The Disability Information and Resource Centre

Navigate Mental Health and Family Relationship Service are presenting a free workshop for parents about maintaining mental health during the teenage years entitled On Track!

When and Where

Tuesday April 27th 7-9pm

Centacare
Fennescey House Ground Floor Training room
Wakefield Street
Adelaide

RSVP

Friday 23rd April

More Information

You can read the flyer or contact Centacare on 8159 1400.

Restless Central is a series of dance workshops for young people with or without a disability aged 15 to ­ 26yrs. You don’t have to have a lot of experience to join these sessions, just a desire to have fun and meet new people in a creative and supportive environment.

When: Tuesday evenings from 5.30 -  ­ 7pm 13 October – 15 December 2009
Where: Restless Studio, 234a Sturt St Adelaide SA (entrance off Arthur St).
Cost: $6 per person.
To make a booking please contact Restless Dance Theatre Telephone: 8212 8495
Email: info@restlessdance.org

Supported by the Office for Disability and Client Services

The Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia invites you to attend a community health training seminar on ‘Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of New Arrival Humanitarian Entrants’

Registrations close on Monday 21 September 2009

Seminar Registration Forms can be obtained by contacting  Ms Matti Spellacy at admin@mrcsa.com.au or (08) 8217 9556
Additional information about the seminar can also be obtained from Dr Joseph Masika on (tel) (08) 8217 9510

Date: Wednesday 23 September 2009

Time: 9.30am to 2.00pm

Place: 59 King William Street, Adelaide
GPs, community health services, immunisation clinics, school psychologists, and providers of women’s health, youth health, children’s health and mental health services are welcome to register for the seminar

Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of New Arrival Humanitarian Entrants Seminar Program
Facilitator: Joseph Masika, Manager, Multicultural Health Advocacy, MRCSA
9 – 9.15am Registration, welcome and introductions

9.15am Overview of health initiatives for humanitarian entrants
Ms Eugenia Tsoulis, CEO, MRCSA

9.30am Presentations
Humanitarian entrants’ health status and referral system in South Australia
Joseph Masika, Manager, Multicultural Health Advocacy, MRCSA

Short term torture and trauma assessment, counseling and referrals for humanitarian entrants
Mr. Tindaro Fallo, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Multicultural Health Advocacy, MRCSA

Mental health services for children and young people
Monica McEvoy, Multicultural Mental Health CAMHS Western Region

10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am Presentations
How the care workers can identify and work with humanitarian entrants with history of torture and trauma
Anne Bourne, Psychologist, Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance & Rehabilitation Services
(STTARS)

Preventative health and health services for the newly arrived migrants in South Australia
Ms Jan Williams, Clinical Services Coordinator, Migrant Health Service

Women’s health in new and emerging communities
Ms Rene Weal Women’s Health Statewide

12.30pm Panel Discussion of service providers
Mr. Tindaro Fallo, Ms Rene Weal, Ms Jan Williams, Ms Anne Bourne and Monica McEvoy
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Close

“Using the internet to increase physical activity in teenagers with cerebral palsy – are you kidding?” by Dr Carol Maher, is the third lecture in the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 2009 New Science Seminar Series.

The free session, to be held on Wednesday 22 July at 10.30,  goes for about an hour and will include a light morning tea and an opportunity for Q & A.

The presenter is a 2008 Young Investigator Awards (YIA) finalist. The presentation will be a snapshot of her research findings in everyday language.

Queen Victoria Lecture Theatre
Ground Floor of the Queen Victoria
Building at the Women’s & Children’s
Hospital, 72 King William Rd, North Adelaide
Gold coin donation appreciated
For more information contact:
rani.clark@wchfoundation.org.au
or phone (08) 8464 7900

RSVP’s are not required.

Invitation flier (pdf)

New Livewire Online Community Connects Young Australians Living With A Serious Illness, Chronic Health Condition Or Disability

The Hon. Senator Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, today launched Livewire, a new online community which is the first of its kind in Australia, to help improve the emotional and social wellbeing of children and young people aged over 10 and under 21, living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.

A wholly owned subsidiary of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and co-funded by the Australian Government’s Clever Networks program, Livewire is designed to provide a free, safe and supportive online community for children and young people to hang out, connect, share experiences, creatively express themselves and know that they are not alone in their situation.

An estimated 450,000¹ young Australians aged between 10 and 21 are currently living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability. These conditions can profoundly impact their everyday lives, leading to frequent absences from school, sport and other social activities. The internet provides an innovative way to reach and connect these young people through a supportive online community.

“Connecting and supporting young people with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability through a safe online community has been a vision of the Starlight team for many years,” said Jill Weekes, CEO of the Starlight Children’s Foundation. “Livewire helps to distract that young person from their pain, helps them better understand their illness and connects young people facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone.”

Unlike other social networks, Livewire is a secure, moderated community tailored to the needs of its private members.

“By combining the latest in online and mobile technologies with a safe and secure approach, we are developing a great online community for young people who are also dealing with a disability, chronic condition or serious illness,” said Omar Khalifa, Managing Director of Livewire.  “With video, music and games, Livewire is a fun place to check out.  However, it’s the young people who create blogs, chat and interact that will shape Livewire, keep it relevant and a make it a really great place to hang out.”

The Hon. Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, said “The Livewire online community is a great example of broadband and digital technology assisting the support and well-being of people whose lives have been disrupted by chronic illness or disability. Livewire helps young people to stay in touch with those they love and to connect to gain support from others who may be sharing a similar situation.”

Livewire aims to have a significant impact on the social and emotional wellbeing of its members, to help relieve stress and anxiety, alleviate boredom and to help empower them to develop new life skills and make new friends.

Prominent child and adolescent psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg commented, “Too often, it goes unrecognised that young people with chronic illness or disability can be affected by anxiety disorders, mood disorders, self harm and even suicidal tendencies, and that these go hand in hand with their situation.

“Livewire is wonderful because you have 24 hour a day, immediate connection with a community of people feeling exactly the same way. This can instantly reduce their sense of isolation and put them in touch with someone who understands,” he concluded.

Livewire complies with strict safety measures to ensure the safety and security of its members. Each member’s parent or guardian is contacted personally to verify their identity before joining the community. What’s more, chat hosts trained by the Australian Federal Police are present seven days a week to moderate discussions.

The program is made possible by an investment of $7.2 million from the Australian Government’s Clever Networks program, and support from its launch partners. This funding has enabled Livewire to develop a long lasting, sustainable program that will support, inspire and encourage its members.

Livewire aims to connect 20,000 young people, siblings and parents by the end of 2009, and will work with and through other Not For Profit organisations, such as The Spastic Centre and Diabetes Australia to provide access to Livewire to its eligible members.

The next phase of Livewire will be the launch of Livewire Mobile which will enable young Australians to access the site and its community via their mobile phone. Livewire on Wheels, a bedside access program, has already rolled out at Canberra Hospital and The Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. Throughout 2009, the program will aim to target an additional seven hospitals right throughout Australia, including The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth, Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

This will be followed by the creation of dedicated Livewire sites for both parents and siblings of young people with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability, enabling them to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through, and a research program which examines the therapeutic benefits of Livewire services and the impacts of Internet use on members’ social and emotional well-being.

Any young Australian aged over 10 and under 21, who is currently living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability who wishes to join Livewire or find out more information should visit www.livewire.org.au or contact member.services@livewire.org.au.

NOTES:

1 Children’s Hospital Education Research Institute (CHERI) Report, September 2008

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services

Media Release

$3.88 million funding boost for 769 out-of-school care places for children with disability

07/08/2008

Joint Media Release with The Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The Australian Government today announced $3.88 million for 769 much needed after school and vacation care places for secondary school-aged children with disability.

Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, announced the funding today.

“These much needed places will provide stimulating and age-appropriate developmental, social and recreational activities for children with disability aged from 12 to 18, outside school hours,” Ms Macklin said.

“Parents from right across Australia have told the Government there is an urgent need for more care places for older children.”

“Not only will the places provide the opportunity to further include young people with disability in a range of out of school initiatives, it will also help working parents to balance their work and family responsibilities,” Mr Shorten said.

“This is the first step to help address a significant lack of care services for people with disability in this age group, and to provide much-needed support for families who currently care for their children during these hours.”

Thirty-five disability and child care providers will deliver the services across the country.

These out-of-school services will be up and running in the coming months, giving the centres time to ensure staff are well supported and qualified to provide quality care to the children and teenagers.