21 November 2022
Advocacy Update - MACR. Summary Report of Next Steps. The First 1000 Days Strategy. CYFSP collaboration and engagement. ACT Government Data Ecosystem + more.
Member News
Dear Families ACT members,
This update provides information about our advocacy work, commissioning and sector development.
Advocacy Update
Minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR)
The ACT Government published its position paper on raising the age of criminal responsibility in early November outlining key policy decisions made in delivering this reform as well as matters needing to be considered in the future. Families ACT welcomed the recent announcement to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years of age without any carve outs by the end of 2022. We will continue to advocate for the age to be raised to 14 as soon as possible as well as for a holistic wraparound therapeutic diversion and support service system to underpin the legislative changes.
Summary Report of Next Steps
briefing on 29 September 2022
A summary report of the community sector briefing on Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030 hosted by Families ACT & Youth Coalition of the ACT in partnership with ACT Government has now been made available. You can read and download the report from our website.
Best Start for Canberra’s Children:
The First 1000 Days Strategy
A new strategy designed to help every child in Canberra reach their full potential was released by the ACT Government earlier this month. It sets out the vision and principles guiding ACT Government’s work with service providers to ensure early and improved support for children and families. The ACT Government will be engaging with the community sector on implementing the strategy at various forums in the coming months, starting at the inaugural First 1000 Days Conference which was held on 8 November 2022. For more information about Best Start visit communityservices.act.gov.au/best-start.
Commissioning Update
Families ACT continues to support the commissioning. More information can be found on CSD’s Commissioning website. The following are highlights from the latest Commissioning conversations newsletter.
Get ready for CYFSP collaboration and engagement
The Commissioner for the Child, Youth and Family Services Program (CYFSP) collaborated with service providers and sector partners to design and develop the CYFSP Commissioning Engagement and Collaboration Plan for this commissioning cycle. Over two workshops the CYFSP Commissioning Engagement Working Group reflected, explored, and identified key engagement and collaboration needs for this commissioning cycle from now through to 2023. For more information on how you can plan your contributions or participation in the CYFSP commissioning cycle, please visit the visit CYFSP Sector in Progress webpage.
Approaching transitions from a commissioning lens
Government is interested to hear your thoughts on transitioning of services via a short survey. The survey will be open until 25 November 2022 and is being shared with both community and government partners.
Opportunity to be part of designing the ACT Government Data Ecosystem
The ACT Government is undertaking a project to identify data systems, people and projects that would be a part of an ACT Government data eco system. The work being undertaken in partnership with Capgemini will be guided by best practice around the world, but the Government also wants key partners and the unique nature of the Canberra community to guide what is needed, wanted and build in a data eco system. Please email Monica Kempster at Monica.kempster@act.gov.au if you would like any further information.
Other Updates
Youth Advisory Council looking for new members
The Youth Advisory Council is looking for new members. Council members raise awareness of the aspirations, needs and concerns of young people and facilitate interaction between young people, the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, the ACT Government and the wider community. Nominations are open for people aged 12 to 25. You can apply online through SmartyGrants. Applications close on Friday 16 December 2022.
ACT government community grants
Technology Upgrade Fund Grants are currently open including the Community support and infrastructure grant which aims to support community groups and organisations to improve their programs and services for the benefit of members of the ACT community through the following three (3) grant categories: community support and capacity building; non-fixed infrastructure, furniture and equipment (not including IT and audio-visual available through the Technology Upgrade Fund Grants); and minor capital works and fixed infrastructure. For more information, please click on the link above.
Sector development update
Our Joint Case Reviews continued to be popular throughout the year and the last JCR was held on 1 November 2022 which brings the total to 5 JCRs for 2023. A JCR facilitator update and refresher meeting was held in mid-October allowing facilitators to reflect on the year and start planning for 2023.
Together with the Youth Coalition we hosted 2 workshops on working with trans and gender diverse children and young people – one for youth workers and one for family case managers – at the end of October. The workshop was delivered by A Gender Agenda and well attended.
Our webpage lists all the training and sector development we provide and facilitate. Updates and new training will be continually added, and we encourage you to have a look at what’s on offer.
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
14 October 2022
Briefing on Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030. Minimum age of criminal responsibility. Consultation - Child protection. Sector Development. A Gender Agenda + more
Member News
Dear Families ACT members,
This update provides information about a briefing we co-hosted on Next Steps, news on raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility, a consultation we participated in about ongoing child protection reforms and upcoming sector development.
Briefing on Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030
On 29 September 2022, Families ACT & Youth Coalition of the ACT, in partnership with ACT Government, hosted a community sector briefing on Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030 by the Minister for Families and Community Services, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA. Anne Maree Sabellico, Deputy Director General, and Melanie Saballa, Executive Branch Manager, Next Steps Reform and Strategy Implementation, also spoke.
A panel of experts (Jodie Griffiths-Cook, Professor Morag MacArthur and Selina Walker) provided their views on the ACT’s strategy to strengthen families and keep children & young people safe. The session was MC’ed by Chris Redmond. The briefing was a great opportunity to bring together stakeholders whose support is imperative for the success of Next Steps. The conversations will continue, and we will keep our members and key stakeholders informed on the implementation of Next Steps.
From L-R: A Sabellico, J Griffiths-Cook, M MacArthur, R Stephen-Smith, S Walker and C Redmond .
Minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR)
Families ACT welcomed the recent announcement by ACT Government of its intention to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years of age without any carve outs by the end of 2022. This is great news for the campaign and Families ACT’s advocacy work. The ACT Government has flagged that this is the first step in the reform process and it is still planning to raise the age to 14 years in due course. The campaign and Families ACT will continue to advocate for the age being further raised as well as for a holistic wraparound therapeutic diversion and support service system to support the legislative changes.
Consultation
Child protection (External Merits Review Appeals)
Families ACT was recently consulted about the external merits review, as one of the first priorities of Next Steps. The review process aims to provide children and families with a way of appealing decisions made by CYPS through an independent panel. While the appeal mechanism has existed for some time it has been criticised by our Advisory Council members as being ineffective. The consultation was led by Professor Aron Shlonsky, head of the school of social work at Monash University. Aron has extensive experience of child protection systems both in Australia and overseas. The action research/focus group format of discussion promoted an environment where we were able not only to suggest how the ACT’s child protection service could be reformed, but also to refine our thinking on the subject by tapping into Aron’s considerable knowledge.
Sector Development
Places still available at upcoming ‘Trans and gender diverse clients’ workshops on 27 October 2022
We are collaborating with the Youth Coalition of the ACT on hosting a training on working with trans and gender diverse young people and families which was postponed because of the public holiday mourning the Queen’s death. More information about the workshop which will be delivered by A Gender Agenda, ACT’s leading trans, gender diverse and intersex peer support organisation can be found on Eventbrite and on our new webpage listing all the training and sector development we provide and facilitate. Updates and new training will be continually added, and we encourage you to have a look at what’s on offer for the rest of this year.
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
16 September 2022
Safe & Connected Youth Program Launch. Advocacy Update. Commissioning. ACT Domestic and Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management Framework now available + more.
Member News
Dear Families ACT members,
This update provides information about the Safe and Connected Youth Program launch, our advocacy work and our new sector development website.
Official Safe and Connected Youth Program launch
Last week, Families ACT attended the official launch of the Safe and Connected Youth Program which provides therapeutic outreach support to children, young people (8-15 years of age) and their families who are experiencing family conflict and where there is a risk of youth homelessness. The program is run by the Conflict Resolution Service (CRS) in partnership with Marymead. Will and Yvonne enjoyed meeting CRS staff and visiting the program’s residential therapeutic respite premises. Significant funds have been spent on co-designing a comfortable, light-filled environment to meet the needs of young people in residence. To access the program, young people can self-refer or be referred. You can either call CRS on (02) 6189 0590 or fill out their referral form.
Advocacy Update
Child and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Services Network Planning Day
On 13 September, Yvonne attended a Planning Day hosted by ACT Government, Capital Health Network (CHN) and the Youth Coalition of the ACT to design a new network for child and youth mental health programs and services. The establishment of a network including the development of an action plan flow from the findings of the Understanding the ‘Missing Middle’: Children and young people with moderate to severe mental health concerns who experience difficulties accessing services project report. The Planning Day brought together key stakeholders to consider the essential elements required for such a network to function effectively, its priorities, intended outcomes and measures of success. We will keep you updated on the progress of this important work.
Commissioning
Work on the commissioning of the CYFSP has been on hold while CSD selects and convenes a reference group which will develop a sector engagement process. The CYFSP Directors’ group requested this step as a more time efficient way of running the commissioning and Will was approached to assist with the selection process for the reference group.
ACT Domestic and Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management Framework now available
The framework outlines a common approach to understanding domestic and family violence. It builds a shared understanding of the nature of domestic and family violence and provides a common language for describing it. It also establishes a common approach to screening, assessing and managing domestic and family violence risk. For more information, go to the Community Services Directorate website.
Sector Development
NEW Families ACT webpage listing all our sector development work
We are excited to announce that we have created a new webpage listing all the training and sector development we provide and facilitate. Updates and new training will be continually added, and we encourage you to have a look at what’s on offer for the rest of this year.
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
18 August 2022
FACT Annual General Meeting. Budget Announcements. Annual Member survey report. A Gender Agenda Workshop. Stays available at Leo’s Place + more.
Member News
Dear Families ACT members,
This update provides information about our Annual General Meeting, our commentary on the ACT Budget 2022-23 and some exciting sector development updates.
Families ACT Annual General Meeting
Families ACT held its Annual General Meeting online via ZOOM on Tuesday 16 August 2022. Families ACT’s President Alison Lendon thanked Finance Officer Tom Thorneton for his 4 years’ service and warmly welcomed 3 new board members - Danielle Parra, Zakia Patel and Andrew Stephen. For more information about our board, visit our website.
Key ACT Budget 2022-23 Announcements
Families ACT has drafted a brief commentary highlighting key ACT budget 2022-23 announcements. Overall, Families ACT welcomes the 2022-23 ACT Budget which delivers much needed funding across a wide range of areas including health care, education, community services, homelessness services, public housing and public transport. For more detail, please read our commentary on our website.
Families ACT’s Annual member survey report
Thank you to everyone who responded to our annual member survey in June 2022. We have now collated all the responses and submitted our report to CSD. Overall, the survey reveals an over 92% satisfaction rate with our performance in all areas (respondents satisfied or very satisfied with our work). You can find the full report on our website as well as more detailed information about our work such as policy positions, recent submissions and research reports.
Sector Development
NEW Families ACT webpage listing all our sector development work
We are excited to announce that we have created a new webpage listing all the training and sector development we provide and facilitate. Updates and new training will be continually added, and we encourage you to have a look at what’s on offer for the rest of this year.
Cancellation of JCR scheduled for 22nd of September 2022
A Gender Agenda Workshop
Families ACT has decided to cancel the JCR scheduled for the 22nd of Sept 2022 as we are collaborating with the Youth Coalition of the ACT on hosting a training on working with trans and gender diverse young people and families. More information about the workshop which will be delivered by A Gender Agenda, ACT’s leading trans, gender diverse and intersex peer support organisation can be found on our new webpage. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope you or your staff can attend our final JCR for the year on 1st of November 2022 instead. If you have any questions or want more information about our sector development work, JCRs or the workshops, please email Yvonne at comms@familiesact.org.au
Stays available at Leo’s Place
Leo’s Place has asked us to promote their beautiful, non-clinical, home-away-from-home for people with a life-limiting illness and /or their carers, which opened in January 2021. An initiative of Palliative Care ACT, it has received funding security in this year’s ACT budget, and it provides day or overnight respite for this client group, at no cost to them. Leo’s Place currently has availability and clients and/or carers can self-refer or be referred by your service. For more information go to Leo’s place or call Ann Monahan, the manager, on 02 6171 2290 for a chat or to arrange a tour.
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
21 July 2022
FACT AGM. MoU between Families ACT and the Youth Coalition of the ACT. Our Annual Member Survey and report to CSD. Commissioning - CYFSP commissioning working group. Commissioning Roadmap Update + more.
Member News
Dear Families ACT members,
This update provides information about our upcoming Annual General Meeting, the signing of a MoU with the Youth Coalition, the outcomes of our annual member survey and some Commissioning updates.
Families ACT Annual General Meeting
After due consideration of the current winter flu and COVID infection peak, Families ACT has decided to hold our Annual General Meeting online via ZOOM. Members are invited to join our virtual AGM on Tuesday 16 August 2022 from 12:15 – 12:45 pm. If you have not already received an invitation, please email Yvonne or Will at comms@familiesact.org.au for the ZOOM link.
MoU between Families ACT and the Youth Coalition of the ACT
On Monday 4th July, the presidents of Families ACT and the Youth Coalition of the ACT, Alison Lendon and Sarah Wilson, signed a Memorandum of Understanding setting out how both organisations will continue collaborating in the coming years. This cements the working relationship that has existed for many years. We look forward to new opportunities to work together with the Youth Coalition.
From L-R: Will Mollison, Alison Lendon, Sarah Wilson and Justin Barker.
Our Annual Member Survey and report to CSD
We would like to thank everyone who completed our annual member and stakeholder survey in May 2022, the survey forms the backbone of our annual reporting to CSD. Those who completed the survey have played their part in our donation of $520 to Doris and Beryl’s Womens Refuges under the incentive scheme, where we pledged to donate $20 for each complete survey received. This year’s survey results show that we continued to make strides in better informing members about our work, with 68% of respondents very satisfied with our performance in this area. This was second only to survey respondents’ rating of our collaborative work (72% very satisfied). We also continued, as requested over multiple surveys, to advocate on behalf of our members for a best practice commissioning process. However, some feedback reflects the dilemmas our inadequate funding faces us with and the hard decisions we must make to deliver quality in the face of competing demands on our advocacy work. We simply can’t do it all and are carefully considering which advocacy issues to prioritise. You can find the full CSD report on our website.
Commissioning
CYFSP commissioning working group
At the last CYFSP Director’s meeting it was agreed that a CYFSP commissioning working group would be established as part of the CYFSP commissioning process. The aim of the working group is to co-design the engagement process to ensure all stakeholders can contribute efficiently and effectively, . More details on the group are pending and Families ACT will ensure further information will be distributed to our members once available.
Commissioning Roadmap Update
EoI for Roadmap Refresh Sounding board
CSD is looking at updating the Commissioning Roadmap. The refreshed Roadmap will build on the existing content, showcase our progress and outline plans for the next two years to 2024. CSD is gathering a small group of interested representatives from the community and health sectors to form a Sounding Board that will help refresh the Roadmap.If you are interested in commissioning and how it happens, then express your interest in joining the Roadmap Refresh Sounding Board by sending an email with your contact details to: csdcommissioning@act.gov.au by close of business on Friday 29 July 2022 or contact Fiona May on 02 6207 8165 for more information.
Sector Development
Join us for our upcoming JCRs
As we explained in our last update, Families ACT is now using Eventbrite for bookings for our JCRs. Those wishing to attend need to register via the above link. We still have places available for the following dates:
17 August 2022
22 September 2022
1 November 2022.
If you have any questions or want more information about JCRs, please email Yvonne at comms@familiesact.org.au
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
22 June 2022
Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022 – 2030. Commissioning Update. Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Advocacy + more.
Member News
Dear Families ACT members,
This update provides information about our sector development and advocacy work as well as a reminder about the important role our Advisory Council plays in representing your interests year-round.
Government launches
Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022 – 2030
On 3 June, the ACT Government launched the Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022-2030. Families ACT welcomes the release of this strategy to strengthen and support families. It aims to build a restorative, therapeutic and trauma-informed child protection system that is also transparent, accessible and accountable. The Strategy is supported by 3 documents: A Step Up for Our Kids Journey, Review of Contemporary Practice in Out of Home Care and Sources & References.
Commissioning Update
In late May, Families ACT received a new contract for a 5-year period as part of the Child, Youth and Family Services Program (CYFSP). The format of our Deed of Grant is for an initial 2-year period with a further 3 years following a review. This structure allows us to pause and reflect on how the intended aims of the commissioning process are playing out in practice.
On 7 June 2022 CYFSP Directors came together to continue their conversation about the commissioning of CYFSP services. This conversation sought to identify the best approach to design the consultation strategy for the commissioning process to ensure all stakeholders are engaged in an optimum way. For more information, please refer to CSD’s latest Commissioning conversations update on their Commissioning website.
Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) Advocacy Update
Families ACT attended a Raise the Age Coalition meeting at the end of May where the next steps of the campaign to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 years of age were discussed. Families ACT signed a joint submission to the ACT 2022-23 Budget by the coalition of parties advocating to raise the age. The joint submission argued for the funding of key components of Professor McArthur’s roadmap to raise the age which ensure that children and young people are supported in the transition away from the criminal legal system.
Sector Development
Places still available for upcoming JCRs
As explained in our last update, Families ACT is now using Eventbrite for bookings for our JCRs. Those wishing to attend need to register via the above link. We still have places available for the following dates:
17 August 2022
22 September 2022
1 November 2022
If you have any questions or want more information about JCRs, please email Yvonne at comms@familiesact.org.au
Families ACT’s Advisory Council – here for you!
Families ACT has a two-tiered management structure comprising a skill-based board and an Advisory Council. The Board consists of individuals with specialist skills (e.g. regulatory, planning, finance, research, marketing, communications, governance, legal) who are responsible for the strategic and fiscal management of Families ACT. Representation of members’ interests is guaranteed through the input of the Advisory Council. The Council provides advice to the Board on a range of issues affecting the sector. Its role is to:
Represent the interests of members of Families ACT;
Work with the Executive Officer to identify and prioritise policy related issues for the Board’s consideration;
Provide advice to inform the Board’s decision making; and
Work with the Board and Executive Officer ensuring members are informed and consulted about decisions.
The Council meets bi-monthly and comprises up to 9 members, who are elected at the AGM. The current Families ACT Advisory Council members are:
Dawn Bainbridge Karralika Programs Inc.
Sarah Murdoch Executive Officer St John's Care
Amanda Savle Deputy Director Gugan Gulwan
Fiona Loaney Director of Governance Relationships Australia Canberra & Region
Cara Jacobs Director, Community Services YWCA Canberra
Alison Taylor Program Manager Child, Youth and Family Support Service Barnardos
Heli McKellar Case Manager & Program Coordinator UnitingCare Kippax
Member feedback is essential to keep us in tune with your interests and concerns. If you have feedback about Families ACT we would love to talk to you directly, but if you would prefer please have a chat to one of our Council members.
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
12 May 2022
Commissioning. Post-Activity Surveys. Sector Development Joint Case reviews (JCRs) Update. FACT development of the Suite of Tools + more.
Member News
Dear Families ACT members,
Our May 2022 update provides information about our latest publication, our sector development and advocacy work as well as a reminder to participate in our annual survey.
Families ACT 2022 Stakeholder Survey
On Tuesday, Will sent emails to members asking them to spare 5-10 minutes to complete our annual member survey. We appreciate that the survey adds to your workload, so this year we are conducting it earlier than usual to try and separate it from the end of the financial year and make it easier to complete.
As in 2021 we will be donating $20 to Beryl and Doris Women's Refuges for each completed survey we receive. Thank you for your feedback over the years, it has been invaluable in identifying what we are doing well and where we need to improve. Please take the survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/survey-closed. Survey Closed
For any queries, please contact Will on 0402 718 579 or eo@familiesact.org.au.
Families ACT’s Suite of Tools Report
In April, we published our Suite of Tools report on our website. The report documents a suite of practice tools Families ACT has developed for the Child Youth and Family Services Program in the ACT over the past 10 years.
Commissioning Update
Government Procurement for Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022 – 2030 now open CSD has asked us to let our members know that they have issued a Request for Proposal via TendersACT for the procurement of a new specialised therapeutic residential care services package as part of the Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022 - 2030.
Sector Development
New booking system for Joint Case reviews (JCRs). As explained in our last update, Families ACT is now using Eventbrite for bookings for our JCRs. Those wishing to attend need to register via the above link. The next JCR on 16 May 2022 is already booked out but the following dates are still available:
28 June 2022
17 August 2022
22 September 2022
1 November 2022
If you have any questions or want more information about JCRs, please email Yvonne at comms@familiesact.org.au
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
07 April 2022
Commissioning Update. Peaks Commissioning. Upcoming Government Procurement + more
Member News
Dear Families ACT members,
Please find below our member update for April 2022. With the autumn school holidays starting in 2 days, we hope you and your loved ones get the chance to have a rest and break. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Easter!
Commissioning update
Peaks Commissioning
As mentioned in previous member updates, the ACT Government is currently commissioning the peaks before other sector organisations so that we can be more available to support members through their commissioning. We are very supportive of the concept of involving providers in service design and believe that the process needs to be conducted in good faith and in line with the principles enshrined in the Social Compact.
Families ACT understands that this is the first-time services are being commissioned in the ACT and it will be a learning experience for both the community sector and Government.
Upcoming Government Procurement:
Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022 – 2030
CSD has asked us to let our members know of the Advance Tender Notice of the procurement process to engage a suitably qualified supplier for the delivery of the new specialist therapeutic residential care services package as part of the Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022 – 2030. More information can be found here.
Sector development
New booking system for Joint Case reviews (JCRs)
The first JCR of the year was held on 23 March with 26 participants. It was great to see so many people there! Far more people attended than RSVPed and to be Covid safe we have needed to rethink our registration process. Families ACT is now using Eventbrite for bookings and attendees will need to register to attend the remaining JCRs on:
Member updates
16 May 2022
28 June 2022
17 August 2022
22 September 2022
1 November 2022
We hope our registration process will now be much more streamlined. If you have any questions or want more information about JCRs, please email Yvonne at comms@familiesact.org.au
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research