ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

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Bowen '1 Positive Families - Family Support Services' Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA)
Date:	20 June 2006
Sub Category:	Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA)
Place:	Bowen
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State/Country:	Queensland, Australia
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Subject Matter:	\| Health and Community Services
URL:	https://apps.indigenous.gov.au/sra/search/DisplayDocuments.aspx?id=55&name=(Bowen&title=Positive+Families&signDate=20-Jun-2006
Summary Information:
The Bowen '1 Positive Families - Family Support Services' Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA) aims to enhance 'the quality and quantity of Family Support Services' in Bowen (Indigenous Portal, January 2007). It is part of a set of four SRAs aimed at building and maintaining positive families within the Bowen community. Shared Responsibility Agreements are voluntary agreements between governments and Indigenous communities to provide discretionary funding in return for community obligations. The new arrangements developed from an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments and replace the previous ATSIC system of funding. For more information see 'Shared Responsibility Agreement' below.
Detailed Information:
Purpose Many of Bowen's Indigenous families rely heavily on seasonal employment, yet the alternating periods of long working days during the on-season and unemployment during the off-season impact significantly on home and family life. The SRA provides for the funding of a number of strategies intended to address this issue. The SRA aims to address the priority of 'growing positive families, both now and in the future' (Indigenous Portal, January 2007) through the employment of a number of staff, including an Indigenous Family Support Worker, three trainees, and a Health Services Development Project Officer. Together with Girudala Community Co-operative Society, these staff will work to 'improve access to Family Support Services by: identifying and creating linkages for seamless Family Support Service access; developing a register of Government and NGO services that support Family Support outcomes; identifying gaps in service delivery in order to seek the delivery of increased and/or more appropriate services; and developing and seeking investment in programs that will be responsive to community based needs' (Indigenous Portal, January 2007). Shared Responsibilities The SRA provides funding for strategies aimed at addressing the above-mentioned priority: The Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC) has proposed $70,000 towards extending the current office space and facilities of Girudala Community Co-operative Society (Girudala). The OIPC has also proposed In-Kind support towards researching other sources of funding and support that might be accessed by the community. The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) has proposed $213,656 towards funding an Indigenous Family Support Worker and two trainees for two years, as well as related operational costs. FaCSIA has also proposed In-Kind support towards identifying other sources of funding and support that might be accessed by the community. The Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) has proposed $4,400 towards funding one of the Indigenous Family Support Trainees. The Department of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy (DATSIP) has proposed In-Kind support in identifying other sources of funding and support that might be accessed by the community. The Department of Communities has proposed In-Kind support towards assessing the competency of current family support services in providing for Indigenous families. The Department of Communities has also proposed In-Kind support towards building the capacity of family support service providers to work effectively and collaboratively with Indigenous families. The Department of Education, Training and Arts (DET) has proposed $16,000 towards funding one of the Indigenous Family Support Trainees. Queensland Health has proposed $75,000 towards engaging a Health Services Development Project Officer for one year. Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV) has proposed In-Kind support through the engagement of two Indigenous Community Volunteers who will provide business planning, mentoring and support to Girudala, and to community members establishing themselves as Family Day Carers. The funding of the SRA is subject to the parties entering into a legally binding funding agreement. In return for these contributions, the Indigenous community of Bowen is expected to lead and engage in a range of activities and processes. In particular Girudala�on behalf of the community�will take on a number of responsibilities including secretariat support and a community coordination role, as well as providing office space and resources to the employees and volunteers engaged under the SRA. Girudala is also responsible for the processes associated with recruiting these staff. Supporting the work of Girudala, the Bowen Community Working Group (BCWG) will seek feedback, guidance and advice in relation to family support services from the Indigenous community of Bowen. The Bowen Community Working Group will also assist in the re-establishment of the Queensland Health Indigenous Health Reference Group, and both groups will hold regular, well-publicised meetings to which Girudala will provide transport for members of the community wishing to attend. Individuals will also volunteer their time and assist to run activities in the Family Support Program. The SRA intends to build on the strength of the BCWG, which is already working closely with members of the community, service providers and representatives from the Australian and Queensland Governments 'to enhance the quality and quantity of Family Support Services' (Indigenous Portal, January 2007). Performance Indicators and Key Milestones The implementation and success of the SRA will be assessed against two main indicators, including: the number of Family Support Programs developed and delivered in Bowen; and, the number of Indigenous people accessing Family Support Programs in Bowen. The progress of the SRA is also measurable against a number of key milestones, including: recruitment of an Indigenous Family Support Worker, three Indigenous Family Support Trainees and a Health Services Development Project Officer; engagement of two Indigenous Community Volunteers; completion of a business plan; and, development of an Aboriginal community controlled Health Service Model. Assessments of the progress and success of the SRA against the performance indicators and key milestones are to be made by the Indigenous Family Support Worker. Quarterly meetings occurring between the Bowen Community Working Group, the Townsville Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC) and representatives of the relevant departments of the Australian and Queensland Governments form part of the 'two-way feedback mechanism' under the SRA.