RESOURCES & SERVICES
Grant Opportunity – Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Training
This grant is available for service providers to provide support for more nurses in residential aged care to access infection prevention and control (IPC) leadership training and ensure residential aged care services are well prepared to prevent or manage future infectious disease outbreaks including influenza and COVID-19. Eligible residential aged care services with an existing IPC Lead may apply through this grant opportunity. Deadline for this grant opportunity is 2.00pm on 30 June 2023 (ACT local time).
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Manual Summary and Changes
The updated CHSP Manual is available from the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website. It outlines the program, service types, requirements, as well as a separate document summarising the most recent changes made to the manual.
Home Care Traineeship Program
As part of the Home Care Workforce Support Program (HCWSP), SSI has partnered with Apprenticeship Careers Australia (ACA) to deliver the Home Care Traineeship across NSW and the ACT, which is part of the HCWSP. This traineeship provides nationally recognised qualification new workers to earn money while becoming qualified and prepared to work in the home care sector. There are both full and part-time positions available, and trainees would be able to train with a home care provider. Courses available include pre-employment course and Certificate III.
Multi-Language Service Finder
healthdirect’s Service Finder is a comprehensive directory of healthcare providers from 300 different service types, including GPs, hospitals, psychologists, psychiatrists, physiotherapy, and more. It can be used in 16 languages including but not limited to Assyrian, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Greek, Spanish, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi, and Turkish.
COVID-19 Leave Grants to Support Aged Care Workers
From 1 July 2023, a new grant will be available to support permanent or casual aged care workers caring for older Australians most at risk of severe illness. Australian Government funded residential aged care and home care providers will be able to apply for reimbursement of up to $750 per week for payments they have made (from 1 April 2023) to permanent or casual employees that have no personal or sick leave entitlements available and need to take leave because they have tested positive to COVID-19. This will help to encourage staff who test positive to COVID-19 to stay home while unwell and protect older Australians in their care.
ACCPA: First Nations: Yarning Circles Series
This series aims to increase the knowledge of aged care service providers, to support them in creating culturally safe and considered environments for First Nations recipients and employees. The yarning circles provide an opportunity for people to gain a deeper understanding of First Nations peoples’ ways of being that is focused on respectful conduct, considerate of cultural ways and protocols. Part 2 will go into the impacts and traumas arising from forced removal, and Part 3 will go into key considerations for making services culturally safe and welcoming. This series is recommended for staff, volunteers, board members and anyone else who works with or intends to work with First Nations peoples.
Register to Part 2 Healing–Ways of Being
Register for Part 3 Creating Culturally Safe and Welcoming Services
Blacktown Community Information Directory
Blacktown City Libraries have a community information directory available on their website, where people can go to find out about a community group or not-for-profit organisation providing services in the Blacktown LGA. If you are an organisation who would like to be included in the directory, you can send a New Listing Suggestion here.
Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for Quarter 3 Due 5 May 2023
The third Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for 2022-23 is now available through the Forms Administration portal, and are due by 5 May 2023. Data entered the Quarterly Financial Statements screen must be for the year-to-date. However, data entered in the Residential or Home Care Expenses & Labour Hours and Food & Nutrition screens should be for the January to March 2023 quarter only. The new Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Quarterly Financial Reports) Principles 2023 are also now in effect for this as well as future QFR submissions.
Applications Open for the Community Assistance Program
Applications are now open for Blue Mountains City Council’s Community Assistance Program (CAP) grants. Grants of between $1000 – $1750 are available, and are open to local not for profit community organisations with projects that directly benefit the quality of life and wellbeing of the local community. The program assists community organisations to provide a diverse range of activities and services to meet the changing needs of Blue Mountains residents and enhances their capacity to provide local activities and services.
WSCF Adaptive Leadership 101 Workshops
Western Sydney Community Forum delivers full day workshops across Western Sydney on Adaptive Leadership for those working in the Community Sector. This full day workshop is designed specifically for the Community Sector in Western Sydney and will assist you to navigate through transitional change and uncertainty in your day-to-day role. It provides you with the theoretical framework and skills to tackle tough challenges.
Register below:
Liverpool (Thursday 11th May 2023):
Parramatta (Thursday 18th May 2023):
Penrith (Thursday 25th May 2023):
Price is $20 for WSCF members; if cost is an issue, please request a subsidy now and your request will be considered promptly. For more information: Contact John Le at john.le@wscf.org.au.
WSCF Marketing and Branding Masterclasses
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to develop your skills and give your organisation the advantage of moving forward! Our latest Marketing and Branding Masterclass will equip you with foundational skills and knowledge required to showcase your organisation and the services you offer to the community.
Register below:
PHIVE Parramatta (Friday 5th May 2023)
Cost is $25 (+GST) for members and $50 (+GST) for non-members; if cost is an issue, please request a subsidy now and your request will be considered promptly.
WSCF Affordable Translation Services
Western Sydney Community Forum offers a trusted document translation service for small and large organisations and businesses. We use NAATI-accredited translators with expertise in translating a range of documents to assist with your service delivery, from simple brochures to complex and sensitive publications. Members can access this service at a subsidised cost.
For more information, contact info@wscf.org.au.
My Aged Care consumer resources
The My Aged Care website features a range of resources for you to share with consumers about how to get started with My Aged Care.
These resources include new case study videos for:
- people who speak other languages
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- You can view or download all of these resources from the My Aged Care website.
Directory of Western Sydney Services for Commonwealth Home Support Program
The updated Directory of Western Sydney Services for Commonwealth Home Support Program is now available.
Please contact Sora Machida, Multicultural Access Project Officer
Ph: 8838 2173 Sora.Machida@health.nsw.gov.au
Free guide: Adding value to governance in aged care
The Governance Institute of Australia has refreshed their free guide, ‘Adding value to governance in aged care’ to help providers manage their governance responsibilities.
The free guide addresses a broad range of issues including:
- the role of governance and a director
- the unique challenges facing the sector
- factors to consider before taking a board position
- issues the board should consider when appointing a new member
- the relationship between the board and management
- risk management
- interaction with stakeholders.
