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18 April 2024
Flooding hits NSW again
Last week saw large parts of NSW impacted by damaging storms and widespread flooding that caused many people to lose their homes, businesses and possessions. We know that people with low incomes are often among
those most impacted by disasters – and they often turn to their local community services for information and support.
If your organisation is providing support to flood-affected communities, NCOSS has resources on our website that provide links to available services and information.
I would welcome hearing your observations about the impacts of this disaster, community need and the emergency
response and recovery processes in your area.
If NCOSS can help by raising issues with government agencies, ministers or other authorities, please let me know.
FONGA
On 5 April, NCOSS held our quarterly Forum of Non-Government Agencies (FONGA) meeting.
The meeting heard a detailed update from Anthony Shannon from the Department of Communities & Justice on the TEI & FCS Recommissioning Process. We also discussed sector updates including giving feedback on the NSW Government’s proposed portable long service scheme.
Regional Forum in Dubbo
Is your service in Western NSW? Our next NCOSS Regional Forum will be held for members and the wider social service sector including government agencies, on Wednesday 22 May in Dubbo.
Specifically we are targeting Dubbo and surrounds including Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes, Condobolin, Wellington, Coonamble, Coonabarabran, Bourke, Nyngan, Cobar, Walgett, and Brewarrina.
The forum is presented by NCOSS and local hosts Mission Australia. It will focus on keeping communities safe and kids out of jail, housing communities, and building access to services through a strong and resilient social service sector. Please promote this important and timely forum across your networks (further details in NCOSS News below).
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Cost of Living Focus Group
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Does your program service children and families? Do you work with school professionals?
We are currently recruiting for focus group participants for our Cost of Living in NSW research study. As you are aware, we are interested in the experiences of low-income households with dependent children aged 0-15. We are keen to get parents, carers, school professionals and service providers who work with families and children involved.
If you are interested in
participating in one of our focus groups, please email andrea@ncoss.org.au for more information. Interviews will commence on 29 April. We would also appreciate if you could forward this onto your networks.
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NCOSS Flood Assistance Resources page
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The NCOSS Flood Assistance Resources page is for organisations providing support to flood-affected communities. It provides links to available services and information, including government financial support for individuals and organisations, mental health support and practical information such as flood health and safety and how to replace damaged documents.
NSW Recovery Plan
The NSW Reconstruction Authority has released a revised NSW Recovery Plan. The Plan sets out the arrangements for disaster recovery in NSW and provides the framework for local and event specific plans.
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NCOSS Regional Forum - Dubbo
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22 May 10am to 3.30pm
Rhino Lodge 14L Camp Rd Dubbo
Join in the conversation about how to reduce risk for regional communities in Western NSW.
NCOSS and local hosts Mission Australia in Dubbo would like to invite decision makers from social services, community organisations, lived experience advocates, and government agencies, including local government, from Western NSW to an interactive in-person
regional forum in Dubbo.
The focus of the day will be:
- Keeping communities safe and kids out of jail.
- Keeping communities housed.
- Workforce issues in the social service sector.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Cara Varian - CEO NCOSS and Dale Towns –
Area Manager, Mission Australia Dubbo will introduce the day and highlight some of the issues being discussed.
- Rebecca Pinkstone – CEO Homes NSW – Rebecca will discuss how HomesNSW hopes to transform the way social and affordable housing is done to increase access, improve tenant
experience, and collaborate with services on the ground.
- Dr Mindy Sotiri – CEO Justice Reform Initiative – Dr Sotiri will talk about what works to keep kids out of jail and communities safe.
- Ben McAlpine Director Policy and Advocacy NCOSS – NCOSS sits on the Job Security and Funding Certainty Taskforce. Ben will outline what positive outcomes the Taskforce might have for the sector in relation to regional staffing challenges.
- Local speakers from youth, housing and employment services
The full program will be released closer to the date but there will be plenty of opportunities for participants to discuss issues, challenges and opportunities. These discussions will be captured in a report that will inform NCOSS advocacy and local advocacy in your communities.
The event is free but numbers are limited so please REGISTER ASAP.
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Sector Survey on Portable Long Service Leave
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As members would be aware, the NSW Government has launched a consultation process regarding a portable long service leave scheme for community sector workers in NSW.
This scheme will mean that workers can access long service leave based on their time employed in the sector, instead of their time employed at a single organisation.
This is a critical reform that will support the sustainability of our sector. NCOSS has been calling for a portable long service leave scheme to be introduced for a number of years; now is the time to make the sure the design is
right.
Over the past 6 months, NCOSS has been monitoring this closely, providing feedback to the Department on the scope, approach and impact of the scheme. Now we need input from our members.
Below is the link to a short survey - just five core questions - that will provide critical context for our submission. Thank you for taking the time, and please contact Ben McAlpine (Director, Policy & Advocacy) if you have any questions.
Survey link here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PLSLNCOSS
Survey will close COB Friday, April 26th.
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DCJ is recommissioning the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) and Family Connect and Support (FCS) programs with new 5-year contracts to commence from 1 July 2025.
TEI and FCS will be merged into one program from July 2025, to streamline the programs and contracts. From this point forward this process will be referred to as ‘TEI recommissioning 2025’.
The newly combined TEI program will have three program activities:
- Community Strengthening
- Family Connect and Support
- Wellbeing and Safety
Recent
and upcoming TEI recommissioning forums led by State Peaks and DCJ
Several online information forums on the TEI recommissioning 2025, hosted by State Peaks (Fams, LCSA, Youth Action) and DCJ, were held in March and attended by around 588 participants.
The presentation has been made available on the new TEI News and Updates webpage. DCJ are currently developing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that provide responses to common questions raised by the sector. The FAQs will be updated throughout the recommissioning process. These will be available on the TEI webpage shortly.
AbSec, LCSA, Youth Action and Fams are joining together to workshop a new name for the program. The session will be online on the 8th May from 1-2:30pm. You can click here to register!
Data resources to support local planning
A number of data resources are now available to support local planning during TEI recommissioning. The data helps to build a comprehensive picture of local community need, including issues and trends. Local planning workshops will be used to discuss and validate the analysis of the data using local knowledge held by TEI practitioners and other stakeholders. The aim of these workshops will be to reach a shared understanding of local priorities, outcomes and needs, including changing or emerging needs.
You can find out more information by reading the latest TEI Inform update.
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Rental Racism - National Survey
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Caption: Image of a man looking at the camera, with and a woman next to him looking down and two girls on either side of them. Text reads: "Investigating Rental
Racism. Multicultural Renters: Share your experiences on renting in Australia. Your experiences matter."
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Tenants Victoria has teamed up with the University of Melbourne to run a national survey to better understand the housing experiences of multicultural renters, including how racial discrimination impacts in the renting sector.
Help them build more evidence – please consider filling out the survey today. Please spread the word by sharing it with other multicultural renters in your community!
Find the quick survey here: https://lnkd.in/gXu_Rx2y
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| Youth Action is Calling Young Artists!
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Caption: Text reads: "Young artist in residence. Applications open."
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Youth Action is excited to launch its NSW Young Artist in Residence Program 2024!
This is an open call out to NSW young artists 12 – 24 years of age. Youth Action is seeking concept sketch submissions on the theme of young people’s voice, with a focus on why it's so important for young people's voices to be included in decisions that directly impact them and their communities.
The selected artwork will be used for the cover of Youth Action's 2024 Annual Report and other design elements.
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Women's Community Shelters Raffle
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Caption: Separate images of a sunrise, a tree, and a spa. Text reads: 'Win a luxurious stay valued at $10,000. Enter now.'
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Enter the Women's Community Shelters raffle for a chance to win a luxurious prize package worth $10,000 at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat.
Win 5 nights accommodation, plus a $2,000 Flight Centre Gift Voucher to help you get there.
Fully indulge in all that Gwinganna has to offer; spa treatments, massages, facials, beautifully cooked fresh, organic meals and more, your stay promises to be an
unforgettable experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
By participating, you'll also be supporting women and children escaping homelessness, domestic, and family violence.
Buy tickets at this link.
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Mission Australia's Youth Survey
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Caption: Image of four young people smiling with the text "Mission Australia Youth Survey 2024".
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Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2024 is now open. Now in its 23rd year, the Mission Australia Youth Survey is the largest online survey of its kind in Australia and provides an important annual snapshot into the experiences and views of young people aged 15-19.
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A workshop for key community service providers in the Snowy Monaro.
- Participate in a local planning exercise.
- Map skills, resources and knowledge in order to develop a plan for community sector involvement in emergency management.
- Develop a united message regarding the value of community sector in the Snowy Monaro region in the disaster cycle.
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Vulnerable Communities Emergency Preparedness
Workshop
20 May, Bega Civic Centre
22 May, Moruya Golf Club
Free | RSVP to RebeccaE@katungul.org.au
Social service NGOs in Bega Valley and Eurobodalla Shires are invited to this workshop to build organisations and community emergency preparedness.
- Hear from local NGO leaders and Emergency Management representatives
- Develop a framework for working together to support those most impacted by disasters.
Management and Service Delivery staff are encouraged to attend.
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The Family and Community Services Insights, Analysis and Research (FACSIAR) invites you to join our April Lunch and Learn webinar: 'Supporting families with complex needs with child protection contact – Findings from a new ANROWS study'.
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Walk for WAGEC
Women's and Girls' Emergency Centre
5 May, Centennial Park, Sydney
$25 | Register here: Walk for WAGEC 2024
Walk 10km at Centennial Park, Sydney on Sunday 5 May to raise money for women and children escaping domestic violence and homelessness.
Raise money by asking your community to donate to your Walk for WAGEC page. They can donate knowing that every
dollar raised builds safer futures for women in children
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100 Women
Closing Date: 8 May 2024
100 Women is a collaborative giving circle that amplifies the giving power of everyday people to create significant change for women and girls. Up to $50,000 will be given to multiple projects that advance the safety, health, education and economic freedom of women and girls.
For more information, visit the grant information page.
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HESTA Excellence Awards
Closing Date: 12 May 2024
The HESTA Excellence Awards recognise exceptional achievements in a range of settings across aged care, allied health, community services and disability
services. Winners will share a $60,000 prize pool.
For more information, visit the grant information page.
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The Ian Potter Foundation Community Wellbeing
Closing Date: 7 June
In the Community
Wellbeing program area, the Foundation seeks to identify and support those organisations which have well thought out projects that seek to help vulnerable members of the community to overcome the challenging circumstances in which they find themselves.
The Foundation only considers grant applications for multi-year grants for a minimum of $100,000.
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Caption: Text reading "Closing Soon!"
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NAB Foundation Community Grants
Closing Date: 30 April 2024
Funding of up to $25,000 for local projects that help communities withstand and recover from natural disasters. This includes educational workshops, practical and strategic planning that help communities prepare for a natural disaster and programs to enhance community connection, resilience and wellbeing post natural disaster.
For more information, visit the grant information page.
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Mable Community Grants
Closing Date: 30 April 2024
Mable Community Grants help fund people and projects that champion inclusion and independence for people with disability and older Australians.
Our grants have given $170,000 since starting in 2019 across art, sport, recreation, business and technology initiatives. Four grants of $10,000 each are available this year.
For more information, visit the grant information page.
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Some of the latest from our Jobs Board:
Direct Services Counsellor/Project Officer (Sydney wide) - NSW STARTTS - VIEW JOB
Manager Post Separation Services (Riverina) - Relationships Australia - VIEW JOB
Planned Support Worker (Western Sydney) - SAMSN - VIEW JOB
Membership and Policy Coordinator (Sydney wide) - ACOSS - VIEW JOB
Community Programs Coordinator (Identified) (Sydney wide) - Link Wentworth - VIEW JOB
Legal Research Officer (Identified) (Sydney CBD) - PIAC - VIEW JOB
Case Worker, Homelessness Early Intervention Service (Sydney wide) - The Northern Centre - VIEW JOB
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NCOSS gives its members the opportunity to share their stories, research, resources, events and more through NCOSS eNews. If you have something to share with the sector, send through a short blurb (50-70 words), image (250 x 250px) and relevant links to info@ncoss.org.au.
We will endeavour to add it to an edition of NCOSS e-News (goes out every fortnight on Thursday morning). Deadline for content is 5:00pm on Monday, the week of publication. The next deadline is Monday, 29 April 2024.
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| NCOSS gratefully acknowledges the support of
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Share our eNews to your communities
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