22 February 2023
Member Update
Dear Families ACT members,
In this update: our refreshed website, a reminder to participate in the 2023-24 ACT Budget consultations, an advocacy update on CYFSP commissioning and the Child Young People Mental Health Services Network as well as the dates for our upcoming Joint Case Reviews (JCRs).
Website refresh
We have just completed a refresh of our website which improves its look and functionality. Apologies if you tried to visit the site over the past few days as it has been unavailable due to some maintenance required as part of the refresh. Happily it’s up and running again now and we invite you to visit and have a look at the changes.
Reminder: 2023-24 ACT Budget Consultation: open for submission until 28 April 2023
The ACT Government is seeking views and suggestions as to how it should prioritise and allocate the Territory’s resources in developing the 2023-24 Budget. This consultation closes on 28 April 2023. For more information about the budget process and consultation visit the ACT Government’s Your Say website.
Advocacy update
Commissioning
Families ACT has provided feedback to CSD to inform the Government Interface Roundtable. The Roundtable is a part of the CYFSP Commissioning and will take place on 1 March 2023. A summary report of the roundtable discussions will be available before the 29 March – Child, Young People and Families – Needs and Problem Framing Workshop for which invitations have been sent out.
ACT Government responds to Counting the Costs:
Sustainable Funding for the ACT Community Services Sector report
The ACT Government has tabled its Government Response to the Counting the Costs: Sustainable Funding for the ACT Community Services Sector report, agreeing or agreeing in principle to all recommendations.
To address multiple recommendations in the review, the ACT Government will support the first stage of a Sector Sustainability Program with an investment of $395,000 during the Budget Mid-year Review. The first stage will aim to identify how Government could work with the sector to ensure funding reflects real costs of services, and better understand the impact of increased demand. More information can be found here.
Child/Youth Mental Health Services Network
On 1 February, Families ACT attended a meeting to discuss the proposed structure and role of the Child/Youth Mental Health Services Network, a project led by the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing in partnership with the Youth Coalition of the ACT and the Capital Health Network. Terms of Reference for the network are now being drafted and feedback will be sought on them in due course.
MACR
Families ACT has been asked to provide feedback to JACS on draft legislation to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility. The legislation is expected to be introduced in the Legislative Assembly in March 2023. Following its introduction we expect the Bill will then be referred for inquiry before a Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly. Through this process, there will be further opportunities for ongoing consultation and input as the inquiry seeks public submissions and undertakes hearings into the Bill. Families ACT will keep you informed about developments.
Sector development
Six Joint Case Reviews (JCRs) scheduled for 2023
First one happening – 7th March 2023
Families ACT has scheduled six Joint Case Reviews (JCRs) in 2023. We are changing the way you can register for the JCRS with online registrations opening 4 weeks before each JCR is being held. For more information and to register for the March JCR go to eventbrite.com/cc/2023-joint-case-reviews-jcrs-1721379
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
