AHCSA NEWSDecember 2008

Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc.

‘Our health, our choice, our way’

This issueFrom the CEO P1-P2AHCSA Supports Health Accreditation P2Port Augusta Centre for Excellence P3Yvonne Buza Visits the UN P4COAG: Significant Step P4PLAHS Celebrates Upgraded Services P5Nunyara Wellbeing Centre gets Facelift P6Nunyara Hosts SA Health Minister P6AHCSA Assists GMBH in Victoria P7QUM Attends International Training P8

New Resource for AMIC Training P9-P10Nganampa Celebrates 25 years P11-P12Perko Ngurratti ‘Healing Messages’ P13CCRE Completes Term P14Our Journey to Respect P15Wiltanendi Launch ‘Friendz’ P16Babies on the Move P17Nunga Young Mums P18 Passionate Workers at Disability SA P19Denise Thomas joins BreastScreen SA P20Changes at CNAHS P20

SAAHP Update P21Dreamtime Wins Champion Award P22Aboriginal People Travelling Well P22

From the CEO cont’d

position in Sydney on renal disease in Aboriginal children. Diabetes and renal disease is a particular passion of Sean’s and the opportunity was too good to pass up. We wish him well and hope to see him back in SA one day.

Regina was working on the AHW Registration Project which was only funded for one year. The final report is currently being collated. Regina returned to the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service and we all wish her well.

Chris was working as the Senior Admin Officer on a temporary contract. At the end of his contract, he decided to take a well earned break and travel overseas. We have had some lovely postcards from Greece.

It is also with much sadness that we announce the Centre of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) will be coming to an end in December 2008 and we will be saying goodbye to Merridy Malin, Glenn Giles and Helen Diassinas. As you may know, the CCRE is a partnership between AHCSA and Flinders University and was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council for five years. One of the main goals of the CCRE was to build the capacity of Aboriginal communities to conduct and control research. The CCRE has laid a solid foundation for us to work from and AHCSA will continue to build on this.

A formal launch of the CCRE Achievements Document was officiated by Minister Hill on 20 November. I would like to thank Glenn, Merridy and Helen for their hard work and commitment, and wish them well for the future. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the CCRE Board whose Chairperson is Yvonne Buza and all the other partners and stakeholders involved with the CCRE.

The NACCHO AGM was held in Broome on 11-14 November to coincide with Broome Aboriginal Medical Services (BRAMS) 30 year celebrations. Congratulations to BRAMS!

AHCSA’s 2008 Annual General Meeting was held on 2-3 December in Ceduna and I look forward to bringing you up-to-date on this in the new year.

I’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year.

Mary Buckskin Chief Executive Officer

Cover photo: Pukatja choir performing at the 25th Anniversary of Nganampa Health Council.

AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 2

From the CEO

Welcome to our last newsletter for 2008. I can’t believe how fast this year has gone and how busy we have been.

Secretariat staff are currently planning the move to AHCSA’s new premises. We have found a larger building at 9-11 King William Road, Unley which has a

large boardroom as well as a training room so we can hold our full board meetings and conduct training onsite. We expect to move during January and will have a formal opening ceremony to coincide with the first board meeting next year. I’d like to say a special thank you to Darrien and Richard for all their hard work in coordinating the many tasks for the move. New contact details including phone and fax numbers, postal address etc. will be notified as soon as they are available.

On 3-4 September, AHCSA Board Members met on the APY Lands at Umuwa in recognition of Nganampa Health Council’s 25th anniversary. This is a great achievement for Nganampa as they are now one of the most successful Aboriginal Health Services in Australia. We were well looked after by all Nganampa staff and I would like to thank Jamie and John for their gracious hospitality.

We are also pleased that Pika Wiya Health Service and Ceduna/Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service are undertaking the process to become Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. This will mean that they will no longer be incorporated under the South Australian Health Commission Act. The transition process will take up to two years and AHCSA is keen to support both services.

Nunyara Well Being Centre Inc. have also started the process to become fully independent. A planning day was held in July and AHCSA will also support Nunyara throughout this process.

AHCSA has had a few more staff changes since our last edition. I am pleased to announce that we were successful in gaining a three year funding agreement for ATSIHRTONN and that Anna Leditschke has rejoined AHCSA as the National Coordinator.

Anna replaces Ruth Miller who left to join Families SA. I’d like to acknowledge Ruth, particularly her work with Richard Nelson in securing the three year contract. In late November, AHCSA advertised for a Project Officer and Admin Officer for ATSIHRTONN and we will announce the appointees in the new year. You may have noticed the name has added another ‘N’. It is now known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Registered Training Organisation National Network (ATSIHRTONN) as members agreed to add national to their title to adequately reflect the expansive role of the network.

Yvonne Helps has been appointed to the role of Research Assistant ‘Chronic condition management strategies for Aboriginal Communities’. She is responsible for the provision of quality research support for the ‘Chronic condition management strategies for Aboriginal Communities’ project. Yvonne will assist the Chief Investigators and participating health services to obtain ethics approvals for the project, develop data collection tools and protocols, facilitate collaboration with partner organisations, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative project data, liaise with participating services and communities, implement chronic condition management strategies, draft reports and disseminate information, and maintain the administrative requirements associated with the project.

I am also pleased to announce that AHCSA has secured funding for three years for a Statewide Aboriginal Tobacco Coordinator. Harold Stewart came out of retirement to take the position.

In addition, we welcomed Shay Conder to the Admin Team on a short term contract as the Acting Officer Manager. Shay comes with a lot of experience in the corporate field.

Receptionist Lois and Admin Trainee Jonathan are going well with their studies in Certificate III Business Administration and we hope this is the beginning of a long career for them.

AHCSA said goodbye to Sean Taylor, Regina Williams and Chris Rektsinis. Sean was the Clinical Educator with the Education and Training Team and left to take up a research

AHCSA is establishing a program for the promotion and support of accreditation activities in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) and Substance Misuse Services in South Australia.

The accreditation framework will ensure that the quality and safety standards of each service are at least equal to those in the general Australian health care system. The services participating have increasingly demonstrated a willingness to undertake quality improvement and accreditation.

The 2007-08 Budget measure ‘A Better Future for Indigenous Australians - Establishing Quality Health Standards’ (EQHS) sets out an expectation that all ACCHSs funded by the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health be accredited against Australian health care standards by June 2011.

The project is separated into two components:

1. Initial scoping study to assess ACCHSs and Substance Misuse Services to ascertain their readiness for service delivery and organisational accreditation, and to identify obstacles to the process. Kathleen Stacey from beyond...(Kathleen Stacey & Associates) Pty Ltd began this process in mid November. Both Kathleen and her team bring a wealth of experience from their work with AHCSA and members services, and their background in accreditation.

2. Support program to assist services with the practical and strategic components required to qualify for full accreditation status for the services they provide or if

already accredited, to maintain accreditation. This will extend over the next two and a half years until June 2011. An Accreditation Support Officer will be appointed and based at AHCSA and a key strategy of this project is to support member services and the Accreditation Facilitators.

If you would like further information on accreditation for your health service please contact Richard Nelson, Deputy CEO, tel: 8132 6700.

AHCSA Board members at the September Board meeting at Umuwa

1 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008

AHCSA Supports Accreditation For Health Services

AHCSA News is published three times per year. Editorial and photographic contributions are welcomed at any time from AHCSA members and associated government departments and agencies. Please send your contributions to: Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. 78 Fullarton Road, Norwood SA 5067 (PO Box 787, Kent Town SA 5067) Tel: (08) 8132 6700 Fax: (08) 8132 6799 Email: ahcsa@ahcsa.org.au Website: www.ahcsa.org.au

Coordinated by Amanda Mitchell, AHCSA.

Edited and designed by Dreamtime Public Relations Tel: (08) 8223 2576 Fax: (08) 8223 4093 Email: info@dreamtimepr.com Website: www.dreamtimepr.com

This newsletter is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process, either in whole or part, without the prior written approval of AHCSA.

Enquiries should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer. Please note that the views expressed may not always be those of AHCSA. This newsletter may contain photographs of people who have passed away.

Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the information contained in this newsletter is accurate, errors and omissions can occur. We apologise for any error/omission and ask that you report these to Amanda Mitchell for correction in future editions. Email: amanda.mitchell@ahcsa.org.au

3 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 4

In June 2007, the Minister for Health released the State Health Care Plan which identified Port Augusta would become a Centre for Excellence (C4E) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. The plan highlighted that Port Augusta would take the lead on developing integrated, connected and responsive services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and support the delivery of this type of integrated service across country and metropolitan South Australia.

The overarching objectives for the C4E is to ensure Country Health SA delivers access to better services to Aboriginal people to improve their health and wellbeing. The Centre will focus on demonstrating, modelling and teaching best practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health by working closely with local communities and local health service providers.

The next step was an Open Forum held in Port Augusta on 26 May 2008 at the site of the Port Augusta Hospital and Regional Health Service. This was the first stage of the community consultation process which was designed to help in the development of the C4E operational plan. At the forum participants were given information from historical and current perspectives. There was also an opportunity to ask questions and to contribute to the future directions of the C4E through participation in a workshop which was facilitated by Dana Shen, Director of Program Development with the Statewide Service Strategy, SA Health.

The C4E task group has been meeting since August 2007 and consists of representatives from various sectors including the PAH&RHS, Pika Wiya Health Service, the Flinders and Far North Divisions of General Practice, Department of Trade and Economic Development, Local Government, Transitional Housing Management in Port Augusta and CHSA Aboriginal Health Directorate, and since July 2008 AHCSA. The task group will also see the establishment of sub-groups based on the key elements with representatives from stakeholders. Objectives from the open forum were:

Development of a Model

• WhatdoesitmeantobeaCentreforExcellenceinAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

Key Elements to Make the Model Work

•CommunityInvolvement

•Leadership

•Servicedelivery

•Linkages

•WorkforceDevelopment

Community Involvement

• EngagingAboriginalpeoplefromacrosstheStateateverystage in the design of facilities.

Leadership

• Operationalpolicydevelopmenttostrengthen‘AboriginalFriendly’ services and encourage cultural respect.

• CleargovernanceestablishedforthemanagementoftheCentre, driven by Aboriginal people in Port Augusta.

•Establishingacontinualimprovementphilosophy.

Service Delivery

• DevelopingeffectiveAboriginalhealthservicedeliverymodels and resources with a whole of life cycle focus (early prevention, palliative care, acute) to share across the State.

• Improvingoutreachservicestoremoteareas.

• EnhancementofsocialandemotionalwellbeingservicesforAboriginal people.

• DevelopingandmodellingclinicalpathwaysspecificallyforAboriginal people including the priority population groups of early childhood and aged care.

Linkages

• WorkinginpartnershipwithAHCSA,OATSIH,theAboriginalHealth Division (Department of Health) and other peak Aboriginal health organisations.

•Linkwiththepolicyframeworkasidentified.

• LinkingwiththevarietyoforganisationsthroughouttheStateworking in partnership.

• SetastandardforbestpracticeinAboriginalhealthtothefour general hospitals, all country health services and statewide health services.

• Provideaclearinghouseforaccesstolocal,statewideandnational research information.

Workforce Development

• DevelopthecapacityforAboriginalpeopletogainandmaintain employment across disciplines in country health services.

• Haveastrongteachingcomponent,buildingonsuccessfulmodels such as the Unique Centre of Learning at Pika Wiya Health Service.

• Accessibleforpeershadowingandplacementsforpersonnel from across country to strengthen cultural awareness skills in clinical practice.

Charles Jackson is the Project Manager for the Centre for Excellence based at the Port Augusta Hospital, Country Health SA, and is available to assist with any queries regarding the Centre and can be contacted on (08) 8648 5779 or Charles.Jackson@health.sa.gov.au

In November, a community meeting was held at Port Augusta to secure community representation on the sub-groups. An update will be provided in the next AHCSA News.

The Seventh Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum (UNPFII) on Indigenous Issues was held in New York in April 2008. Due to 2020 summit commitments by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chairperson, AHCSA Board Member Yvonne Buza attended to represent NACCHO.

Yvonne said, “What an experience it was!”

The UNPFII is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council with a mandate to discuss Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.

This year a special theme was introduced to address many important issues that may impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people such as climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: the stewardship role of Indigenous peoples and new challenges.

The delegation consisted of some 40 representatives from all jurisdictions including land councils, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity, government and community organisations. A youth group was also present to observe the UNPFII process

in an effort to guarantee future participation and succession planning.

Yvonne said, “It was an amazing experience and an opportunity to unite with other Indigenous people to present views to existing governments in a neutral and inviting environment. Although sessions generally kept us busy most days, we did get the opportunity to check out some of the amazing landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero.”

Updated information on the seventh session of the UNPFII is available on www.un.org/UNPFII

Port Augusta - Centre for Excellence

Yvonne in front of photos of the previous and current UN Secretary-Generals respectively L-R: Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi A Annan and Ban Ki-Moon

Dr Mick Adams, Chair of NACCHO, the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) says the COAG package for Aboriginal health is unprecedented, is a huge step forward to closing the life expectancy gap, and is one that NACCHO welcomes with much excitement and anticipation to work collaboratively with Governments to implement this awesome package over the next four years.

“An additional $806 million from the Federal Government for Indigenous health over four years and $772 million from the states is a major funding boost that I look forward to seeing deployed in our primary health care services on the frontline of closing the gap. The emphasis on chronic disease, strengthening primary health care services, training, access to specialists, access to medicines and prevention programmes are all welcome. I look forward to a meaningful partnership between, the over 140 ACCHSs represented by NACCHO and the federal, state and territory governments to ensure Aboriginal peoples are involved in the development, delivery and implementation of this new package” Dr Adams said.

A recommendation endorsed by delegates from ACCHSs across the country at our Annual General Meeting two weeks ago was: NACCHO members believe that Aboriginal people’s full participation in the health service design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation is integral to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.

Therefore in order to Close the Gap of life expectancy within a generation NACCHO Members call on the Commonwealth

and State/Territory Governments to ensure that as much of the funding as possible for Aboriginal primary health care is provided through ACCHSs, where it is to have the greatest effect in terms of access to services and comprehensive models of care.

Dr Adams said, “The philosophy of ACCHSs expressed in the resolution was endorsed in March by the Prime Minister and Minister Roxon as part of the Close the Gap Statement of Intent they signed. The government has committed to a national partnership with us through the Statement of Intent and we would like to see that put in action, particularly the commitment to “Ensuring the full participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their representative bodies in all aspects of addressing their health needs”.

“Accordingly, we would now like to sit down with government and work out how to get the best value from the funds committed so far, and to develop a long term comprehensive strategic plan that covers all areas of closing the gap. I also welcome the ongoing support from the AMA for our Community Controlled Services that was expressed again in the last week by Dr Capolingua in the AMAs Indigenous Health Report Card.

“I believe this package announced at COAG is an important start to also fulfilling the commitment in the Close the Gap Statement of Intent to ensure our people have access to adequate and culturally appropriate health services in order for us to play our important part in Closing the Gap in life expectancy for our people by 2018” Dr Adams said.

COAG: A Significant Step towards Closing the Gap

Yvonne Buza Visits the UN

5 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 6

Sixteen years of improving the health of the Aboriginal community was celebrated at an official opening of the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service’s (PLAHS) major renovations in October. PLAHS completed a major upgrade this year to provide more rooms and services.

Promotions Officer Jeremy Coaby was master of ceremonies and welcomed the public to join in the celebrations. Chief Executive Officer Harry Miller and Chairperson Les Kropinyeri gave the keynote speeches and a luncheon followed with guests from local agencies.

PLAHS began in 1992 and was based at the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Community Council. The Service then moved to Haigh Street and in 1993 to the current site behind the Investigator Clinic.

Chairperson Les Kropinyeri said the service had grown from a staff of about six to eighty full-time and part-time workers. PLAHS now offers a wide range of health services from clinical to support and these are now being expanded due to the upgrade.

“Part of what we do is a holistic approach to health with a focus on closing the gap. The Federal Government has indicated it wants to look at the seventeen-year gap between life expectancy for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people,” Mr Kropinyeri said.

“The biggest thing for us now is to start being more positive working in the area of closing the gap and make our services better and work in with hospitals, community health and other agencies,” he said.

The expansion of the service has also given more Aboriginal people the opportunity to be involved and gain experience on the committee. “More responsibility has come as it’s grown, along with accountability. Our committee members undergo governance training and other training,” Mr Kropinyeri said.

Committee representation doesn’t just serve the community, it helps the individual understand the decisions they make, who that affects and how an organisation works he said.

The official opening gave PLAHS an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and the people who helped found it and keep it running well today. Mr Kropinyeri acknowledged the hard work of past and present committee members and the five chief executive officers. “The committee members’ effort and making themselves available has been the driving force behind what it is today.”

PLAHS will continue to grow as well as share and glean ideas and practices with health councils statewide and nationally. The Service is represented on the State Government’s Advisory Council, AHCSA and nationally.

“We’re sharing ideas at a national level, which means it comes back down to us, with ideas on accessing mainstream and other services to get the best possible service we can, and share ideas on development,” said Mr Kropinyeri.

Chief Executive Officer Harry Miller said quality staff would continue to make the health service a top organisation. “It’s obvious the renovations undertaken over the years has given us a wonderful infrastructure for the Aboriginal community, and the level of commitment by staff in all the services addressing health needs in the community, however challenging at the time, cannot be questioned.”

“It’s good to have a governing committee and work with them representing the community views - it makes us more aware of what’s needed and how we can plan to address those needs,” Harry said.

Nunyara Wellbeing Centre Gets Facelift

Nunyara Wellbeing Centre was pleased to host South Australian Health Minister John Hill on 28 October.

Minister Hill was in town to officially open a community-run health information centre at the Whyalla Hospital called ‘Health In Our Hands’ and accepted an invitation from Nunyara Manager Cindy Zbierski to tour the Centre. Community members and management welcomed him along with his advisor, Natalie Rutherford.

Minister Hill said his government was keen to adopt an Aboriginal community controlled health services model. “The outcome is better if the services are controlled by the community,” he said. “It works better with the community; I think it’s the right model.”

Minister Hill went on to say that he is committed to help raising the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians. “A very strong local run Aboriginal health service and making sure other services are Aboriginal friendly will help,” he said.

He spoke briefly about the Centre’s Aboriginal Maternity and Infant Care program. “There are good indicators that birth weight is increasing. It is important for health workers to interact with mothers early to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy,” he said.

Minister Hill was clearly impressed with the layout and design of the Nunyara Wellbeing Centre. “It’s one of the best conversions I’ve ever seen. It’s light, airy and has a beautiful garden, I’m very pleased,” he commented.

Minister Hill travelled to other towns in the region following his visit to Nunyara.

Nunyara Wellbeing Centre Inc. has received a well-needed face-lift to the front of the building. The tired front garden also received a massive boost after the centre enlisted the services of local gardening company Kev’s Mowing and Landscaping.

“We wanted to clear the yard and install a more efficient garden while lifting the appearance of the area,” Nunyara Aboriginal Maternity and Infant Care worker Sonia Beattie said.

“The boys have put in drought resistant plants and shrubs which have been complemented by the laying of bark-chips.”

Centre Manager Cindy Zbierski said the upgrade was long overdue. “The front area of the building has remained unattended since the Centre’s inception in 2000,” she said.

“It took about three days to finish and it really has made a huge difference. We’re very happy with the end result,” Cindy added.

Nunyara provides culturally appropriate primary health care and health promotion programs for Whyalla’s Aboriginal community including education and advice to help families access the services they need from government and mainstream services.

For further information, please contact the centre on 8649 4366.

Nunyara Hosts SA Health Minister John Hill

PLAHS opening

Jeremy Coaby, MC for the opening

Kiya on the swing at Nunyara

Kiya Dunn, Brenda Carter and Kayna Dunn

Minister John Hill at Nunyara, Manager Cindy Zbierski far right

Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Celebrates Upgraded Services

7 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 8

Over the last 12 months, AHCSA have been assisting the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) with the Good Medicines Better Health (GMBH) project.

AHCSA has supported VAHS with initial training, developing session plans, acquiring resources to assist with training, and promoting positive reinforcement to trainers that they are achieving their goals and targets.

The GMBH project has allowed VAHS to develop more scope with their Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) in terms of attaining skills and knowledge in the areas of general Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) and QUM in Asthma, Diabetes and Hypertension.

VAHS have facilitated training sessions on general QUM and are currently preparing for the delivery of the QUM Asthma module.

Within VAHS, the support for the GMBH training has also been with cooperation and enthusiasm. AHWs attending from the various programs discuss with each other issues of chronic disease that translate into whole of organisation and/or program policies and procedures, greater use and knowledge of medical equipment and cohesive compliance to structures that are parallel with medical accreditation processes. This allows for whole of staff to be involved in how patients are given greater quality of care.

VAHS AHWs have the general concept of quality QUM and the three chronic diseases with varying degrees of knowledge and understanding. However, the GMBH train the trainer project has given VAHS an opportunity to increase AHWs knowledge and skills to deliver current and effective messages on QUM to improve the wellbeing of their community and also support each other in AHWs daily roles and responsibilities.

With the training, VAHS will look at the evaluation of training and uptake of QUM messages by AHWs. They will continue to monitor with support and encouragement to maintain the high standards that the community want and expect from VAHS.

AHCSA has played an important part in preparing VAHS for delivery of training sessions and they would like to particularly thank Michele Robinson who supports them with visits to the service. In the earlier stages of the project, thanks is given to Graham Williams.

NACCHO and NPS (National Prescribing Service) have also been significant to the development and VAHS are grateful for their input and support of the Good Medicines Better Health project.

On 29 June to 11 July 2008, Victorian QUM Project Officer Joanne Hedges was privileged to attend the 5th International Training Course in Cape Town, South Africa, with the support of the National Prescribing Service (NPS).

The course titled ‘Promoting Rational Medicines Use in the Community’ allowed Joanne to gain a greater comprehension of medicine use in the community.

Participants were predominantly from Africa and South Africa with one participant from Canada and Joanne being the only one from Australia. The course was intense throughout the entire two weeks with facilitators from the University of Amsterdam, University of Western Cape, Royal Tropical Institute, The Netherlands, Medicines Policy & Standards Dept, WHO, Health Link, London & Halland Communication, and Norway.

Subjects covered included how to investigate the use of medicines by consumers, factors which influence medicine use by consumers, prioritising and analysing medicines use problems, sampling, data analysis, monitoring and evaluating, and linking research to interventions.

To complement this, the course investigated how to improve the use of medicines by consumers and covered components of face-to-face communication, developing effective print materials and mass media, pre-testing, working with journalists, managerial and regulatory strategies, and advocacy and networking.

Participants were put in groups and came up with questions that could be asked when they went on a field trip to a local community health service. It was at the community health service that the groups conducted interviews with senior staff, individual patient interviews and focus group discussions with data and sampling included at the end of the field trip which was analysed.

On the last two days of the course participants came together to develop a work plan of all the subjects they had covered throughout the course to present to the rest of the group.

Joanne said, “The course contents itself was very rewarding and allowed me to gain more knowledge in the area of medicine use in communities. Due to most of the participants being from Africa and South Africa, a lot of discussion with medicine use evolved around HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. However, it was interesting to hear how the participants conduct their work in their own communities and is very similar to how we as AHWs provide support, advocacy and education to our own communities.”

On the last day, all participants graduated and received an award for participating. As a group, they went on a tour of Cape Town. “I enjoyed seeing the beautiful country and coast line, although in contrast it was appalling to see the difference in living standards and conditions between the black and white groups.” Joanne said.

She went on to say, “The culture of South Africa was quite sensitive in terms of race relations and the poverty of the traditional owners. Seeing the conditions of living standards where there was no running water, electricity and in some places no sanitation and the conditions of the community health service I visited on my field trip made me thankful for the fight our Elders and leaders have done here in Australia. To maintain our dignity and rights and standard of health that we are entitled to, even though it’s not entirely to the benchmark we would like, I feel that our Elders and leaders need to be congratulated for the work they have achieved for our people and continue to fight for equality.”

“I made many new friends during my two weeks and was able to get some insight into the politics, culture and history of the country. I am keeping in touch with some of the participants and I have been invited to visit the many different countries where they live eg Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Canada.”

“I highly recommend consideration be given by NPS to have a similar course here in Australia to support AHWs, managers and other staff within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to have the opportunity to improve knowledge, skills and competencies in promoting rational medicines use in our communities.”

QUM attends 5th International Training Course in South Africa

AHCSA assists Good Medicines Better Health in Victoria

Joanne Hedges and Colin Mitchell from VAHS

Training course participants in South Africa

9 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 10

A brand new resource has been developed to assist to train Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) to become Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care (AMIC) Workers. Training AHWs in maternal and infant care has long been a high priority of AHCSA’s Board of Management.

The Board’s decision was prompted by:

• PrevalenceoflowbirthweightsforbabiesborntoAboriginalwomen.

• DisproportionaterateofinfantmortalityincludingSuddenInfant Death Syndrome (SIDS) of babies born to Aboriginal mothers.

• DisproportionaterateofAboriginalteenagemothers.

• Disproportionateratebetweennon-AboriginalandAboriginalwomen in breast feeding.

• DisproportionaterateofinfantmortalityinAboriginalcommunities.

• Needfortrainingofhealthprofessionalstobothinform and support Aboriginal women in maternal and infant care.

The Gap

Existing models of maternity care in South Australia do not meet the needs of Aboriginal women. Access to better maternity services for Aboriginal women and their families living in country South Australia is essential to achieving a reduction in the incidence of chronic disease and low birth weight infants (Pregnancy Outcome Unit Report SA 2006).

Over the last three years, Country Health SA (CHSA) piloted family birthing programs in Port Augusta and Whyalla communities. Due to the success of these programs it was decided to base the training of AMIC Workers on this model as it rests on a reciprocal partnership - Midwives provide support with practical skills while AMIC Workers provide cultural support.

Appropriate Training

In 2006, AHCSA’s Board directed that an appropriate training resource be developed which would lead to a professional qualification. The Certificate IV Practice was chosen with elective units drawn from Diploma level.

A Quality Assurance Group (QAG) was formed to guide the process of resource development comprising representatives from:

• PortAugustaandWhyallaAboriginalcommunities

• CountryHealthSA

• ChildYouthandWomen’sServices,SADepartmentofHealth

• SchoolsofNursingandMidwifery,UniversityofSouthAustralia and Flinders University

• PikaWiyaHealthService(PortAugusta)

• NunyaraWellBeingCentre(Whyalla)

• AMICWorkersfromPortAugustaandWhyallahospitals

• MidwivesfromPortAugustaandWhyallahospitals

• FlindersUniversitySchoolofNursing

• UniversityofSouthAustraliaSchoolofNursing

• AboriginalHealthCouncilofSouthAustralia

In January 2008, AHCSA applied for funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing for the development of the AMIC training resource. The QAG was replaced by a Training Advisory Group (TAG) which guided a team of Resource Development Consultants (RDC) to ensure that the resources were clinically accurate and culturally appropriate.

The RDC team was made up of:

• AndreaMerrigan,Trainer,EducationandTrainingTeam,Workforce Development Branch, AHCSA

• CherylBoles,SeniorProjectOfficer,CHSAAboriginalFamilyBirthing Program Project Proposal and Midwife Anangu Bibi Birthing Program, Port Augusta

• AnneFoale,CommunityMidwifeandMidwifeAnanguBibiBirthing Program, Port Augusta Hospital

•LaviniaJackson,AdministrationSupport

• AnnScreen,TechnicalWritingConsultant(formerAdvancedSkills Lecturer TAFE SA until July 2008, now retired)

• DeannaStuart-Butler,AMICWorker,AnanguBibiBirthingProgram, Port Augusta Hospital

• DrJuliaVnuk,GPAdvisor,AboriginalHealthProgram,Flinders and Far North Division of General Practice and Tutor, Pika Wiya Learning Centre, Port Augusta

The TAG was supported by the Cultural Reference Group and included:

• AnnaCaponi,ServicesCoordinator,PikaWiyaHealthService

• AnnNewchurch,WorkforceIssuesProjectOfficer,Workforce Development Branch, AHCSA

• BrendaCarter,SeniorAHW,NunyaraWellbeingCentre

• SoniaBeattie,AMICWorker,NunyaraWellbeingCentre

• IdaCalgaret,AMICWorker,NunyaraWellbeingCentre

• EuniceAston,formerlyCHSA

• GrahamWilliams,Manager,EducationandTrainingTeam,Workforce Development Branch, AHCSA

What Does an AMIC Worker Do?

The AMIC course is designed for AHWs who are working in an AMIC setting. Students will undertake extensive training both on the job and in the classroom. Pathways into midwifery are currently being negotiated with Flinders University and the University of SA.

Trainee AMIC Workers will:

• Learnspecialistantenatal,perinatalandpostnatalknowledge,skills and attitudes.

• ProvidetheculturallinkbetweenAboriginalpregnantwomenand their babies, and the mainstream health system.

• Deliver(undertheclinicalsupervisionofdoctorsandmidwives)safe and effective antenatal, labour, birthing and postnatal care to Aboriginal women using a primary health care approach.

• Delivercareasanequalmemberofaprimaryhealthcareteam in partnership with doctors and midwives.

•Organiseandevaluatematernalandinfanthealthprograms.

• Provideleadershipandguidancetomainstreamorganisationsand other health professionals in providing a culturally safe and respectful health care environment.

•AdvocateforandsupportAboriginalwomen.

• Initiateandcoordinatecommunityconsultationandinvolvement in service planning and development.

•SupportandmentortraineeAMICworkers.

4 Women and their Stories

AHCSA is delighted to announce the completion of the training resource package. It is the first training course of its kind and there is a lot of interest in it already. The package itself is designed around the stories of four women.

AMIC students follow the women through their journeys from pregnancy into birth and aftercare of their babies. The resource package is colourfully presented using culturally appropriate illustrations and unique borders and symbols developed by Lavinia Jackson.

AHCSA and CHSA Partnership

Negotiations are underway between AHCSA and CHSA to commence training for AMIC Workers statewide in 2009.

Training delivery will be flexible and include a combination of classroom and on-the-job learning. The course is expected to take 18 months to 2 years to complete.

It is due to the vision and hard work of many people over a three year period that the AMIC training package has been developed. There are too many people to list individually. AHCSA acknowledges the contributions made by all those involved.

New Resource for Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care Training

Some members of the TAG Team

The Aboriginal Maternal & Infant Care Learning Resource

11 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 12

A highlight of the evening was the traditional inma under the stars.

Jamie Nyaningu made a formal address around the theme of the celebrations Pika Wiya Kunpu Nyinama or ’Be Strong - Look After Your Health’. There was a minute’s silence while everyone remembered those Anangu who had passed on and who had made a lasting contribution to the development of Nganampa Health Council.

On the next day, the AHCSA Board continued its meeting at Umuwa before departing for Adelaide after lunch.

Nganampa Health Council was really pleased to have the opportunity to share its story and pride in its success with other community controlled health organisations in South Australia and looks forward to working closely with these organisations in the future to share knowledge and expertise, and contribute to excellence in health service delivery.

Nganampa Health Council celebrated its 25th anniversary over two days at Umuwa on the APY Lands in September 2008 and invited the AHCSA Board and others to join in.

AHCSA Chairperson and Nganampa Health Council Executive Director John Singer together with Nganampa Health Council Chair Jamie Nyaningu welcomed AHCSA Board members and staff to Umuwa on the first day. Also invited were funding partners from the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, NACCHO and key State Government agencies.

The celebrations commenced with a professional issues symposium at which some of the key successes and challenges of Nganampa Health Council were presented and discussed. John Wilson, Health Services Manager, Paul Torzillo, Medical Director, Robyn Pitt, Louise Tucker and Pantjiti Lewis from the Women’s Health Program, and Stephi

Rainow and Peter DeRose, Public & Environmental Health Officers, all talked about key successes and challenges.

In Women’s Health, major advances in timeliness and coverage of antenatal care have contributed to significant improvements in birth weights and proportions of low birth weights over time. In Public & Environmental Health, Nganampa Health Council has played a pivotal role in the development of the National Indigenous Housing Guide and the Fixing Houses for Better Health program roll out across Australia.

Stephi talked about a range of ground breaking collaborative action research in areas such as dog health, housing design, health hardware assessment and fix, kitchen and washing utilities design, septic tank design and maintenance, dust control and rainwater usage. Paul Torzillo reviewed Nganampa Health Council’s impressive population health achievements in immunisation, STI prevention and control and child health.

Following the symposium, the Ernabella School Choir performed. That evening, a community BBQ was held and a number of people who have made a long term and highly significant contribution to the work of Nganampa Health Council were honoured and presented with certificates of excellence and achievement.

Nganampa Celebrates 25 years

Audience watching choir

Paul Torzillo receiving award

Symposium 2

Symposium 1 Inma

Choir

13 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 14

On Wednesday 15 October, AHCSA held an informal lunch to release the Perko Ngurratti ‘Healing Messages’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Forum Report.

It has been two years since the Forum met so the lunch was an ideal setting to release the report. Members from the Forum Working Group, Forum presenters and representatives from key organisations attended.

There was an air of excitement that the Report had been released as it demonstrated the commitment by Cancer Council SA (CCSA) and AHCSA to work towards achieving the key recommendations from the Forum with other partner organisations.

Updates were given on the progress of some of the Forum recommendations including:

• RecruitmentforastatewideAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander Tobacco Control position is currently underway. The position will be based at AHCSA and will work closely with Drug and Alcohol Services SA (DASSA), Quit SA and the Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health.

• CCSAisdevelopingaculturallyappropriatesupportandinformation resource that Aboriginal Health Workers in South Australia can use in their communities and health service to support Aboriginal people being treated for or affected by cancer. This is a two-year project and is a collaborative partnership between CCSA, AHCSA, the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Cancer Voices SA, and the Aboriginal Health Division. Funding for this project came from the Building Cancer Support Networks Grants Program (CanSUPPORT) provided by Cancer Australia. The result will be culturally appropriate cancer resources and the project will link with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, Aboriginal health services, service providers and community people involved in cancer support and information in SA.

• Atanationallevel,CancerAustraliahasAboriginalrepresentation on its national Public Health and Supportive

Care committees and next year will fund a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sub-committee. This sub-committee will have representatives from each state CC and will work together towards progressing national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer control initiatives.

• CCSAhasmetwithAHCSA’sEducationandTrainingteamto discuss the development of a cancer awareness and education training program for Aboriginal Health Workers in SA.

Perko Ngurratti ‘Healing Messages’ South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Forum was held in September 2006 at West Beach. It was the first such Forum held in this State and the main aim was to raise the profile of issues that affect Aboriginal people with cancer. Information was gained about cancer management from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective and areas that were covered included risk factors, incidence rates, research and the effectiveness of treatment and support services.

The Forum highlighted the importance of prevention, early detection and screening in relation to cancer control and provided information about relevant support services and programs.

Forum attendees were privileged to hear Aboriginal people share their stories and personal experiences about the impact that cancer has had on them and their families. Listening to these stories provided the clinicians, service providers and health workers in the audience with valuable insights into the cancer experience for many Aboriginal people.

An estimated 120 people attended the first day of the Forum and around 100 attended the second day.

Findings from the Forum will also help inform the Statewide Clinical Cancer Network about Aboriginal issues.

Acknowledgement and appreciation go to Ngara Keeler, AHCSA and Carmel McNamara, CCSA for their commitment, compassion and hard work in the preparation and facilitation of the Forum.

The Perko Ngurratti ‘Healing Messages’ Aboriginal Cancer

Forum Report is available either on www.ahcsa.org.au or by contacting Carmel McNamara at CCSA on tel: 8291 4149 or Amanda Mitchell, AHCSA on tel: 8132 6700.

Perko Ngurratti ‘Healing Messages’ CCRE Completes Term

The Centre of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) will complete its term in December 2008 following a three-month extension.

The CCRE has been led and hosted by AHCSA since 2003 in partnership with Flinders University. They feel a lot of sadness as the CCRE project comes to an end, so this is a final word from Dr Merridy Malin and Glenn Giles, Training and Translation Officers with the CCRE since 2004.

“It’s been a privilege and learning experience for us to work for the CCRE at AHCSA. We wish to thank the CCRE Board and AHCSA for their support and acknowledge the work of the CCRE’s University researchers. Much of their work continues in a number of projects and initiatives.

“We hope that the CCRE’s work will provide a strong basis on which AHCSA can build its capacity in research and that of the Aboriginal community health sector in South Australia. Hopefully, AHCSA will succeed in securing funding for:

1. Staff to continue the Certificate IV in Indigenous Research Capacity Building.

2. An AHCSA Research Support Officer to work with SA Aboriginal health services to assist them to pursue their own research priorities.”

Final Workshop

In November, the CCRE held a workshop ‘Summarising Lessons for a Recommended Model of Chronic Condition Care’ with Aboriginal health practitioners and researchers involved in the project.

Participants identified recommendations that came out of the work of the CCRE for the care of Aboriginal patients managing with long-term health conditions. A short Policy Briefing document was produced from this.

CCRE Achievements and Milestones Launch

A report summarising the collective work and achievements of the CCRE Researchers and staff was launched on 20 November by SA Health Minister John Hill.

Consulting Members on Research Priorities

Following on from the CCRE Planning Day in March 2008, staff have been consulting AHCSA members about key issues that they confront in their operations, research topics and questions that relate to these issues. This work will assist AHCSA to help members in the area of research by developing a database of the research interests. AHCSA is developing a proposal for an ongoing Research Support Officer whose tasks will include building on this work.

AHCSA Celebrates Research Course Graduates

On 22 August, 12 people graduated with Certificate IV in Indigenous Research Capacity Building. The CCRE had a wonderful celebration at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre with family and friends in attendance.

This group of graduates is the first to complete the course which was piloted by AHCSA for James Cook University (JCU). Associate Professor Jacinta Elston from JCU came from Townsville to speak at the ceremony along with Mary Buckskin and Alwin Chong who congratulated graduates for their achievement. Merridy Malin thanked everyone who worked behind the scenes to get the course up and running including Christine Franks, Sonia Champion, Judy Taylor and Kim O’Donnell who were in the audience. Jacinta was instrumental in making the course affordable to AHCSA.

The inaugural graduates will join a national network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers willing to offer guidance to people from the outside who want to conduct research in their own Aboriginal communities and services.

AHCSA is currently hoping to receive a positive response to a submission to fund the Research Training course in 2009.

Australasian Evaluation Society Annual Conference

Seven participants of the short course in Evaluation and Action Research, delivered by AHCSA in partnership with the Secretariat for National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), presented on their projects in a symposium at the Australasian Evaluation Society (AES) conference in Perth. Merridy introduced the symposium and the presenters.

After the presentation, members of the audience reported to conference management how impressed they were with the presentations. AHCSA was pleased to be able to work in partnership with SNAICC and the Aboriginal Resource and Management Support Unit (ARMSU) in delivering this short course. Liz Orr (SNAICC), Debbie Bond (ARMSU) and Tina Couzens-Quitadamo (ARMSU) offered invaluable assistance to the course. Fourteen people from Child Care Centres around SA and from the Aboriginal Family Support Service (AFFS) completed the three competencies of the course which were drawn from Certificate IV in Indigenous Research Capacity Building.

Perko Ngurratti “Healing Messages”South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer ForumSeptember 2006

Cancer forum

Perko Ngurratti ‘Healing Messages’

CCRE Achievements and Milestones

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CCREAchievementsand MilestonesCentre of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE)in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Achievem

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15 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 16

Early in the year, Cavan Training Centre trialled the Journey to Respect Program, an Intergenerational Violence Prevention Program developed in NSW by the Gilgai Aboriginal Centre in partnership with the NSW Department of Juvenile Justice.

Staff from various Families SA sites and the Education Centres received training from NSW Juvenile Justice.

The aims and objectives of the program are:

• Developmethodsinwhichparticipantscanidentifyandmanage feelings of anger, sadness and shame which may lead to aggressive or violent behaviours.

• Byundertakingtheconceptofvictimempathyandperspective, reducing the incidents of family violence, in particular violence towards older family members.

• Deconstructandexploretheideasofmasculinityandhowthat can drive or shape violent and aggressive behavior in young males.

• Facilitateparticipants’movementfromrelationshipsbasedon power and control towards relationships based on respect.

The program is for Aboriginal young males aged 14-18 years who have committed or are at risk of committing violent offences towards older family members. A minimum level of literacy is desired, however, facilitators can assist the young person to complete the program.

Facilitators wishing to use the program must attend the four day ‘Our Journey to Respect’ training workshop designed to facilitate the acquisition of skills and knowledge required to implement the program.

It is also recommended that:

• AnAboriginalpersonbeeitherthegroupleaderorpresentduring facilitation of the program.

• Nofemalefacilitiatorsbepresentduringsessiontwo:Masculinity - This is Men’s Business.

• Thatallsessionsberunconcurrentlywithsession4&5covered at the same time.

The program is divided into 12 sessions:

1. Our Families

2. Masculinity

3. Power and Family Relationships

4. Violence in the Family

5. The Road to Respect

6. Identifying Anger, Sadness and Shame

7. Managing Emotions and High Risk Times

8. Self Talk

9. Assertive Communication

10. Victim Empathy and Perspective Taking

11. Managing High Risk Situations

12. Putting it all Together

A number of techniques aimed towards enhancing a structured learning environment are used including role plays, group work, art activities, Individual book work, brainstorming, and physical activities including mats and recreation.

Four young people participated in the pilot program at Cavan. The program became part of the school curriculum and ran over a ten week period during the second and third lesson on Thursdays. The chosen group stayed together for the duration of the day having morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

The Program Co-coordinator organised resources including a folder and handouts for each day and any other relevant resources or program achievements. The mats were designed by Cavan staff and previous students helped to decorate them.

Staff participating in the program included Kenny Wilson (MAYFS), Keni (Youth Worker, Cavan), Naomi Hicks (Aboriginal CAMHS Consultant), Auntie Heather Agius (The Grannies Group), Annie (Cavan Education Department), Major Sumner (Elder, Aboriginal Sobriety Group), Jodus Madrid (Aboriginal Programs Coordinator, Cavan), Steve Roach (Program Coordinator, Cavan), and Tony Minniecon (Aboriginal CAMHS Consultant).

Feedback from the participants was positive including comments such as ‘loved it, especially stuff it teaches and the people in it’. In asking how their heart felt afterwards, most commented they felt more calm. One said “Less hurt now and a lot calmer while another commented “Most of this is about my Dad, I have to learn to move forward, I think about those violent times. I think about it a lot.”

Overall, facilitiators felt the program ran relatively well and was received better than they originally thought. All the aims were addressed and discussed, and the group found it easy to personalise the topics. All facilitators would be happy to run the program again with a few minor changes considered.

Participants enjoyed a celebration on the final day at KFC in the recreational area to acknowledge their hard work. They were then presented with certificates in front of their peers at the school assembly by Malcolm Gollan, Elder and Manager of Life without Barriers, which was a great honour for the young men.

Ongoing evaluations will be undertaken to improve and personalise the program to suit Cavan Training Centre and its clients. Another program was to run in the fourth term of 2008.

For more information about the Journey to Respect Program contact Tony Minniecon, Aboriginal CAMHS Consultant, Division of Mental Health, Youth Detention Centres South Australia.

AHCSA and the Wiltanendi Program have an ongoing partnership working with ‘at risk’ Aboriginal youth. This year, in project work alone, they have been involved with Friendz 1 (Northern Suburbs), Friendz 2 (Southern Suburbs) and Wiltanendi Paiendi West (Western Suburbs).

The Wiltanendi Program is an initiative of the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation and the Government of South Australia in partnership with AHCSA. $62,000 was provided in 2007/08 by the Australian Government.

On 21 October 2008, a comic created by Aboriginal youth that encourages positive friendships was launched at Elizabeth assisted by two of the State’s highest-ranking advocates, Commissioner for Social Inclusion, Monsignor David Cappo, and Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement, Mr Klynton Wanganeen.

Friendz is the result of nine months work with the Wiltanendi Program and AHCSA involving fourteen Aboriginal students from Kaurna Plains High School and the South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy.

The comic’s story looks at how friendships impact on decision-making around substance use and lifestyle, and how young Aboriginal people can disconnect from negative influences and choose peers who make positive choices.

The students aged 13 to 17 spent an intense two days workshopping the design, characters, storyline and script for the comic and were involved throughout the production process.

Senior students have since put their media and drama skills to use in a radio play that introduced the comic Friendz at the launch.

Many people from the local Aboriginal community attended the launch and the Comic was very warmly received.

Monsignor Cappo said, “Peer pressure can be very challenging for young people and I am impressed with the creative and mature way these students have dealt with the issue. This comic clearly demonstrates that we all make choices about our life and emphasises the importance of choosing people to be in our lives who encourage us to keep healthy and pursue our dreams.”

Commissioner Wanganeen said the comic reflects the real world Aboriginal youth live in. “The characters are people these students know and the storyline is one they relate to. Being in comic form will encourage young people to read the message that these students are conveying.”

The comic will be widely distributed to schools, agencies and organisations working with young people. If you would like a copy please contact Peter Smith, Coordinator, Wiltanendi Program on tel: 8226 4621or AHCSA on tel: 8132 6700. You can find more information about Wiltanendi on www.wiltanendi.sa.gov.au

Wiltanendi Launch ‘Friendz’ A Comic Created by Aboriginal Youth

Our Journey to Respect Cavan Training Centre

Participants at the launch of Friendz

Friendz cover

17 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008

Ngartunna Waiendi… Babies on the Move Nunga Young Mums

Filming for an exciting new health promotion resource for Aboriginal families is underway with Aboriginal production company ‘hey you’.

‘Ngartunna Waiendi…Babies on the Move’, is a Kaurna title suggested by Ngartunna Waiendi, the Kaurna Warra Pintyandi group. The DVD features local Aboriginal families, babies and children to highlight and promote the importance of play and early movement to support and maximise gross motor (large muscle) development. This project has been made possible through Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service (CYWHS) and Central Northern Adelaide Health Service (CNAHS) who have jointly funded the project with CYWHS also providing project officer support.

The initiative originated through the Aboriginal Healthy Families Project and Kaurna Plains Child Care Centre, supported by work produced by University SA’s Health Promotion Physio students on placement. The Physio students worked with Tabitha Lean, Project Coordinator CNAHS and families across Kaurna Plains and Muna Paiendi to develop a health promotion concept for Aboriginal families. Overwhelmingly, families supported the idea of using a DVD to promote practical ideas about playing with babies and young children. The families wanted relevant information about the various stages of movement that babies go through to support them to walk including rolling and crawling.

Most importantly, families wanted information to be relevant and presented in a way that they could relate to and it should reflect the long held tradition of story telling and sharing that has sustained Aboriginal culture through the ages.

The DVD provides the opportunity for the families filmed to share their tips on growing up strong Aboriginal babies as well as the places and people that have supported them when they were worried or unsure about their baby’s development.

A cultural reference group which includes Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal representatives have kindly provided their time and expertise in helping shape a culturally relevant and appropriate resource. This group includes Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis O’Brien. A clinical reference group have given their valued input to ensure information provided to families is accurate and up-to-date.

The DVD will be available free-of-charge from a range of health and care settings from early 2009.

For more information contact Tabitha Lean tel: (08) 8161 2447, email: tabitha.lean@health.sa.gov.au or Mary Schneider tel: (08) 8161 7145, email: mary.schneider@cywhs.sa.gov.au

The Nunga Young Mums program is based on the Incredible Years, an evidence based program from the United States for parents who have children that demonstrate challenging behaviours.

Nunga Young Mums was developed using a partnership approach involving Tracey Gowans (Aboriginal Mental Health Consultant, Western CAMHS), Alison Friedrich (Senior Social Worker, Northern CAMHS) and Fionna Bottroff (Speech Pathologist, Muna Paiendi).

In developing the program, many Aboriginal workers were consulted in the northern area including from DECS Early Learning Program, Para West Adult Campus Family Learning Centre, Muna Paiendi, and CAMHS. Aunty Cherie Watkins provided permission to use Kaurna words.

The feedback received from the consultations included to aim the program at young mums under 25, use a place already used by the young mums, and promote the program in a way that is personal and sensitive to possible shame issues about parenting.

Nunga Young Mums was promoted by visiting and joining a Nunga Playgroup and the Aboriginal Community Lunch at the Gawler Health Service. Young mums who attend the program at Para West Adult Campus will receive a year 11, stage 1 unit point towards their education.

The program promotes use of the principles of play and attention, praise and rewards, limit setting, ignoring and distracting, and timeout. These principles are tiered in order of importance with greatest focus on play and attention and least focus on timeout, and use the parenting pyramid.

In consultation with Nunga program leaders, the parenting pyramid was adapted to use a picture of a fruit tree and its roots (represents a child) to make it more culturally appropriate. Some of the language used was also adapted.

The program includes the following topics:

How to play with your child

•Thechildleadsandyoufollow

•Ageappropriateplay

•Don’tcompetewithyourchild

•Laughandhavefun

Positive attention, encourage your child

•Encourageyourchild’sefforts

•Payattentiontowhatyouwanttoseemoreoff

•Encourageimmediatelyandinfrontofothers

•Modelselfencouragement

Rewards to motivate your child

•Lowcostitemsornocostitems

•Starcharts

•Focusonpositivebehaviour,thentherewards

•Useofstickerstopromotepositivebehaviour

Limit settings

•Beclearwithyourinstructions

•Onecommandatatime

• Berealisticinyourexpectationsanduseageappropriatecommands

• Givewarningsandbeclearwithyourcommands

Ignore and distract

•Beconsistent

•Giveattentiontopositivebehaviour

•Returnyourattentionassoonasmisbehaviourstops

•Bepreparedfortestingbychild

Timeout to calm down

•Bepolite

•Monitorandcontrolyourownangerwhenusingtimeout

• Don’tthreatentimeoutunlessyou’repreparedtofollowthrough with completing timeout

• Ignorechildwhileintimeout

Natural and logical consequences

• Involvechildwheneverpossible

•Useconsequencethatareshortandtothepoint

•Makeitageappropriate

•Givechildchoiceofconsequenceaheadoftime

Teaching your child to problem solve

• Helpchildrentoclearlydefinetheproblemandrecognise the feelings involved

•Bepositive,creativeandhumorous

•Modeleffectiveproblemsolvingyourself

•Helpchildrenpractice

Nunga Young Mums are currently exploring opportunities to run the program in the western Port Adelaide area as well as the northern area at Para West Adult Campus in 2009.

If you know someone who would like to attend or you have any questions, contact Tracey Gowans, Western CAMHS tel: 8341 1222, email: gowans.tracey@saugov.sa.gov.au; or Alison (Ali) Friedrich, CAMHS Sidney Chambers Elizabeth City Centre, tel: 8252 0133, email: friedrich.alison@saugov.sa.gov.au

AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 18

Eamon

Eamon and Grandad

Eamon and Dad

19 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 20

Passionate Workers at Disability SA

Denise Thomas is the Aboriginal Health Worker with BreastScreen SA at the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service.

The main objective of her role is to promote BreastScreen SA and screening to Indigenous women and Health Workers in South Australia to increase the number of Indigenous women having free mammograms (breast x-rays) every two years.

BreastScreen aims to detect breast cancer early. With early detection, there is a greater chance of successful treatment and a reduction in the mortality and morbidity attributable to breast cancer in South Australian women.

Screening is primarily recommended for all women aged 50 to 69. Women aged 40 to 49 and over 70 are eligible for screening and are welcome to phone for an appointment if they wish to attend.

To date, Indigenous women are not participating in regular screening to the same levels as non-Indigenous women. BreastScreen SA has a number of strategies to increase participation:

• ScreeningIndigenouswomenfromtheAnanguPitjantjatjaraLands on a mobile unit, which visits Marla every two years.

•CollaboratingwithcommunitygroupsandHealthWorkers.

• Arrangingbustransportforgroupsofruralandmetropolitanwomen, who may not have access to transport, and providing group bookings.

• ParticipatingininformationseminarsandpresentationsforIndigenous women and Health Workers.

•Providingfreeresourcesforuseincommunities.

Women can attend BreastScreen SA at one of six clinics in the metropolitan area or one of the three Mobile Units. The units visit 27 rural and remote locations and seven metropolitan locations every two years.

For more information about BreastScreen SA, the Mobile Unit and clinic locations see www.breastscreensa.sa.gov.au

Claudine Buckskin

Claudine Buckskin is the Service Coordinator, Individual Response team, Southern Suburbs for Disability SA.

A Ngarrindjeri/Kaurna woman, Claudine has six children and lives in Adelaide with husband John. She began her career in disability services three years ago. Her passion to work with Aboriginal people who have disabilities came after the loss of her daughter who was diagnosed with a terminal illness at age 23 and died 6 years later. A side effect from the illness was paraplegia and Claudine has worked in the field of disability ever since.

Claudine’s past achievements include Family Support Worker with Aboriginal Family Support Services for the Northern Region including Point Pearce and Port Pirie, and Aboriginal Disability Advisor within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services Unit of Disability SA.

In her current role as Service Coordinator, Claudine works specifically with Aboriginal clients. The role includes: community development; case management; consultancy service for non-Aboriginal disability staff to better understand the needs of Aboriginal clients; and promoting and presenting information to other services and agencies to attract Aboriginal clients and ensure they are cultural competent.

Claudine completed the National Women’s Leadership Program in Cairns in July 2008 and is currently completing Certificate IV Advanced Indigenous Leadership with the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre in Canberra with support from Disability SA.

Her commitment to her work continues to ensure Aboriginal people receive fair and adequate services to ‘Close the Gap’.

Aunty Josephine Judge-Rigney

Aunty Josephine Judge-Rigney is the Chairperson, Aboriginal Disability Network SA Committee and says teamwork is needed because together everyone achieves more.

Aunty Josephine is a mother of 10 children and a grandmother of 12. One of her daughter’s has an intellectual disability and a son has ADHD, so Josephine is passionate about having her voice heard and being listened to.

Josephine is concerned that in our complex and dynamic society, Aboriginal young people with disabilities are experiencing poverty, transience, abuses, foster care and health problems, as well as racism and harassment within schools and from the broader society.

As the Chairperson of the Aboriginal Disability Network SA Committee and Aboriginal Secondary Education Transition Officer, Josephine would like more open communication that supports the needs of Aboriginal people, parents and people with disabilities.

Aboriginal Inclusion Unit

The Aboriginal Inclusion Unit is part of the Office for Disability and Client Services (ODACS) in Disability SA. An important part of their work is to help client talk and to shape services in the community.

The Unit supports the Aboriginal Disability Network SA Committee which is made up of Aboriginal community representatives elected by their peers at the Aboriginal Disability Consumer Conference held every three years. They represent remote, rural and metropolitan communities.

The Aboriginal Disability Network SA Committee will be hosting a BBQ in Berri in January 2009 for Aboriginal people with disabilities, their families and carers. The BBQ will be a chance for people to get to know the committee members and the work they do to assist Aboriginal people with disabilities access services. If you would like to register your interest in attending, please contact Vicki Shaw on 83721479.

For more information contact: Acting Manager Christopher Birtwistle or Assistant Project Officer Vicki Shaw Disability SA, 103 Fisher Street, Fullarton SA 5063, tel: 8372 1479, fax: 8372 1429.

Introducing Denise Thomas BreastScreen SA

The Central Northern Adelaide Health Service (CNAHS) are currently implementing some exciting changes to extend their service including:

• Offeringamobileregionalclinicwiththeirowndoctors,nurses and other specialists such as podiatrists and dieticians.

• AWellbeingTeamtodelivergroupprogramsincludingMen’s, Women’s, Art and Support group.

CNAHS have been providing Aboriginal-specific health services and programs designed, delivered and informed by Aboriginal people for a number of years. The CNAHS includes Muna Paendi, Gilles Plains Aboriginal Outreach Health Service, and the Western Aboriginal Health Team.

There will be no immediate changes to services and programs delivered at Muna Paiendi, Gilles Plains Aboriginal Outreach Health Service and the Parks and all permanent staff have a role within the new service model. Community groups supported by CNAHS will continue to be provided. There will be no site closures and Aboriginal Health Workers will continue to be available five days a week at each site.

CNAHS will consult with clients and the community to seek advice about which services are most needed. They are committed to ensuring Aboriginal community members have access to and a choice about the Aboriginal specific and mainstream health services they need to enjoy a healthy life.

For more information contact:

Vicki-Lee Knowles, A/Director, Aboriginal Health, tel: 8161 2447

Irene Wanganeen, Regional Manager, Aboriginal Health North, tel: 8182 9206

Terry Stewart, Regional Manager, Aboriginal Health East, tel: 8344 8417

Central Northern Adelaide Health Service Changes

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Denise Thomas

Claudine Buckskin

Aunty Josephine Judge-Rigney

The South Australian Aboriginal Health Partnership (SAAHP) is a partnership between the federal Department of Health and Ageing, the SA Department of Health and AHCSA.

The 2005-2010 Agreement provides a framework for the partners to work together and in partnership with Aboriginal people and communities, in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal people in South Australia.

The commitments under this Framework Agreement are to:

• DevelopclearcommunityendorsedAboriginalhealthimprovement planning with monitoring and accountability mechanisms.

• Facilitatethedevelopmentofaccessible,accurateandaffordable data collection and information systems that support an evidenced based approach to planning, delivery and evaluation of Aboriginal health improvement planning approaches.

• Developacompetenthealthworkforcebyensuringcommunity capacity building, cultural, clinical and management skills supported by appropriate training, supply, recruitment and retention strategies.

• Increasestatewideandregionalresourceallocationto meet identified need on an equitable basis.

• Establisheffectivelinkageswithsectorsresponsible for improving the social, economic and environmental determinants of health inclusive of the ‘Whole of Government’ approach.

The Coordination and Support Team (CST) acts as the secretariat of SAAHP and works with the partner organisations to achieve the aims of the agreement. SAAHP is not a service provider but coordination mechanism which allows the partner organisations to work cooperatively and collaboratively to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians.

CST consists of 3 staff members:

Ben Sanderson State Coordinator

Born in Adelaide, Ben has Aboriginal and Anglo-Saxon heritage with links to communities on the West Coast and Yorke Peninsula. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Sociology and a Graduate Diploma in

Education. Ben has worked as a teacher in many different schools across South Australia and also in Alice Springs. He was the Innovative Learning Technology facilitator for the Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education and Training.

Ben began working for SAAHP in 2006 as the Senior Project Officer and in late 2007 he was appointed State Coordinator. He has a keen interest and belief in the environment, social justice, youth advocacy and the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve self-determination, a quality of life and standard of living equal to or better than what is currently being experienced by mainstream Australian society.

Mirjana Ostojic Senior Project Officer

Mirjana was born in Adelaide from newly arrived Eastern European parents and spent most of her childhood growing up in Coober Pedy. She went to high school in Adelaide and went on to achieve a Bachelor

of Environmental Health from Flinders University and is currently completing a Masters in Public Health from Griffith University.

Mirjana has worked as an Environmental Health Officer in Mount Isa, Alice Springs, Deniliquin and Clare before becoming a Project Manager for the SA branch of the Department of Health and Ageing (Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health).

She joined SAAHP in July 2008 as Senior Project Officer and looks after the areas of workforce, diabetes, sexual health and pandemic influenza.

Chantell Wanganeen Project Support and Administration Officer

Chantell was born in Adelaide and is a descendant of the Narungga people of the Yorke Peninsula. She spent her early years at Point Pearce before her family moved back to Adelaide.

In 2007, Chantell started work with the Attorney-Generals Department in the Justice Strategy Division (now called Policy, Planning and Legislation).

She currently works as Project Support and Administration Officer with SAAHP and is also the Chairperson of the State Aboriginal Young Women’s Committee with Women’s Health Statewide.

SAAHP CST can be contacted by:

PO Box 287, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, 5000

Tel: (08) 8226 6604

Fax: (08) 8226 6008

21 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 AHCSA NEWS DECEMBER 2008 22

South Australian Aboriginal Health Partnership Update

Hot on the heels of their National Drug & Alcohol Design Award in June 2008, Dreamtime Public Relations won the Small Business Champion Award SA for Business Services on 3 October 2008.

Dubbed the ‘Oscars’ for small business, the Awards are the only national program of its kind. Judges evaluate business strategies, customer service, vision, support of the local community and growth amongst other things.

Precedent Productions who manage the Awards say they are a celebration of small business and its contribution to the Australian way of life … It’s not always about money. There

are many small business owners who will never be millionaires, but whose contribution is invaluable.

In accepting the award, Dreamtime’s Managing Director Janet Craig said she was ecstatic to be given such recognition. “Dreamtime began in 2002 to provide culturally appropriate visual communications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and to provide professional development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the creative area.

“Toby Dodd, of Ngarrindjeri/Narungga/Kaurna descent, has been with Dreamtime since he was 17 and at the age of 22, won the national award for logo design. Other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have worked with Dreamtime include Tahnee Edwards, Shane Pilot, Sonny Keeler, Dawn Brown, Irene Allen, Emma Riley, Alice Krakouer, Chloe Handrikan, and Naomi Carolin who went on to complete her masters degree and now works for the ABC.

Congratulations rolled in from many clients around Australia, including AHCSA. Dreamtime produces AHCSA News, Annual Report, website, and various other materials.

Dreamtime provides a whole-of-project strategy, design, print, website and promotional merchandise service for clients all over Australia.

For further information email: janet@dreamtimepr.com, tel: 08 8223 2576 or see www.dreamtimepr.com

A report titled Aboriginal People Travelling Well: Issues of safety, transport and health was released in October 2008 by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

The project proposed that safe and sufficient transport should be accessible to everyone, and that a lack of safety can be a consequence of insufficient or inadequate transport.

The study themes and approach were informed by a series of forums held in 2005, 2006 and 2007, involving representatives of Aboriginal organisations and government agencies. Consultations with focus groups and personal interviews were conducted and case studies recorded in several Aboriginal communities as well as literature reviews.

The broad findings were:

• AccesstosafetransportforAboriginalpeopleisrestrictedby their economic circumstances.

• ThepoorhealthofAboriginalpeoplegenerateshighlevelsofneed for safe access to a wide range of health and disability services.

• Aboriginalculturedrivesaneedtobelongtoaplaceandtomeet the obligations to that place. Since the obligations often require a person to go to a place far from where they live, this generates a need for long distance travel often over roads that are of a lower standard and, because of economic circumstances, in vehicles not suited for this sort of travel.

• Responsibilitytofamilyandkin,especiallywhenanimportantperson dies, generates a need for large numbers of Aboriginal people to travel at times of high stress.

• Accesstoadriverslicenceisnotstraightforward.Problemswith literacy and language often present barriers, as does access to vehicles and instruction. These barriers to licensing generate increased risk of Aboriginal people driving while unlicensed and this offence is one of those most often charged by police.

A copy of the report is available at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2008/RSRG_1.aspx

A fact sheet is also available at http://www.crcah.org.au/research_progam_areas/downloads/184APTWFact_Sheet-0308.pdf

Aboriginal People Travelling Well

Toby Dodd, Janet Craig and Bryan Smith

Dreamtime Wins Small Business Champion Award