News and Upcoming Events

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A DUAL DIAGNOSIS

Download Flyer NDCO Dual Diagnosis March 2012.pdf

The National Disability Coordination Officer Program in association with the IMVC invites you to a Professional Development session
 
Session outline
This workshop will be suited to those who work directly with young people aged between 15 and 25 years in the helping or education fields. It will provide theoretical frameworks and some practical skills for working with young people who may be experiencing substance, mental health related problems or both.
 
Topics to be covered include:
·                 Screening and Assessment of the Mental health of young people
·                 Screening and Assessment for the Alcohol and Other Drug use of young   people
·                 Brief Interventions for the Mental Health of young people
·                 Brief Interventions for the Substance Use of young people

Who should attend?
Integration, Careers and Student Welfare Coordinators, Year Level, VCAL or MIPs Coordinators, Integration Aides and Welfare Officers, Youth or Disability Case Workers
 
Date:                    Thursday 15 March 2012
Time:                   9:00 am – 1.00 pm (8.30am Registration)
Venue:                 William Angliss Conference Centre         
     Building A, Level 5, 555 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
 
Cost:                     $75.00
 
·                 Auslan Interpreters provided
·                 Venue fully accessible
 
For all enquiries, or to register your place, please contact:
Effie Kapsalos
National Disability Coordination Officer
E ekapsalos@imvc.com.au
P 03 9686 2354

 

PAST EVENTS

BUILDING FUTURES TOGETHER Breakfast
Tuesday 16 August 2011
7.30am – 9.00am
William Angliss Conference Centre 

The aim of Building Futures Together was to provide insight into the ways that employers (from a range of industries in the public and private sector) can work together to achieve greater outcomes for young people with disability. The session had a particular focus on promoting the value of work experience / placements for young people with disability. 

Speakers included:

George Halkias  - Community leader and humanitarian, best known for developing the Community Street Soccer Program, coaching the Australian team at five Homeless World Cups and bringing the 2008 Homeless World Cup to Melbourne. George shared his insights into working innovatively with people facing adversity and helping them reconnect with the wider community. In particular, he demonstrated how offering people in these challenging situations the opportunity for growth and development empowered them to turn their lives around.

Giulia Crasti -  Indigenous and Stakeholder Programs Coordinator for Transfield Services Australia in the Business Community Investment Group. Giulia outlined a recent work experience program for young people with disability undertaken in collaboration with the Workplace Learning Coordinator Program and the NDCO Program.

Amelia Ukovic - National Manager Employment Services at Vision Australia. Amelia spoke about Disability Employment Services and other Australian Government incentives to support employers. She also discussed the value of work experience placements for young people with disability. 

The event was attended by 54 employers and feedback was very positive:

  • 94% agreed that overall the speakers were engaging and informative
  • 71% agreed that they now felt more confident about employing people with disability

A number of employers also took the opportunity to comment on how they would apply the knowledge gained from event to their work practice. Their comments included the following:

" I will take back case studies and stories to engage senior managers"
" We will incorporate what we have learned into our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy"
"We will discuss with our HR department different ways and opportunities to engage young people with disability"
" Today's session reinforces and refines knowledge about the impact of social engagement in sport / recreation / education / employment"
"We will definitely look into investigating how to set up a work experience opportunity and office tour"
"I’d like to further explore employment opportunities for people with a disability"
"Currently looking to employ individuals with disability in the corporate office (support services).  Will use this to provide basis for research."
" I will communicate work placements to my employer and consider opportunities to introduce such a program."