200 vouchers for relationship counselling services, has been discontinued

Department of Human Services/Welfare integrity
$1.7 billion over 5 years for increased fraud prevention, debt recovery and improved assessment processes.
Efficiency review to take place.  Phase-out of cheques and credit EFTPOS in favour of electronic funds transfer for Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefit payments.
Implementation of new Centrelink IT systems.
 
Young job seekers
The Government will reverse the 2014‑15 Budget measure Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30, requiring a 6 month waiting period for income support and instead require young people under 25 years of age without significant barriers to employment to actively seek work for a four week waiting period.
$212 million of funding allocated to young people at high risk of long term unemployment.

Low income supplement
Abolished. 

Microfinance
Continuation of microfinance services including StepUp and No Interest Loan Scheme.

Health
Government not proceeding with Medicare co-payments and redefinition of time requirements for type A and B medical consultations.
Continuation of e-health system. Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (PCEHR) to be renamed My Health Record 



Feel free to add anything I missed in the comments.  There was a small reference to prevention in health, but I will need to investigate more to see what this was about.