ISSUE 11 2016 JAN-MAR ALL STAFF WORKSHOP 2

GOOD NEWS STORY 3

STAFF PROFILE 5

RAATSICCRAATSICCRAATSICCfocus

RAATSICC is a non for profit community organization delivering

child, youth and family programs in Far North Queensland..

Message to our Members:

“ OUR CHILDREN, OUR YOUTH, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE, RESILIENT AND EMPOWERED”

Hello everyone, this is our 11th edition of our RAATSICC Focus and the first for 2016. We hope you all enjoyed your Christmas break and all was safe and happy. RAATSICC anticipates another very busy and rewarding year this year. Our

Operational directions will focus on Aligning with the current reforms Focusing on our core business Improving our outputs Strengthening our Advocacy And being Accountable to contracts, members,

communities, families, youth and children. Our workshop theme this quarter was called “ Building our Programs-strengthening our families. We tailored our workshop to enhance and upskill the knowledge base in our association to ensure that quality service is being delivered. RAATSICC is internally strengthening and aligning with the Qld Governments' Reform and Renewal initiatives. We will be focusing on 2 areas in the Social and Human Service System Child and Family (Supporting Qld families and

keeping children safe) Social Services (engaging with industry stakeholders to develop a Qld Community Services Jobs, Skills and Industry Strategy.

RAATSICC programs are under the Child and family reforms and we will be responding to the 7 key focus areas both strategically and operationally to ensure we work and align ourselves with other NGO’s and Government agencies in the FNQ region so we can work collaboratively. RAATSICC has also commenced the self assessment process in preparation for Audit under the HSQF (Human Services Quality Framework. So in conclusion, Cape York Gulf RAATSICC is aiming for a more streamlined look…..we acknowledge we will have some teething problems, however we are committed in getting there to continue to do the best and deliver the best for our people in the FNQ region.

Emma Schuh CEO

RAATSICCRAATSICCRAATSICC

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY—8 MARCH

RAATSICC ALL STAFF WORKSHOP

All RAATSICC program staff participated in a 2 day professional development workshop in Cairns on 2nd and 3rd February 2016 at our Spence Street offices. The workshop was focussed on building our programs and strengthening our families through effective service delivery. Family support and Recognised Entity staff from Cape York and the Cairns region where joined by Aurukun shelter staff, Family Care workers and CWDV Child Counsellors for the duration of the workshop. CEO, Emma Schuh addressed all staff outlining the importance of understanding the RAATSICC Operational Direction, Professionalism in the human service sector, and keeping up to date with the child and family reform agenda. Program team leaders and managers facilitated service delivery sessions covering topics including: Program reporting; Case note writing; Database entry and recording; Promotion of programs; Cultural support planning; Development of genograms; Family Support brokerage; Working with the practice framework. Corporate Unit staff, Colleen, Matilda and Karen presented information and advice on effective communication with service users and visitors to our offices. Other topics included understanding the new RAATSICC Employee Handbook and our salary sacrifice options.

RAATSICC Unit Managers, Peter Pilot and Larissa Walker outlined recommendations of the Domestic and Family Violence taskforce report, “Not Now Not Ever” and the Qld Child Protection Commission of Inquiry. These sessions were based on the importance of RAATSICC staff working in the human services sector to be aware of key developments in the field. ATSIFSS Practice and Development officer, Cynthia presented the RAATSICC supervision framework to all staff which outlines the importance of support and supervision for all staff. Thank you to all our staff who travelled from community to attend the workshop, and to staff who presented information during the workshop. It is good to see the knowledge, skills and experience within our workforce. We hope you found it beneficial to your role, and helped to increase your commitment to RAATSICC and our aim as a human service organisation.

Leading effective innovation training for raatsicc leadership team

RAATSICC Team Leaders, Program Support, Intake Officer and Managers attended a 2 day workshop with Vanine Gilmore from Worklife Directions. This was a great opportunity for RAATSICC senior staff to discuss, analyse and strategize on our leadership skills,

experience, strengths, and challenges and look at ways to improve as a team. Topics included: Leading Effective Innovation— competing in a global market, creating competitive advantage, using change to our advantage, linking organisational culture to performance improvements, developing responsive strategic plans, educating, training and

empowering employees, connecting with customers, encouraging creative thinking, brainstorming and collaboration, involving customers in innovation.

Leading Successful Change— rethinking the way we do business, staying competitive, understanding individual and organisational resistance to change, the effects of change in an organisation, the responsibility of managers to involve staff in change, engaging change

leaders, planning for change, reinforcing the value of successful change creating wins and achieving milestones. Contact Vanine at Worklife Directions at vanine@worklifedirections.com.au or www.worklifedirections.com.au

Take up the challenge to put an end to violence all Take up the challenge to put an end to violence all Take up the challenge to put an end to violence all over Queensland over Queensland over Queensland ––– in our workplaces, schools, in our workplaces, schools, in our workplaces, schools,

sporting clubs, neighbourhoodsporting clubs, neighbourhoodsporting clubs, neighbourhood

Jar-jum Nim-bul-ima (Children Return) Supports grandparents who are full-time carers of their grandchildren and not receiving the kinship carer payment or have a care plan through Department of Child Safety. The program offers: Funding for sports, recreational activities and

school camps; Overnight cultural camps for grandfamilies; Telephone information, referral and support.

For more information: Phone: 1300 135 500 Email: grandparentsinfo@uccommunity.org.au Website: www.grandparentqld.com.au Elders Abuse Prevention Unit—1300 651 192

TIME FOR GRANDPARENTS INFORMATION

GOOD NEWS STORY —A CLIENT SHARES

Celesta first started working with RAATSICC in December 2014 with the Yarrabah family support worker and when she relocated, continued working with the Cairns family support worker. At this same time Celesta had been working with child safety for several years and then was referred to RAATSICC family support service. After some ups and downs child safety were ready to reunify Celesta’s child with her in May 2015. Since the reunification Celesta and RAATSICC have worked closely together on budgeting plans which has assisted to achieve a permanent 3 bedroom home and furniture. Celesta has her eldest daughter back

full time and also has a new baby who is very healthy and happy. Child Safety has closed this families case after 7 years and are no longer involved with the family. What Celesta has to say: “I think it would be good for other people in my situation to get linked in with RAATSICC. It is good to know that people and organisations like RAATSICC are out there than can help people like me and people in my community. I would recommend RAATSICC to anyone who needs help like me and I would use them again if I need help. RAATSICC helped me rehabilitate myself and in my mind as an Indigenous woman. I thought child safety were coming to steal my child away. RAATSICC helped me keep my children in my family until I got my children back in my care. When I first met my support worker I thought I wouldn’t get help because that’s what happened with other services, people said they would help me but they would never come back and then my support worker helped me with everything from getting my children back to finding my place and finishing up with child safety. From this experience I have learnt how to help myself and get my family back on track”. What Richard the Family Support Worker has to say: “The RAATSICC family is very proud of Celesta, making the big efforts to achieve the goals and as the family support worker that has worked with and seen what Celesta and her family have gone through for the past 18 months, I am very proud to see their achievements” Well done and congratulations! THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY CELESTA.

Every one of us has a role to play in changing the culture, attitudes and systems that underpin violence in our community. The Queensland Government is implementing the Not Now, Not Ever campaign to raise community awareness and encourage community participation during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May. The message is Not Now, Not Ever: Take up the challenge to put an end to domestic and family violence.

Through the Not Now, Not Ever campaign we want to build an online collection of videos showcasing the wonderful work people are doing in their communities. Take a look at the videos and photos of the wonderful work communities all across Queensland are doing to change the culture and attitudes that underpin violence in our community.

www.qld.gov.au/notnownotever

https://www.vision6.com.au/ch/33948/17m91/2421150/8cd4213syk.htmlhttps://www.vision6.com.au/ch/33948/17m91/2421150/8cd4213syk-1.htmlhttps://www.vision6.com.au/ch/33948/187dg/2421150/1512313syk-1.html

MEET AND GREETSMEET AND GREETSMEET AND GREETS

22 March 201622 March 201622 March 2016 23 March 201623 March 201623 March 2016

CoenCoenCoen

RAATSICC Leadership Team putting their supervisor hat’s on during an in-service with

Emma from Employsure.

Coen Meet and Greet was held on 22

March 2016 at the Coen Wellbeing

Centre. There was a good group of

attendees from local services,

including QLD Health, Coen Clinic,

School, Justice Group, Family

Responsibility Commission, and

Coen Police. RAATSICC staff

outlined the work RAATSICC does

in Coen and specifically discussed the

work of the Recognised Entity

Advisory, Aunty May is doing in

Coen.

Lockhart River

Lockhart River

Lockhart River

Norah Bagiri, Fiona McLeod & Daphney Claremont organised the

Lockhart River meet and Greet on 23 March 2016. 10 individuals

attended representing their work agencies as well as 3 community

members. Presentations focussed on all RAATSICC programs

offered to Far North Queensland communities, including Lockhart

River. Conversations centred on the advocacy support

RAATSICC may be able to support the community with in regards

to improving communication with other agencies. All attendees

provided information about their roles and services and shared

referral processes with the group. Requests were made about

RAATSICC referral processes and staff agreed to send through

current referral processes for all programs delivered to Lockhart

River.

RAATSICC staff have been busy conducting Meet and Greet sessions in communities that we pro-vide services to, enabling other stakeholders and community members to meet our staff and hear

about the various programs that we deliver. These are also a great opportunity for RAATSICC and other organisations to build our working relationships to improve our support to our service users.

Karl, Suzi, Uncle Roy and Larissa tested their carpentry skills in assembling children equipment bought through the Western Cape Communities Trust grant received for the Aurukun Womens Shelter. The childrens area is looking pretty good with new books, toys, and equipment. RAATSICC thanks WCCCA for their support to ensure the children that come to the shelter have items to play with and keep them occupied.

INNISFAIL CLOSE THE GAP

WORKER PROFILE WORKER PROFILE

LELA

LELA

IDAGI

IDAGI

My passion is working with children and

families to help bring the best out in

themselves. I enjoy heading out for the

weekend with my family to go bush or

beach fishing, camping, cultural activities

and hearing stories of the old people and

culture. As long as there is running water I

am happy to go along. When I am not

working I enjoy cooking for my little family

at home or inviting friends and family over

for good laughs and great food.

I have currently been with RAATSICC for

8 months and look forward to extending

this journey longer. Working with

RAATSICC has gained me a wealth of

knowledge towards my future, which I hope

to be able to give back to my community

and fellow Indigenous people.

I have a 2 year old daughter who is a

daddies girl and knows how to wrap people

around her little finger to get her own way.

She is my bright little star that continues to

amaze me every day. Apart from her I also

like to claim my nieces and nephews as my

own children just so I can spoil them.

FAMILY CARE WORKER, WUJAL WUJAL AND LAURA. LELA IS BASED IN COOKTOWN.

NEW RAAT

SICC

NEW RAAT

SICC

UNIFORMS

UNIFORMS

On Thursday 17th March 2016 Sandee (RE Support Officer) and Carol (Innisfail FSW)

attended the Closing The Gap event run by Mamu Health Service Ltd. Stakeholders

in attendance included Centrelink, Innisfail Community Support Centre, Men’s Shed,

Innisfail State College, VPG, Blue Nurses, Mamu Health Service. RAATSICC staff where

able to meet stakeholders, gather information about other services and provide

information about RAATSICC services to community members.

April 6th Patimah

9th Roberta

9th Josh

24th Clara

29th Gertrude

May 24th May

27th Jay

28th Barbara

June 10th Larissa

12th Asta

25th Rita

Cape York / Gulf Remote Area Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Child Care Advisory Association Inc.

120 Spence Street, PO Box 6242, Cairns Qld 4870

Phone: (07) 4030 0900 Fax: (07) 4041 5082 Free Call: 1300 663 411

“Our Children, Our Youth, Our Families and Our Communities are safe, resilient and empowered”

UPCOMING EVENTS April

8-17: National Youth Week 25-30: Foster and Kinship Carer Week

May

1-31: Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

8: Mothers Day 15: International Day of Families

15-21: National Families Week 20: National Sorry Day

21-28: Under Eights Week 26: National Sorry Day

27 May—3 June: National Reconciliation Week

June 3: MABO Day

15: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 17: Foundation Day (Yarrabah)

Welcome Welcome Welcome

to new to new to new

staffstaffstaff

Karl Adams is the new Aurukun Family Support

worker joining the CY Family Support Team based in

the Napranum office.

Naurelle Forester has joined the Cairns Family Support

team and will be supporting Cairns-based families.

KarlKarlKarl NaurelleNaurelleNaurelle

GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCKGOODBYE AND GOOD LUCKGOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK

We are sad to say goodbye to RAATSICC emp

loyees Marissa

Sabatino and Enid Chevathen. Marissa was th

e Aurukun Family

Support worker, based in Weipa and Enid was

the Recognised

Entity Advisor for Aurukun and also worked as

Senior Shelter

worker at Ma’aathan Womens Shelter, Aurukun

.

We wish you both the best in all your future

endeavours.