Improved Services Initiative



[134.37Kb] 		Improved Services Initiative - Key Components
There are two key components to the National Comorbidity Project.
The first is the funding of AOD NGOs to build their capacity to better respond to people experiencing both drug and alcohol and mental health issues. Peak bodies have been funded under the Cross Sectoral Support and Strategic Partnerships Project (CSSSP) to support and coordinate a statewide approach.
Key Components
Last Update:
30-10-2008
Contributor: VAADA Improved Services Coordinator
Original Author/Source: Gail Ward

[96.25Kb] 		3rd report in NCETA's Effective Dissemination Series available
NCETA has now released the third report in the Effective Dissemination series "An Examination of Theories and Models of Change for Research Dissemination in the AOD Field"

All three reports on effective training in the AOD sector are available from NCETA.

Part One is the systematic review on effective dissemination strategies. Part Two, examines the costs of using the strategies. Part Three, examines the theories and models of change.
Last Update:
01-04-2009
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator
 Original Author/Source: NCETA

[288.04Kb] 		A List of Links
The list includes significant contacts for the AOD and Mental Health area. Links include peak advisory, research bodies as well as governement departments information sites, networks together with professional groups.
Last Update:
29-10-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator
 Original Author/Source: Internet

[91.95Kb] 		ADCA's Comorbidity Definition
Recent documentation released by ADCA, its Definition of Comorbidity. The Carers role in Managing Comorbidity statement can also be accessed from the ADCA website.
Last Update:
12-11-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative
Original Author/Source: ADCA

[778.97Kb] 		Barriers and Incentives to Treatment for Illicit Drug Users
Monograph Series No 53
 There were two main purposes to this monograph:
 the first and investigation of barriers and incentives to treatment for substance use and the second was the development of recommendations regrding possible policy and program directions that arose from the research
Last Update:
17-08-2008
Contributor: Australian Government
 Original Author/Source: Department of Health and Ageing

[423.45Kb] 		Barriers and Incentives to Treatment for Illicit Drug Users with Mental Health Comorbidities and Complex Vulnerabilities
Monograph Series No 61
 This Monograph explores the challenges experienced by people with co-occurring mental health and illicit drug issues.
Last Update:
17-08-2008
Contributor: Australian Government
 Original Author/Source: Department of Health & Ageing

[334.01Kb] 		Barwon Region's Training
Featuring Barwon Region training opportunities.
Last Update:
01-04-2009
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative

[250.81Kb] 		COMPASS vs DDCAT
What is the difference between the capacity assessment tools? Who can use them? What are their advantages and disavantages? Where can AOD services access them
Last Update:
21-09-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: Department of Health and Ageing

[217.00Kb] 		Caraniche Training Calendar
Caraniche is a Victoria-based private psychological company and Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers a range of tertiary consulting services.
The Caraniche consultants are registered psychologists and social workers. Caraniche will provide training and consultancy from an applied perspective customized to their client’s needs.
Last Update:
23-09-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator
 Original Author/Source: Caraniche

[656.15Kb] 		Clinical Supervision: A Practical Guide for the Alcohol and Other Drug Fields
The practical guide states that it is for those "who want to be part of a clinical supervision program."
It is designed for the Alcohol and Other Drugs field for those working
 with people with AOD problems.
 It is a resource for
• workers
• health professionals wanting to specialise in drug and
 alcohol
• experienced practitioners supervising AOD workers
 • researchers wanting to study clinical supervision
• individuals in management roles (e.g., CEOs, managers)wanting to oversee the development and
 implementation of a supervision program in their workplace.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA),
 Original Author/Source: Alexander Ask & Anne M Roche - NCETA

[270.65Kb] 		Comorbid Capacity Assessment
What is the DDCAT? Who can use it? How is it different to the COMPASS tool?
 Find out more about organisational comorbidity capacity.
Last Update:
21-09-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: Gail Ward

[447.12Kb] 		Council of Australian Governments National Action Plan for Mental Health 2006 - 2011 Progress Report 2006 - 2007
Progress Report 2006 - 2007
 The COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health,endorsed in July 2006, represents a landmark in the development of mental health services in Australia.
This is the first in the series of annual reports stipulated by COAG as a requirement for monitoring implementation. It describes progress made in 2006-07 and presents information about allocations to date in each of the priority areas, along with details of additional funding commitments made by jurisdictions since the Action Plan was signed.
 The report brings together the most current data relevant to 12 progress indicators agreed to by COAG for measuring the outcomes of the Action Plan.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: COAG

[623.23Kb] 		Critical Thinking About Drugs
This free seminar series is provided by YSAS in a number of rural and metropolitan areas including Traralgon, Benalla, Bendigo, Geelong, Ballarat and Carlton and will offer participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of a number of drugs and related issues.
Last Update:
31-10-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative
 Original Author/Source: YSAS

[431.22Kb] 		Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment
A brief overview of the Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment (DDCAT) Index Toolkit that Improved Services Initiative grant recipients are using to identify their capacity to provide services to people with drug and alcohol and mental health issues.
Find out more about the tool developed for AOD services
Last Update:
21-09-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: Department of Health and Ageing, April 2008

Faith & the Fix
Encounter discovers many within the mainstream churches have embraced the 'harm minimisation' strategies of needle exchanges, residential rehabs and even injecting centres ...
Last Update:
01-04-2009
Contributor: Ray Moynihan
Original Author/Source: ABC Radio National Encounter

Four approaches to capacity building in health:consequences for measurement and accountability
Top Down - changing policies, Bottom Up - provision of skills, partnership approach - strengthening of relationships or is it community organisational approach?
The authors examine four approaches to capacity building, and consider the role
 of funding bodies and question how these factors
 impact on the evaluation of capacity building.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Health Promotion International
 Original Author/Source: BETH R. CRISP, HAL SWERISSEN and STEPHEN J. DUCKETT

[182.39Kb] 		Improved Services Initiative - VAADA's Project Tasks
VAADA’s key focus areas are to:
Build linkages and strategic partnerships between AOD sector and other health and community support services
 Assist AOD NGO’s to undertake organisational change
Identify and facilitate training opportunities
Disseminate targeted information and resources
Last Update:
17-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator
 Original Author/Source: Gail Ward

[451.82Kb] 		Improved Services Initiative Background Flyer
This flyer provides background information on the National Comorbidity Initiative together with details of the 27 services funded in Victoria.
Last Update:
21-09-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: Gail Ward

[153.68Kb] 		Improved Services Initiative: Project Objectives
VAADA will support the twenty-seven Victorian funded services as they undertake there capacity building projects.

Project Objectives
Last Update:
17-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: Gail Ward

Map of Victorian Improved Services
Follow the link below to locate the Department of Health & Ageing funded Improved Services AOD NGO services in Victoria.
Last Update:
14-11-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator
 Original Author/Source: Improved Services Initiative Clearinghouse Officer

[203.08Kb] 		Monograph Series
National Drug Strategy Monograph Series
 The attached document provides the list of monographs produced about comorbidity.
Last Update:
17-08-2008
Contributor: Australian Government
 Original Author/Source: Department of Health and Ageing

[703.48Kb] 		NSW Drug and Alcohol Clinical Supervision Guidelines
This document produced and published in June 2007, by the NSW state government provides comprehensive guidance to the implementation of clinical supervision programs within NSW Drug and Alcohol (D&A) services.
It informs local policies and provides a framework for good practice that D&A services can refer to.
 The document states the intention of applicability across disciplines to all workers in D&A
 services with responsibility for the provision of direct services.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Centre for Drug and Alcohol
 Original Author/Source: New South Wales Department of Health

[561.22Kb] 		National Mental Health Plan 2006 - 2011
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health provides a strategic framework that emphasises coordination and collaboration between government, private and non-government providers to deliver a more seamless and connected care system, so that people with mental illness are able to participate in the community.
 This National Action Plan outlines a series of initiatives that will be implemented over the five-year period. It aims to improve mental health and facilitate recovery from illness.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Cordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: COAG

New Comorbidity Resource
PsyCheck
 Find out more about PsyCheck. The evidence-based treatment program developed by Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre.
 The Psycheck screening tool has been designed for use by clinicians who are not mental health specialists.
Follow the link below to access the PsyCheck website and learn more about PsyCheck.
Last Update:
01-04-2009
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative
Original Author/Source: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator

[861.89Kb] 		New National Drug Strategy Monograph Series report: 'Cannabis and Mental Health: Put into Context'
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has released the report "Cannabis and Mental Health: Put into Context" as part of its National Drug Strategy Monograph Series. Monograph 68 can be accessed by downloading the PDF below, to read.
Last Update:
01-04-2009
Contributor: Improved Services Coorodinator
 Original Author/Source: Department of Health and Ageing National Drug Strategy

[1.23Mb] 		Review of diagnostic screening instruments for alcohol and other drug use and other psychiatric disorders 2nd Edition
Review of diagnostic screening instruments for alcohol and other drug use and other psychiatric disorders 2nd Edition.
 This Victorian resource has as its aim to equip treating mental health and alcohol and other drug treatment clinicians and agencies to recognise co-occurring disorders and provide effective responses. It provides brief profiles of some of the available tools and approaches supported by the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative (VDDI).
 The resource is aligned with the state-wide Dual Diagnosis Action Plan 2007-2010 and the DHS 2007 policy, Dual diagnosis: Key directions and priorities for service development.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: Gary Croton: Eastern Hume Dual Diagnosis Service

[690.36Kb] 		Review of diagnostic screening instruments for alcohol and other drug use and other psychiatric disorders: 2nd Edition.
Review of diagnostic screening instruments for alcohol and other drug use and other psychiatric disorders 2nd Edition.

This Monograph published in 2002 is a comprehensive review of both screening and diagnostic tools related to comorbidity. It has the additional feature in that it provides information about specific population groups: older persons, adolescents and indigenous Australians.

The objectives of the review were to:
 • update the original review of AOD and psychiatric screening/diagnostic instruments,
• recommend when these instruments should be used, by whom and how they should be interpreted,
• identify limitations and provide recommendations for further research,
• refer the reader to pertinent Internet sites for further information and/or purchasing of
• assessment instruments.

Website: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-publicat-document-mono48-cnt.htm
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: NDARC

Round 3 Comorbidity Scholarships Announcement
The results of the Round 3 Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships, are available from the NCETA website. 29 Victorian Scholarships
Last Update:
01-04-2009
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative
Original Author/Source: NCETA

[545.38Kb] 		SAMHSA’S Co-Occurring Center for Excellence, Assessment: Technical Assistance, Report for the Co-Occurring State Incentive Grants
Note this is a large document
 SAMHSA’S Co-Occurring Center for Excellence (COCE) Assessment: Technical Assistance (TA) Report for the Co-Occurring State Incentive Grants (COSIGS)
 August 2005 Updated June 2008
 This documents purpose is to provide an overview of the process surrounding selection of assessment assessments for co-occurring substance use and mental illness. The documents intention is as an introduction to assessment rather than an exhaustive review. While authored in 2005 its latest review was in June 2008. The 70 slides take the reader through a range of assessments and includes a couple of instruments that focus on trauma. Some of the inclusions are a matrix of assessment with selection criteria including administration time, assessors required skill and computer scored assessments.
Last Update:
12-11-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator
 Original Author/Source: SAMHSA

[419.63Kb] 		Some Questions and Answers About the Improved Services Initiative
Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more about the National Comorbidity Initiative in Victoria
Last Update:
09-09-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: Gail Ward

[4.29Mb] 		The Assessment and Management of People with Co-existing Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders
Todd FC, Sellman JD, Robertson PJ. The Assessment and Management of People with Co-existing Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders. A Commissioned paper for the alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand, the ministry of Health New Zealand and the Mental Health Commission, November 1998.

The preface states that the task was complicated and that the authors wanted the guidelines to be clinically useful.
The authors note that this document does not cover the needs of adolescents.
Last Update:
12-11-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator
 Original Author/Source: Todd FC, Sellman JD, Robertson PJ.

[66.48Kb] 		The Partnership Analysis Tool
So What is a Partnership?
The Partnership Analysis Tools is a resource for establishing developing and maintaining partnerships. The tool is divided into three activities. The first explores the purpose and value of the relationship, while the second maps its nature and the last activity involves the completion of a checklist which provides feedback on the status of the partnership.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: VicHealth

[610.24Kb] 		The Work Practice Questionnaire WPQ - iii
The Work Practice Questionnaire -an AOD training evaluation
 tool. It addresses a range of factors that are likely to influence training transfer and work practice change. The WPQ also contains scales that address participants perception of education and training programs.
 The WPQ was designed to assess the key factors likely to influence AOD-related work practices.
Last Update:
30-10-2008
Contributor: NCETA
 Original Author/Source: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University

[108.42Kb] 		Training & Event
Training and event calendar.
Last Update:
24-11-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative

[85.00Kb] 		Training Transfer: The what, how and wherefore art thou?
How do organisations support sustainable outcomes from their investment in training? What are the strategies organisations need to develop to maximise the training investment? What are the training frameworks that achieve the best outcomes?
This document challenges organisations to consider more than the content and training delivery.
Last Update:
24-08-2008
Contributor: Jodie Shoobridge
 Original Author/Source: NCETA Flinders University of South Australia

[95.51Kb] 		VicHealth Fact Sheet No 1 Partnerships
The Fact Sheet describes partnerships, their benefits. It uses the Himmelman continuum to describe the construct of partnership.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: VicHealth

[1.96Mb] 		Workforce Development TIPS: Chapter 9
This Resource Kit aims to provide straightforward and practical guidance, tools and resources to support workforce development activities and initiatives in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) field.
 It comprises 14 chapters: an introduction to workforce development and 13 workforce development topics relevant to the AOD field that while interrelated,can be used as a stand alone resource.
Each chapter contains evidence-based strategies to address a particular workforce development issue, as well as resources and tools that can be used to implement the strategies.
Last Update:
18-08-2008
Contributor: Improved Services Initiative Coordinator VAADA
 Original Author/Source: AERF

[1.69Mb] 		Workforce Development and the Alcohol and Other Drugs Field: A Literature Review of Key Issues for the NGO Sector
The project was a collaboration between state peak bodies, NCETA and the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA). Supported by the South Australian Department of Health.
 This report is part of a national project “Alcohol and Other Drug Workforce Development in Australia: The Assessment of Needs and the Identification of Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Change”.
Last Update:
24-08-2008
Contributor: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA)
 Original Author/Source: Natalie Skinner, Toby Freeman, Jodie Shoobridge and Ann Roche

Back