Deakin / DH / DHS Strategic Alliance (Barwon-South West)

Advisory group minutes and attachments

Advisory Groups Terms of Reference

1. Community Capacity Building Advisory Group

Chairperson: To be confirmed
Deputy Chair: Mrs Sue Morgan (Regional Health Promotion Officer, Dept of Health)
Alliance team member responsibility:
Chris Loughnan, Project Officer, DU/DH/DHS Strategic Alliance

Vision
Community Capacity Building has become a central objective in a wide range of public policies and programs in Australia. The concept of community capacity building is not precise but in general terms the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development defines “capacity- building as a process and means through which national Governments and local communities develop the necessary skills and expertise to manage their environment and natural resources in a sustainable manner within their daily activities.” Community capacity building is a broad term encompassing “the degree to which a community can develop, implement and sustain actions which allow it to exert greater control over its physical, social, economic and cultural environments”. (Littlejohns and Thompson 2001)

Purpose
The Advisory Group aims to ensure that a diverse range of mechanisms can be explored and supported to increase individuals, organizations and communities’ ability to work sustainably together to address key local issues in the Barwon South West Region.
During 2010, Primary Care Partnerships (PCPs) will each be funded $3000 (inclusive of GST) for the delivery of approved activity to support the vision of this AG. G21 will be provided with $6000 for this activity (see funding application form).Alliance funding criteria has now been widened from solely a health literacy forum focus to incorporate wider forums and project parameters covered under community capacity building principals.

Objectives

To map and identify existing community capacity building activity and opportunities across BSWR.
To work with PCPs on implementing approved community capacity building activity which is complementary to PCP strategic priorities during 2010, 2011.
To work with PCPs on evaluation of activity funded by Alliance.
To run Peter Quail Oration on annual basis.

Communication
AG to report to Deakin University/DH/DHS Strategic Alliance Executive at the Executive meetings or more frequently as the need arises. This communication will occur via the AG Chair.

Expectations
Members will commit to function to:

Create a supportive and challenging working environment
Undertake transparent and informed decision making
Promote and support a fair and equitable discussion without prejudice
Engage in high level strategic thinking and planning across the health and community services sectors
Develop robust and respectful relationships
Facilitate open and constructive communications
Accept diversity in individual, agency or sector positions, and
Engage with colleagues in a reliable and responsible manner.
It is expected that members will attend all scheduled meetings.

Membership
Prof Sue Kilpatrick, Deakin University (Chair)
Deputy Chair to be confirmed
Chris Loughnan, Project Officer, Deakin University/DH/DHS Strategic Alliance
Appropriate representation from:

Deakin University,
Departments of Health and Human Services and other departments
G21 Health and Wellbeing Pillar
Southern Grampians Glenelg PCP
South West PCP
Additional representation as determined by the AG

Chair
This Advisory Group will be chaired by Prof Sue Kilpatrick, Deakin University.

Secretariat
Minute taking will be rotated amongst Advisory Group members. A set of action notes in dot point form will be an acceptable record of the meeting.

Meeting frequency
The Group will meet as determined by the Advisory Group.

Dispute resolution
If a member of this AG considers there is an outstanding issue or serious contravention of the terms of reference, the member is to approach the Chair to seek resolution.

Review of Terms of Reference will occur at the first meeting of the year.

2. Research, Evidence and Evaluation Advisory Group

Chairperson:Prof. John Toumbourou Deakin University
Deputy Chair: Dr Shelley Bowen Department Health
Alliance team member responsibility: Dr Anita Peerson Deakin Co-ordinator, DU/DH/DHS Strategic Alliance

Vision
To improve BSW health and well being outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged people and places, by brokering research and evaluation activity which is closely aligned with strategic health and wellbeing priorities at national, state, regional and local levels and to contribute to the evidence base of health and human service practice.

Purpose
To foster innovative and collaborative research activity at Deakin University that aligns with the strategic objectives of Deakin University, DH and DHS and the G21 and Great South Coast communities). The Advisory Group aims to strengthen the link between evidence, policy and practice related to health and wellbeing, building community capacity and reducing disadvantage and inequality. The Advisory Group will also work to position the region to build strategic research alliances and identify opportunities for research aligned to the COAG National Partnerships agendas.

Objectives

To develop a holistic understanding of the research and evaluation environment of the Barwon-South West region by mapping current and future projects.
To develop a 3 year Barwon-South Western Region research and evaluation plan that is linked to state and national funding mechanisms.
To work with Deakin University/DH/DHS and local partners in the establishment of the Regional Research Centre.
To support the establishment of the National Centre for Farmer Health as a leader in innovative research, policy and practice
To facilitate Corio Norlane Development Advisory Board links to a Deakin cross faculty research team, building on achievements of 2009 Research Forum.
To provide specific support and expertise in evaluation activity to the health and community services sector.
To promote a research and evaluation culture across the BSW health and community services sector
To focus on developing evidence informed Workforce strategies for the Barwon-South Western Region.
To broker Alliance research collaborations.
To investigate further evaluation opportunities for Alliance evaluation (stage 2 in 2010).

Expectations
Members will commit to function to:

Create a supportive and challenging working environment
Undertake transparent and informed decision making
Promote and support a fair and equitable discussion without prejudice
Engage in high level strategic thinking and planning across the health and community services sectors
Develop robust and respectful relationships
Facilitate open and constructive communications
Accept diversity in individual, agency or sector positions, and
Engage with colleagues in a reliable and responsible manner.
It is expected that members will attend all scheduled meetings.

Membership
Assoc. Prof Mardie Townsend, Deakin University (Chair)
Dr Shelley Bowen, DHS (Deputy Chair)
Dr Anita Peerson, Deakin University Strategic Alliance Coordinator
Appropriate representation from:

Deakin University
Departments of Health (regional and central) Human Services and other relevant departments (RDV,DPCD,DEECD),
G21 Health and Wellbeing Pillar
Great South Coast LGA
PCPs
National Centre for Farmer Health
Gordon Institute of TAFE
South West TAFE
NGO sector
Additional representation as determined by the AG

Chair
This AG will be chaired by Assoc. Prof Mardie Townsend, Deakin University.

Secretariat
Minute taking to be rotated amongst AG members. A set of action notes in dot point form will be an acceptable record of the meeting.

Meeting frequency
The Group will meet as determined by the AG.

Dispute resolution
If a member of this AG considers there is an outstanding issue or serious contravention of the terms of reference, the member is to approach the Chair to seek resolution.

Review of Terms of Reference will occur at the first meeting of the year.

3. Workforce Development Advisory Group

Terms of Reference

Chairperson: Currently vacant
Deputy Chair: Assoc/Prof Bernie Marshall, Deakin University
Alliance team member responsibility:
Kay Mills, DH/DHS Strategic Alliance Coordinator

Vision
To support the development of a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to workforce planning and development across the Barwon-South Western Region.

Guiding Principles (adapted from G21)

We recognise that improving workforce planning and policy development across the BSWR requires a collaborative, co-ordinated and inclusive approach involving a variety of stakeholders across the Region.
We will undertake an evidence based approach that integrates well with local, regional, Victorian and national health and community services workforce planning across sectors.
We will take a leadership role across BSWR in workforce development, ensuring that information about key activities is disseminated across the region to the key sectors as determined by the Advisory Group (AG).
We recognise the importance of and the variety of partners and current activity occurring in workforce development and will work collaboratively and in conjunction with these partners and activities.
We will undertake an integrated approach to connect with existing human resource and clinical networks. We will acknowledge our achievements and reflect on and learn from our actions.

Purpose
The purpose of the Workforce Development AG is to build strategic partnerships and to coordinate and lead key workforce planning and development initiatives across the BSWR to ensure that the region is well positioned to provide a co-ordinated approach to this issue.

Objectives

To oversee and provide specific advice on the development of an integrated BSW regional workforce development strategy for the health and the community services sector.
To produce sub regional health and community services workforce development strategies with both G21 and the Great South Coast communities that align with their overall Labour Market strategies and interface with the BSW regional strategy.
To support and develop implementation of a new clinical placements model for Barwon-South Western Region that incorporates university and VET sectors.
To identify other key initiatives that need to be undertaken to further advance workforce matters in the Barwon-South Western Region.
To advise on the research and evaluation priorities to support future Workforce development in the Barwon-South Western Region.

Expectations
Members will commit to function to:

Create a supportive and challenging working environment
Undertake transparent and informed decision making
Promote and support a fair and equitable discussion without prejudice
Engage in high level strategic thinking and planning across the health and community services sectors
Develop robust and respectful relationships
Facilitate open and constructive communications
Accept diversity in individual, agency or sector positions, and
Engage with colleagues in a reliable and responsible manner.
It is expected that members will attend all scheduled meetings.

Membership
John Hedditch, Manager, Public Health and Regional Planning
Kay Mills DH/DHS Strategic Alliance Co-ordinator
Appropriate representation from:

G21
Great South Coast
Appropriate representation from Deakin and other relevant Universities
Appropriate representation from Departments of Health and Human Services
Gordon Institute of TAFE
South West TAFE
Regional Development Victoria
Education / schools representation
VCAL representation
LLEN representatives G21 and GSC
Service providers from health, government and NGO sectors
Additional representation as determined by the AG

Chair
This AG will be chaired by John Hedditch, Manager Public Health and Regional Planning, Department of Health.

Secretariat
Minute taking to be rotated amongst AG members. A set of action notes in dot point form will be an acceptable record of the meeting.

Meeting frequency
The Group will meet as determined by the AG.

Dispute resolution
If a member of this AG considers there is an outstanding issue or serious contravention of the terms of reference, the member is to approach the Chair to seek resolution.

Review of Terms of Reference will occur at the first meeting of the year.

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