NT Mental Health Coalition eBulletin - featuring NDIS News, General News, Events and Conferences, Employment

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2016
Welcome back to the NT Mental Health Coalition’s (NTMHC) e-bulletin. NTMHC's monthly e-bulletin with updates, news and information related to Mental Health Community sector and the Community Managed Mental Health sector.

Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested in highlights from this edition, or interested in becoming a member of the NTMHC.

The Special General Meeting and AGM were held on Friday 18 November. The Board elected for 2016-17:

President - Judy Davis, General Manager of Programs NT, Catholic Care
Vice President - Christine Knight, Regional Leader NT, Mission Australia
Treasurer - Helen Egan, CEO TEAMhealth
Secretary - Sabine Wedemeyer, Executive Officer, Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA)
Public Officer - Vanessa Harris, Executive Officer, NT Mental Health Coalition
Ordinary Board Members:
- Gwenda Freeman, Community Programs Manager NT, Red Cross
- Lorraine Davies. Executive Officer, Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia, NT (MIFANT) and
- Dale Campbell, CEO, Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

If you require any further information please contact Vanessa Harris on 8948 2246.

In this Edition
NDIS News
CMHA Update
Other News
Events and Conferences
Employment
Sponsors

NDIS News

The NDIS is currently holding a series of workshops and several meetings with key organisations and stakeholders across the Territory. The workshops are an opportunity for service providers and consumers to prepare for the roll out of the NDIS, the next expected region to be rolled out is East Arnhem from 1 January 2017. For more information on the events and session information. click here

With the continued roll out of the NDIS across the Northern Territory the community managed mental health sector still remains concerned around some key issues;

the NDIS's ability to respond to people living with psycho-social disability
developing quality assurance process specifically for psycho-social disabilities
providing an appropriate workforce base within the NDIS pricing and practice structure
funding appropriate community managed mental health services for those people outside the NDIS
recognising differences between remote, rural and urban regions in states and territories and maintaining a nationally consistent scheme
facilitating transition for service providers and organisations

The NT National Disability Insurance Agency has also developed their 1^st newsletter, currently being circulated. The newsletter will be produced quarterly, and will provide updates on activities in the NT, including the scheduling of information sessions. If you wish to provide feedback please contact Tegan Kissane, Assistant Director, Engagement on (08) 8963 3009 or email http://tegan.kissane@ndis.gov.au

2016/2017 Price Guide for NDIS service providers
Pricing for supports/services information is about prices and payments for supports in participant plans. This includes where there are price limits to what the Scheme will pay or benchmarks that are used as a guide. There are difference price guides for remote and very remote service delivery. click here

Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA)

The Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA) is a coalition of eight state and territory peak community mental health organisation. CMHA, through its state and territory bodies, has direct link and contact to mental health organisations delivering services to the community. The NT Mental Health Coalition is a founding and a board member of the CMHA.

Through the Executive Director, Amanda Bresnan the CMHA is currently working on the following:

Federal Pre-budget Submission
CMHA have completed their Federal Pre-budget submission and will begin promoting this with Government and MPs including meetings with the Health Minister, Sussan Ley's office, Shadow Minister for Social Services Jenny Macklin and Shadow Minister for Mental Health Julie Collins, and Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens Spokesperson for Mental Health and Social Services. The key points in the submission are:
For Government to develop a National Mental Health Workforce Strategy

That psycho-social services be included in the services Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are able to commission, based on their needs assessments.
Establish a cross-government and cross-sector Expert Reference Group to examine and monitor reforms impacting mental health.
Conduct regional Communities of Practice to support NDIS transition.
Develop quality assurance processes specifically tailored for psycho-social support services as a part of the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.
Develop options for funding services for people living with a mental illness who are ineligible for the NDIS and currently access Federally funded programs, ensuring their rehabilitation and disability support needs are met whether eligible or not.

Fifth National Mental Health Plan
CMHA are currently working on their submission to the Fifth National Mental Health Plan. It will make a number of recommendations to re-frame the current version of the Plan. Submissions are due to the Department of Health on 9 December and CMHA will make their submission available.

Other

Have your say on a new integrated carer support service system. A draft Service Delivery Model for services to support and sustain the work of unpaid carers. Share your thoughts, feedback on the draft Service Delivery Model can be provided through an online survey or through making a written submission. The survey and submission process closes on Thursday 15 December at 5pm. For more information. click here

Darwin Mental Health Network Meeting, hosted by Carers NT, is an information sharing and networking opportunity for workers within the Mental Health Sector. The network is to provide information sharing opportunities and general sector capacity development. The Network meets quarterly and a guest speaker is invited for part of the meeting. For more information and to print the flyer. Click here

2017 International Women's Day Grants are now available, applications close 16 December 2016. To apply visit.click here

Expressions of Interest to Participate in CRANAplus Bush Support Services: Collaborative, Engaging and Connected Workplaces Symposium, April 2017, Alice Springs. For more information please contact Colleen Neidermeyer on (07) 4047 6404 or via email colleen@crana.org.au

TEAMhealth has moved from Cavenagh Street to Darwin Corporate Park, (Level 1, Building 4) 631 Stuart Highway Berrimah, opposite Harvey Norman and behind Westpac bank.

NT PHN has now moved to Winnellie, 23 Albatross Street. This has enabled the Darwin staff to work in one location and will provide improved access and car parking for all staff and visitors, as well as additional meeting spaces. For any further information phone (08) 8982 1067. For the latest news and information, Issue 71, 23 November 2016. click here

Events and Conferences

Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA) is calling for Expressions of Interest for a Reference Group for the National Mental Health NDIS Conference.

The conference will be the nation’s first nation-wide, sector-driven professional development conference, focused on NDIS and mental health and will be held in Sydney in November 2017.

The draft Terms of Reference for the Conference Reference Group (CRG). You can download the Terms of Reference here. The CRG will:

Provide advice and support to the conference operational team;
Provide advice to assist with strategic event decisions;
Contribute ideas and expertise, especially in the areas of theming, programing and sector engagement; and
Help promote the conference across Australia’s mental health community and encourage attendance among their own networks.

The CRG will meet by teleconference (assistance with access will be arranged on request) on six occasions between December 2016 and September 2017. The members of the CRG will comprise representatives/stakeholders from within the Australian mental health sector.
Specifically, the members will comprise a representative group of 8-12 people selected on to their ability to contribute to the committee’s functions and responsibilities (see further details in the Terms of Reference).

Members will be selected based on applications received through a call for Expressions of Interest. The on-line EOI form can be found https://evev.wufoo.com/forms/w3naf20izx0am/

Remuneration will be offered to people with lived experience.

Applications close on 13^th December 2016.

Employment

Employment opportunities at Catholic Care, for more information. Click here

TEAMhealth, expression of interest position - Casual / Part Time / Short Term Contract Roles. Click here

Anglicare has several positions across the Territory, for more information. Click here