Creating Conduits, Facilitating Access Families, Communities and Access to Mainstream Services

1. Creating Conduits, Facilitating AccessFamilies, Communities and Access to Mainstream Services From Isolation to Connection ACT Children’s Plan Community Network Forum Australian Catholic University Canberra ACT, 29 April, 2009 Jeremy Boland Community Services & Development Northside Community Service

2. Overview Organisational overview Key community objectives Why is the research useful? How has NCS used the research? Programs and strategies

3. Organisational overview Northside Community Service (NCS) is a not-for-profit regional community service organisation delivering more than 40 diverse programs and services to a very wide range of people in the ACT, including children, young people, families, older people and people with a disability and/ or their carers. Our data shows that about 80% of the people to whom we deliver programs and services experience multiple and complex barriers to social and economic participation, including: Homelessness Unemployment Low educational attainment Disengagement from family and social supports Exposure to domestic violence and alcohol and other drugs Access to transport Functional limitations resulting from severe mental health issues and aged-acquired disabilities.

4. Key community objectives To increase social, economic and civic participation among disadvantaged people living in North Canberra. To increase opportunities that promote independence and social connectedness, and minimise interventions that erode these things, among older people and people with a disability living in North Canberra. To reduce the incidence of “toxic stress” among children aged 0-5 years living in North Canberra.

5. Why is the research is useful? Confirms that mainstream services are useful sources of social support Confirms that mainstream services are useful conduits to other kinds of support Confirms that mainstream services can support existing informal networks Confirms that some mainstream services in particular are useful “soft entry” points for families with young children where those families and children do not access other services and where they do not have the benefit of informal social networks (e.g. Centrelink) Confirms the centrality of relationships between families with young children and government and non-government service providers

6. How has NCS used the research to support program development? Working in the Grey, Draft Discussion Paper Formal services are important sources of social support Building the capacity of informal networks Linking role that could be played by ‘first to know’ service providers Flexible affordable child care Enough money Safe environments for children

7. Formal services are important sources of social support Access to Centrelink, Legal Aid, ACT Health MACH nurses through the outreach component of the Majura Youth & Family Hub in public housing communities This ‘place-based’ approach means families with young children can seek advice from and build relationships with otherwise ‘faceless’ agencies in a safe known environment

8. Building the capacity of informal networks Bega Playgroup Majura Playgroup Get Up & Go Healthy Lifestlye and Nutrition Ainslie Avenue Community Lunch Opportunities to volunteer and help design and deliver programs/ activities

9. Linking role that could be played by ‘first to know’ service providers Access to Centrelink, Legal Aid, MACH nurses, ACT Corrective Services (Probation & Parole), Tenancy Tribunal and utilities and essential services providers, through the outreach component of the Majura Youth & Family Hub (Community Linkages) in public housing communities Access to ‘other’ services such as Directions ACT, DVCS, etc.

10. Flexible affordable childcare Lock in the Learning A strategy to address disadvantage, help minimise the incidence of toxic stress and reduce barriers to social inclusion Facilitated access to free childcare (with a contribution later on) Assistance to access CCB and other benefits Evidence-based

11. Enough money Access to Centrelink and Legal Aid through the outreach component of the Majura Youth & Family Hub means payment issues can be dealt with face-to-face in a safe known environment Birth Certificates Volunteering opportunities (building skills and pathways to economic participation) Emergency relief

12. Safe environments for children Events and activities that are inclusive of children (e.g. Kids Capers Expo, Ainslie Avenue Precinct Community Lunch) Delivery of Protective Behaviours Working with communities to identify community assets and build stronger, more resilient communities. For example: 60% of respondents to the Inner North Social Capital Survey valued trustworthiness, honesty, kindness and standing up for themselves and others above all other values as the most important 59% of respondents felt they have control over decisions that affect their life 59% of respondents were happy with either most or all of their current life situation The social capital status of public housing tenants living in the Inner North is characterised by: Strong participation in the local community Close contacts with friends and family Regard for positive values (honesty, caring and trustworthiness) Positive feelings of happiness A sense of control over decisions that affect their lives