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Our Vision Innovative, responsive and culturally appropriate Umoona Tjutagku Health Service acknowledges the Antikarinya People as the custodians of the lands of the Coober Pedy Area and pay respect to elders both past and present. Umoona Tjutagku Health Service also acknowledges and respect the Antikarinya people’s cultural, spiritual, physical and emotional connection with their land, and community.

health services are accessible to Aboriginal people living in the Coober Pedy and surrounding region.

Our Values Integrity, Commitment and Ethics

Our Mission To provide a holistic health care service that achieves positive health outcomes through primary health care intervention as well as safer communities through prevention and education. 2

Contents Chairperson’s Report...............................................................................................................................................04 CEO’s Report..............................................................................................................................................................06 Administration Department Report......................................................................................................................10 Clinic Report...............................................................................................................................................................13 Cliente Survey............................................................................................................................................................16 H4L Report..................................................................................................................................................................18 NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) ..................................................................................................... 20 Drug and Alcohol Services Report........................................................................................................................ 23 AOD Report................................................................................................................................................................ 30 Social and Emotional Wellbeing Report.............................................................................................................. 38 National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS) Report......................................................................................................... 47 Program Coordinator’s Report ............................................................................................................................. 56 After Hours Mental Health (AHMH) ...................................................................................................................... 63 Organisational Chart................................................................................................................................................68 UTHSAC Staff Academic Qualifications............................................................................................................... 70 All Statistics................................................................................................................................................................77

Chairperson’s Report

It is my pleasure to present you the Directors Report and Audited Financial Statements of Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (UTHS) for 2022’/2023’.

The past year was a very challenging year for the Community and also for Umoona Tjutagku Health Service, due to post-Covid 19 pandemic issues. We are proud to say that the organisation has taken a lead role in the region in managing these post-Covid 19 issues with continued vaccination promotion campaigns, post-pandemic emergency support services and also in areas of preventative health promotion activities, in addition to its standard services offered to its clients.

I am also pleased to state that the Board met on a regular basis to understand and guide the organisations strategic direction, and its short-term and long-term goals. We are pleased to say that the Board Members were provided with all Financials and other important information which helped us to understand how the organisation was performing at any given time. The External Accountants and Auditors of the organisation also provided the Board with Financial updates on a regular basis which contributed towards the Board making informed decision based on independent advice.

I am also delighted to inform everyone that the organisation has been successful in obtaining Grant Funding to build a new Clinic and staff housing in Coober Pedy. I am confident that this will help us to attract skilled staff and deliver more services to our people in this region.

The Board, CEO and Secretary were provided Governance Training in the past year, while the Sectary also participated in ORIC led online training relation to Board and Governance matters. As done each year, Board Members were offered the opportunity to upskill themselves

in Board, Governance and Financial matters if required. The organisation strives to ensure that the Board, which gives Strategic Direction to the organisation, has the necessary skills and knowledge to do so. I take this opportunity to thank the Community and Members of the organisation, for utilising the services or the organisation and supporting it to grow, so that the organisation could offer more services to the Community in future. I wish to request members to follow the organisations Polices and Processes which are in place, if you require to make a complaint or compliment the organisation for its good work. I also wish to inform all of our stake holders that the Board of Directors of UTHS have not received any monitory or non-monitory benefits in the capacity of being Board Members of the Corporation.

Finally, I take this opportunity to thank the Board, Secretary, CEO and all staff at UTHS for the great work they continue to do in order to improve the health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal People in Coober Pedy and surrounding Region.

Board of Directors

Katrina Williams Chairperson Umoona Tjutagku Health Service

Katrina Williams

Raelene Dodd

Chairperson

Chris Warrior Director

Patrick Larkins

Director

Gary Crombie Director

Director

Priscilla Larkins CEO

Dilshan Perera Secretary

CEO’s Report Welcome to our 2022/2023 AGM report I am pleased to present the annual report for the 2022/2023 financial year on behalf of the Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation.

Acknowledgment of Traditional Custodians of Country We commence today’s proceedings by paying our respects to the Antikarinya, who have been the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather today, honouring the elders both past and present. We deeply respect their spiritual connection with this land and recognize the Antikarinya people as the guardians of the Coober Pedy region, acknowledging that their cultural heritage and beliefs remain profoundly significant to the contemporary Antikarinya community.

This year has presented us with a set of unique challenges, particularly with the multitude of health promotion activities undertaken throughout the year and COVID. Dr. Jason Agostino, Senior Medical Advisor of NACCHO has provided data that indicates that in the past two years, the number of deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples primarily caused by COVID-19 is nearly equivalent to the combined number of deaths due to flu and pneumonia over the past five years. COVID-19 vaccination rates have witnessed a decline, with the number

of COVID-19 vaccines administered in 2023 being approximately one-third of the number of Fluvax vaccines given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. There is a noticeable increase in rates of severe illness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the age group above 40 years. Childhood vaccination coverage has also seen a decline in most jurisdictions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.

NACCHO COVID-19 Program Update NACCHO has recently provided additional funding through the COVID-19 Transitional Planning Grant Agreements to support the Community-Controlled Sector’s adjustment to living with COVID-19. Eligible activities may encompass: •

•

including its rapid mobilization in the initial stages to prevent COVID-19related deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as ongoing strengths and challenges faced.

Staff Training

Umoona Tjutagku Health service continues to support our staff with Transitional planning activities ongoing personal self-development related to integrating COVID-19 care and mandatory training. Aboriginal into regular workflows. health workers strive and grow whilst working a and training on the Education and engagement job. Commitment to staff wellbeing activities, such as workforce training and health communications and development has resulted in a wide variety of training opportunities promoting vaccinations. completed by our staff this year which Vaccination activities, including have included; support for vaccine liaison officers and the provision of vaccinations. • Certificate IV in Aboriginal and

Additionally, NACCHO will be conducting an evaluation of the • sector’s COVID-19 response. This project aims to highlight the successes • of the sector throughout the pandemic, •

• • • •

Sexual Health training Ear and Hearing Health Training Immunisation Training Diploma in Practice Management and; • A range of other short-courses/workshops I take this opportunity to thank all our Doctors and specialists that have visited and supported our community. It has been such a challenging time with limited Rex flights that have made things very difficult to juggle with flights and finding ways to ensure there are no loss in services to our clients.

Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Medicare Training Mental Health First Aid Women’s Health training

A BIG Thank you to OZ minerals (Sam Hedditch and Team) for their dedication and support with flights provided to our Psychiatrists and Doctors. We would not been able to continue our services to our clients. Thank You

GPs Dr Nicholas Williams Dr Michael Nugent

Allied Health/Specialists

Dr Katharine Drinkwater

Kunal Wood - Physio

Dr Sheree Hunt

Beth Tiernan – Podiatrist

Dr Dianna Jefferies

Satinder Kaur – Diabetes Educator

Dr Nathan Taylor

Laura Keen – Dietician

Dr Anne Cawley

Rachel Elovaris – Dietician

Dr Manikcham Muthu

Tyson Baird – OT

Dr Saville Waid

Ben Hamlyn – Optometrist

Dr Shweta Jacob

Sam Hobbs – Optometrist

Dr Riza Cimen

Hearing Australia

Dr Robert Vickers

Dr Christopher Hunt

Audiologist Dentist Dr Allan Wigg – Herpetologist Dr Mo Hassan – Herpetologist

Registrar

Christelle Thomas – Respiratory Nurse

Dr Natasha Martin

Dr Shah Shiff – Respiratory

Dr Anh Thu Nugyen

Dr Chris Zeits – Cardiologist Dr Narsing Laddipeerla – Endocrinologist Dr Kirsten Campbell – Endocrinologist Dr Dov Deegan – Nephrologist Dr Heather Brownlee – Psychiatrist Dr Ana Tu – Psychologist

Aboriginal Health Worker Traineeship As some of you may be aware, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has introduced the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program. This program requires students to be employed by an ACCHO or AMS for the duration of their studies, with the ultimate goal of securing a role as an Aboriginal Health Worker (AHW) or Allied Health Professional (AHP) upon completion of their studies. We are delighted that this program will provide us with ongoing financial support, enabling us to offer accommodations and wages to our students while they pursue their studies in Adelaide. We hold high hopes that this upcoming year will see a more successful and productive training experience for our aspiring Aboriginal health workers.

Fay Fuller Foundation The Fay Fuller Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in South Australia, has been instrumental in driving meaningful change through purposeful and community-centric philanthropic funding. Rather than simply providing financial support and disengaging, they embrace a community-centered, trust-based approach and prioritize nurturing strong partnerships with their collaborators. Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that communities are the foremost experts in their own lives, and, accordingly, they place communities at the heart of all their initiatives. We are committed to close collaboration with Aboriginal communities, empowering them to lead initiatives that drive positive change. Through the FAY fuller foundation, we have received support in COVID packs and Social and emotional packs to support those in needs.

Ongoing Research Umoona Tjutagku Health has actively participated in diabetes studies in collaboration with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). This project has made significant progress during the year, thanks to the dedicated support from SAHMRI staff.

Oral Health We have also been engaged in new research through the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health at the University of Adelaide. We are working closely to explore future funding opportunities to support outback research in oral health.

New Building for Umoona Health We are thrilled to announce that we have secured funding for a new health service building to be located in the heart of the main street. This strategic location will greatly enhance accessibility for our clients and potential clients to the services offered by our organization. The new clinic will be situated between the Drug and Alcohol Services building and the Healthy for Life building on Hutchinson Street. Additionally, we have secured funding for staff housing, which will be constructed on Flinders Street, Coober Pedy. This initiative will aid in attracting and retaining staff by providing housing for employees who relocate to Coober Pedy. In closing, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Umoona Tjutagku Health Board of Directors and our dedicated staff for their

unwavering support during another challenging year. I am thankful for the board’s support and guidance, which has been instrumental in our ongoing mission to enhance the health and well-being of Aboriginal people in the Coober Pedy region, a commitment that has shone through in our resilience throughout the year. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to further the exceptional work of the Umoona Tjutagku Health Service in delivering essential services to our clients, as well as in cultivating and maintaining collaborative relationships to ensure a comprehensive range of services that meet our clients’ needs, all while working in partnership with local services, funders, and the community.

Priscilla Larkins Chief Executive Officer

Administration Department Report It’s with great pleasure that I present the Admin Report for the 2023 AGM. The past year has been a year of many challenges and achievements, but I am pleased to say that Umoona Tjutagku Health Service (UTHSAC) has been able to achieve/exceed its service delivery to its clients despite all of these challenges.

It is with great pleasure that I present the Admin Report of Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (UTHSAC), for the 2023’AGM.

In terms of Human Resource Management, it has been a very challenging year for the organisation. Unemployment in Australia being at historically low levels and the closure of Australian borders during the Covid-19 pandemic period has led to staffing shortages in critical areas across the Health Sector. Attracting and retaining Nursing staff has been extremely difficult in this current environment, where the organisation has had to utilise the services of

Agency Nurses to fill in for its usually permanent RN positions, which in turn has resulted in very high staffing costs for the Clinic and related program areas. Another area which has been impacted by staffing shortages in in the AOD programs were retaining qualified Social Workers on a longterm basis has been a challenge due to changes in the Skilled Migration programs of the State Government and the Commonwealth, where there is no requirement for employees who are on certain Visa categories to stay for longer than 6 months in remote areas, for a path way towards permanent residency. Continuous advertising for critical positions, higher wages for Agency staff and also high Agency costs have also resulted in a higher than budgeted spend on staffing, compared a to a few years ago.

In terms of its finances, I am pleased to state that UTHSAC has been able to manage its overall income and expenditure within its annual budget for 2022/2023. The process of continuous improvement practiced by all departments of the organisation has contributed towards UTHSAC improving its Accounting/Finance and Governance processes, which has resulted in more transparent and accountable finance practices. I am also proud to announce that the organisation has been able to secure funding for building a new Clinic in the Main Street in Coober Pedy, which would give greater access to clients and potential clients, to the services offered by the organisation. This will be situated between the Drug and Alcohol Services building and the Healthy for Life building in Hutchinson

Street, Coober Pedy, where clients would have access to all services offered by the organisation in one location. In addition to the above, the organisation has also been able to secure funding for staff housing, which is planned to be built in Flinders Street, Coober Pedy. This will enable the organisation to attract and retain staff by providing housing to employees who relocate to Coober Pedy.

I also take this opportunity to thank our Board, CEO, Management, staff and our Funders for all of the contributions and assistance provided to UTHSAC over the past year, which helped it to achieve, and in some areas exceed its objectives. Dilshan Perera Business Services Manager / Company Secretary

Admin Staff

Priscilla Larkins CEO

Dhananjani Bandara Finance Officer

Md Ashfaqul Islam IT & Communicare Support Officer

Dilshan Perera

Business Sevices Manager/Accreditation Support Officer/ Company Secretary

Nicole Perera

IT Systems & Communicare Suppport Officer & Finance and Payroll Officer

Jayden Muller

Admin Support Officer

Chathuranga Dias

Accountant/Accreditation Support Officer

Tanil Dehigaspitiya Facilities Officer

Sumeda Sampath Cleaner/ Driver

Clinic Report The year 2022-2023 has been a year of challenge for our Clinic. The COVID 19 pandemic and the slowing of education, halting of migration and the increased health demands has brought repercussions in the lack of availability of health staff across Australia and for us here in Coober Pedy.

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation took on a lead role not just for the Aboriginal members of our community but also for the general population particularly with COVID 19 vaccinations and swabbing and testing.

We have had to say goodbye to longstanding nurses and health workers as they have sought to be closer to loved ones interstate. This year we have been challenged by not enough nursing staff but have been well-supported by the two locum nurses (Petrea Mueller and

Stefani Cirillo pictured below) who kept renewing their three-month contract and ended up working with us for a year. Their nursing knowledge and their empathy for the community was a great contributor in the ongoing clinical management of clients through their life journey. Stefani maintained the portfolio of child health ensuring they had their immunisations up to date on top of her role as clinic nurse. Petrea was in charge of daily care of people with chronic disease and has been instrumental in ensuring that even in the last stages of their chronic disease journey as palliative clients, their wishes were heard and they passed away with peace and dignity. Assisting with the management of people with chronic disease has been Geraldine Hannan a visiting Chronic Disease Coordinator funded by RDWA. Geraldine helps in the overall planning of Chronic Disease Management Coordination from early detection using health assessments and finding

out who needs care plans and care plan reviews. She then works with the AHW, nurses and doctors to make sure that those patients do have their care plans mapped out for them so that the doctor and the clinic nurse can have them signed off. Geraldine comes to us with extensive experience previously working with Nganampa Health coordinating the Hearing Programs for the APY land clinics.

Healthy for life building refurbishment

We have only had visiting doctors but at least three of them were repeating visitors. Most of our nurses were on short term placements of between three weeks and three-month contracts. In this new financial year, we once again are recruiting for nurses to supervise our health workers and keep the service going. We have also welcomed a new Healthy

for Life Coordinator, Lucy McInerney and new health workers; Kym Lebois, Rameth Lebois, N’ky Carbine. We also said goodbye to our longstanding Medical Director, Nicholas Williams in June 2023 and will welcome our new Medical Director in July. We also now have GPs available 2-3 weeks out of every month. We continue to work with Rural Doctors

Sick Kids in the Bush workshop with Care Flight

Workforce Agency for regular visits of a female GP and continue to have the services of a Chronic disease nurse Geraldine Hannan one week a month in coordinating the care of clients with chronic diseases. This year we have completed refurbishment works at the Healthy for Life building with a new indoor children’s play area, new

air-conditioning, and sun shade outdoor play area. This has been a much-loved space for children’s women’s and men’s health check events.

service. To gain access inside the building we are still screening clients for respiratory symptoms and ask them to perform hand hygiene and wear a mask.

We refreshed our knowledge of First Aid with DRSABCD and added knowledge of E (exposure so we can check out the entire body) and G (Glucose must be checked in children).

We are now “living with COVID” and have placed steps to keep our clients and staff safe. We encourage people to get the COVID vaccine booster, maintain social distancing and continue with hand hygiene outside the health

Our staff training continues to keep us well informed and trained, and to prepare for unforeseen emergencies or pandemics. Our programs continue with visits from some Allied Health Workers such as; CareFlight Sick Kids in the Bush Education and Training Session

The facilitators Olivia and Jess allowed us to practice scenarios like car accidents as well as a sudden childbirth. We learned how to put in oropharyngeal airway as well as firing a bone injection gun and how important it is to send for help early.

On June 14, 2023, All the clinicians at Umoona Tjutagku Health Service were given the opportunity to learn new skills in dealing with very sick children who may come to the health service. This training has made us aware how important it is to take accurate measures of vital signs particularly of heart rate and respiration rate (pulse rate and number of breaths per minute). Too slow or too fast signals a very sick child.

We hope we never have to use what we have learned but in case it does, we are better prepared Optometrist, Occupational Therapist, psychologist, and podiatrist. Arlene Ackland Senior RN, Clinic Manager

Point of Care equipment education via the phone

Changing of GP In June 2023, UTHS has had to say goodbye to our lon-standing Medical Director, Dr Nicholas Williams as he has decided to pursue other interests in his life. “Dr Nick”as he has been affectionately called has decided to retire from his position as a Supervisor for the Roving Registrars effective June 30, 2023. Thank you, Dr Nick for all your contribution, guidance, and expertise. We will certainly miss your knowledge and smile!

On a happy note, we have asked another outstanding GP to become our Medical Director. Dr Michael Nugent is a very well versed medical practitioner who has come to us with many, many years experience as a general practitioner and a varied experience in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service having worked in Yalata (Tullawon), Wilcannia, Menindee (Maari Ma), Nepabunna and Copley (Pika Wiya). He has also been working with us here at Umoona Tjutagku Health Service for the past two years. Michael, loves the country and enjoys the outdoor activities from the bush such as bushwalking. Michael has a keen interest in Chronic Disease, particularly diabetes and has worked with male members of our Community for almost all our Pit Stop (male health check) events.

We Welcome our New Medical Director, Michael Nugent

Client Survey How long have you been a client with Umoona Tjutagku Health Service? less than one year

Encounter Analysis

25 17

1-2 years

2-5 years

5-10 years Over 10 years

46 0

How satisfied are you with the support provided by Umoona Tjutagku Health Service? 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

From the below list, which services do you access at Umoona Tjutagku Health Service?

General Practitioners = 2418 Cardiologist = 25 Audiologist = 13 Optometrist = 123 Counsellors = 3 Dentist = 218 Diabetes Educator = 55 Dietician = 68 Endocrinologist = 39 Occupational therapist = 39 Physiotherapist = 50 Podiatrist = 130 Psychiatrists = 228 Psychologists = 61 Respiratory Physician = 32 Physician = 3

General Practitioner

Nurses

Very Satisfied

Satisfied

Extremely Dissatisfied dissatisfied

Health Workers

2418

Survey Returned

Support attending appointments Travel to Port Augusta or Adelaide for medical appointments

Very important

Not important (0)

Specialists

How significant do you feel this program has helped in improving your health condition?

Important

Allied Health

53 83

66 88

How can we improve the service? • • • • • • • • • • •

More Treatment rooms Be better at communication Name tags to identify individuals You don’t need to change a thing No, nothing needed Doing good, thank you Do more programs to keep the people involved connected (all one) All good Just keep up the good work Put voucher price up to $50 More womens (sic) and mens (sic) group activity

H4L Report

Together the team works to address women’s health business across different age groups in a safe, respectful, and culturally appropriate manner.

Throughout the year we held several programs through our Health for Life project. These programs and services were held at both the Healthy for Life complex and the UTHS clinic.

practitioners, midwives, podiatrists, audiologists and optometrists, as well as UTHS Aboriginal health workers, sexual health workers, social workers and nursing staff.

A wide range of multidisciplinary services worked alongside the health service to hold events for specific target groups within the community. Some of these specialists and allied health professionals throughout the year who were part of the many programs, include general

Our most successful health program of the year was the Women’s and Kids Health Check day, held in May. We had previously held a similar program earlier in the year which was successful, but we were able to improve the service further when holding the event a second

time later in the year with more health services and activities for the families of Coober Pedy. Other programs held that were successful included a foot health clinic with podiatrists, monthly midwife visits for antenatal clients, women’s health and CST screening, STI information and screening for men and women separately, catch up immunization programs and many more.

By promoting regular programs within the community ensures more clients are screened and have regular health checks completed. This ensures early intervention and treatment when health issues are identified, and contributes to working towards better health outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community within Coober Pedy. Lucy Mc Inerney H4L Coordinator

NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) The National Disability Insurance Scheme known as the (NDIS) is a scheme of the Australian Government that funds costs associated with disability. The scheme was legislated in 2013 and went into full operation in 2020.The scheme is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency known as the (NDIA) and overseen by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission). The scheme entitles people with a “permanent and significant” disability (under the age of 65) to full funding for any “reasonable and necessary” support needs related to their disability (subject to certain restrictions). Funding is allocated to the individual. The individual or their guardian chooses which providers supply the funded goods and services (subject to certain restrictions).

The NDIS Early Childhood Approach Our early childhood approach is how we support children younger than 9 and their families. The early childhood approach helps children younger than 6 with developmental delay or children younger than 9 with disability and their families to access the right support when they need it. The early childhood approach was developed based on evidencebased research with the help of leading experts in early childhood intervention. The approach supports best practice in Early Childhood intervention because it helps the child and family to build their capacity and supports greater inclusion in community and every day settings, meaning each child

will be provided with opportunities to grow and learn. It is about giving children and their families the right supports to enable them to have the best possible start in life. Children younger than 6 do not need a diagnosis to get support through the early childhood approach where there are concerns about their development. The early childhood approach was developed based on evidencebased research with the help of leading experts in early childhood intervention. The approach supports best practice in early childhood intervention because it helps the child and family to build their capacity and supports greater inclusion in community and every day settings, meaning each child will be provided with opportunities to grow and learn.

Our early childhood approach focusses on being both familycentred and strengths-based. We do this by acknowledging that as parents and carers you know your child best. Families are at the centre of all services and supports. The NDIS Early Childhood approach aims to: •

provide timely support to ensure that families are able to access the supports they need

•

Give families information about best-practice early childhood intervention supports and how you can help your child.

•

increase your confidence and capacity to manage and respond to your child’s support needs

Supports funded by the NDIS need to:

increase your child’s ability to do activities they need or want to do throughout their day increase your child’s inclusion and participation in mainstream and community settings like childcare or recreation.

It is about giving children and their families the right supports to enable them to have the best possible start in life. A child’s early years are very important as they set up how they will learn and develop later in life. •

Give you information about, and referrals to, other support services if needed, like parent support groups.

The NDIS is entirely publicly funded: recipients do not purchase or contribute to an insurance policy. The NDIS funding is independent of the Disability Support Pension and Medicare, Australia’s universal health care insurance scheme. The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.

The NDIS also connects anyone with disability to services in their community. This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting events, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by each state and community. The NDIS provides funding to participants for supports and services aimed at increasing their independence, inclusion, social and economic participation.

•

be related to the participant’s disability

•

Not include day-to-day living costs that are not related to a participant’s disability support needs

•

Represent value for money

•

be likely to be effective and beneficial to the participant, and

•

Take into account informal supports given to participants by families, carers, networks, and the community.

For more information about how to gain access to the NDIS and how to use your NDIS plan and access to the NDIS Commission Portal, our friendly staff are always available to help, support and direct you to the correct channels in order to access supports, services and mentoring. Josie Warrior Remote Community Connector Yusharni Perera Remote Community Coordinator

Clinic Staff

Arlene Ackland Clinic Manager

Laura Larkins

Theresa Joseph Registered Nurse

Misho Miller

Aboriginal Health Worker

Shobhavie Kohombange

Assistant Practice Manager

Practice Manager

Lamis Gomes Enrolled Nurse

Elaine O’toole

Aboriginal Health Worker

Josie Warrior

Remote Community Connector

Vindya Perera

Medical Receptionist

Cynthia Dodd

Yusharni Perera

Remote Community Coordinator

Chamodi Jayasinghe Assistant IT Support Officer

Joanne Williams

Aboriginal Health Worker Aboriginal Health Worker

Lucy Mc Inerney H4L Coordinator

Damien Riessen

Health Promotions Officer

Jonte Larkins

Aboriginal Health Worker

Petrea Mueller Registered Nurse

Iroshan Arangala

Program Coordinator

Christopher Tsakiridis Aboriginal Health Worker

Jing Nie

Registered Nurse

Rameth Lebois

Aboriginal Health Worker

N’Ky Carbine

Aboriginal Health Worker

Stefani Cirillo

Registered Nurse

Zachary O’Reilly Aboriginal Health Worker

Aiden Ackland

Aboriginal Health Worker

Kym Lebois

Aboriginal Health Worker

Drug and Alcohol Services Report

I am pleased to present the Drug and Alcohol Services (DAS) report for 2022/2023. This year has been very productive, building on the successes of previous years. The aim of DAS operations is in line with the organization’s vision to provide quality ongoing care and support for clients in Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta.

Dangerous alcohol and other drug use can lead to mental and physical health problems, social and family problems, financial problems, violence, and exposure to the criminal justice system. Problematic alcohol and drug use can also affect a child’s parenting skills and well-being. Our services include helping people who are struggling with alcohol or drug addiction for a long period of time, as well as those who have concerns about their current alcohol and drug use. Treatment options range from free one-on-one sessions to assess how alcohol and drug use is impacting your current life, to long-term oneon-one sessions to stop their use, including an intensive outpatient treatment program for high-risk methamphetamine users.

The focus of our centre is a holistic approach and is delivered in a way that is culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of the individual client. Some of the innovative ways in which we engage with clients are through programs that provide education about the harmful effects resulting from the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. Staff work collaboratively to assess and identify the needs of clients and issues that contribute towards the clients’ problem. They work closely with the client to develop a treatment plan, set goals, and review the progress of each client. Clients also have access to oneon-one sessions with social workers for counselling or to discuss any issues they may be facing. In addition, DAS is pleased once again to be supported by psychiatrist

Dr. Heather Brownlee and psychologist Ana Tu, who are invaluable to the health and well-being of our clients. Their continued service to the community has been a driving factor behind many successful outcomes for clients. The DAS team works closely with other agencies in the community to assist clients’ access services such as Centrelink, Housing, and family supports, as well as services outside of Coober Pedy.

Support and Case Management •

•

Support: Support includes activities such as providing emotional support to a client who occasionally calls an agency worker. Case Management: Case management is usually more structured than support; it can assume a more holistic approach, taking into account all client needs (including general welfare needs) and encompasses assessment, planning, linking, monitoring, and advocacy.

Withdrawal Management Ana Tu, Psychologist • Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) • Post graduate Diploma of Psychology

Dr Heather Brownlee, Psychiatrist • BMed, FRANZCP • Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy

Withdrawal management (detoxification) includes medicated and non-medicated treatment in a residential or non-residential setting

to help manage, reduce, or stop the use of a drug of concern. This type of treatment is not available for people seeking treatment for someone else’s alcohol or drug use.

Rehabilitation Rehabilitation is an intensive treatment program that integrates a range of services and therapeutic activities, including counselling, behavioural treatment, social and community living skills, relapse prevention, and recreational activities. This type of treatment is not available for people seeking treatment for someone else’s alcohol or drug use. Rehabilitation is for clients who are willing to make the change on their own we have been very successful with this.

Drug and Alcohol Home Visits and Welfare Checks The aims to provide an overview and analysis of drug and alcohol home visits as a method of intervention and support for individuals facing substance abuse issues. Home visits are a valuable tool in the field of addiction treatment and prevention, allowing professionals to engage with clients in their familiar environment and provide personalized care. This report explores the benefits, challenges, best practices, and potential areas for improvement in drug and alcohol home visits. Drug and alcohol home visits involve trained professionals, such as counsellors, social workers, or healthcare providers, visiting individuals in their homes to assess their substance abuse issues, deliver treatment, and provide support. This approach recognizes that addiction is

a complex issue influenced by various factors, including environment, family dynamics, and personal circumstances.

Benefits of Drug and Alcohol Home Visits: 1. Personalized Care: Home visits

allow professionals to tailor treatment plans to the specific needs and circumstances of each client, resulting in more effective interventions.

3. Family Involvement: Home visits facilitate involving the client’s family or support system in the treatment process, fostering a more holistic approach to recovery.

2. Reduced Stigma: Clients often feel 4. Environmental Assessment: more comfortable receiving support Professionals can assess the client’s in their homes, reducing the stigma living conditions, identifying triggers associated with addiction treatment. and potential sources of relapse, and provide guidance on creating a supportive environment. 5. Access to Hard-to-Reach Populations: Home visits are particularly useful for reaching individuals who may be reluctant or unable to access traditional treatment settings.

Challenges and Considerations: 1. Safety Concerns: Home visits may pose safety risks for professionals, especially in situations where clients are hostile or unstable due to substance abuse.

2. Privacy and Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality can be challenging in a home environment, as other family members or visitors may be present during the visit.

Drug and alcohol home visits are a valuable approach to addressing substance abuse issues, offering personalized care, reduced stigma,and opportunities for family involvement. While there are challenges, implementing best practices and safety measures can help maximize the benefits of this intervention method. As addiction treatment continues to evolve, home visits should be considered a valuable tool in providing comprehensive and effective care to individuals struggling with substance abuse.

3. Limited Resources: Home visits require additional time and resources for travel and scheduling, which can strain service providers’ capacities. 4. Client Engagement: Not all clients may be receptive to home visits, and building trust can take time. 5. Documentation: Proper documentation of home visits is essential to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain accountability.

Programs and Activities

Best Practices:

2. Safety Protocols: Develop and follow safety protocols to protect professionals during home visits.

1. Assessment: Thoroughly assess the client’s living conditions, substance abuse history, and support system during the initial home visit.

3. Family Involvement: Encourage family involvement and support to enhance the client’s chances of recovery.

4. Cultural Sensitivity: Be culturally sensitive and adaptable to different environments and client backgrounds. 5. Continuity of Care: Establish a plan for ongoing treatment and support beyond home visits.

• • • • • • • •

Social Emotional Wellbeing Program AOD Program ICE Education and Prevention Community Bush Trips Sporting and Basketball Breakfast and Hygiene Program Client Support Program Veterinary and Pest Control Visits

Ngangkari are Aboriginal traditional healers from the Western Desert in Central Australia, which includes the Pitjantjatjara, Ngaanyatjarra and Yankunytjatjara peoples. The Ngangkaris come from different communities in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankuntjatjara Lands. We try to only use Nangkaris within our communities. The Ngangkari practice centuries old therapeutic techniques that have been passed on through generations. The Ngangkaris are born with the gift of healing and their practice is increasingly becoming commonplace in Western health settings to work beside medical doctors. The Ngangkari healers treat spiritual, mental and physical ailments and believe they can help the Indigenous community in a holistic way. A referral must be done prior to accessing Nangkari services. An assessment to be done through a counselor to determine the condition. If western medicine is not achievable then Nangkari will be approached.

Breakfast and Hygiene Program

Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB)

AOD / National ICE Strategy (NIAS)

DAS provides breakfast free of charge to all clients. The benefits of breakfast are well known, and for those with an alcohol addiction, having breakfast can help reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and contribute to the overall health of the client. It also goes without saying that maintaining a level of personal hygiene cannot be overstated. DAS provides free showers and laundry facilities on its premises, which can be accessed at any time of the day during business hours.

SEWB works closely with other programs within DAS to coordinate clients’ care and can assist clients in improving their social and emotional status through various means, including:

Alcohol and Other Drugs social workers, including Ice Strategy Social Worker, work closely with individuals, families, and the community to reduce harm related to drug and alcohol use and provide a variety of services to improve physical, emotional, and mental health. They also work closely with the psychiatrist, psychologist, and social workers. They assist clients in accessing detox and rehab services around the state, giving clients the option to receive specialized live-in programs. There have been ongoing trips to Oodnadatta and ongoing promotional days achieved.

• • • • • • • • • •

Keeping in touch with family and friends Finding people to talk to Talking to you in a nice way Seeing a doctor, local health worker, or counsellor Staying in touch with the earth and your community Connecting with your cultural and spiritual values Eating healthy Getting enough sleep Exercising daily Avoiding alcohol or drugs to feel better

KHALSA Aid Support KHALSA Aid has once again been proudly supporting the Coober Pedy community by providing food packs, clothing, footwear, and bedding, including blankets, sheets,

and mattresses. These packs are free of charge and have been well-received by the community, especially those individuals and families who may be finding it difficult to make ends meet. We look forward to maintaining a long-term connection to the organization, which has been an important part of providing support to our clients free of charge.

Community Funeral Support The DAS team helped and pitched in to support the community during Sorry business. This allows staff to engage and provide social and emotional support. Id like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for being consistent and providing such great care to our clients and community. We look forward to another successful year! Patrick Larkins Drug and Alcohol Manager

Professional Development

Drug and Alcohol Services Staff Patrick Larkins DAS manager

Koshani Yatawara

SEWB Social Worker

Chathuri Aberathna After Hours Mental Health Social Worker

Leel Hasitha

Assistant IT Support Officer

Thilina Rathnamalala Program Coordinator/ AOD Social worker

Gnanika Chandrasena NIAS Social Worker

Peter Tsakiridis Aboriginal Health Worker

Robert Hele

Senior Aboriginal Health Worker

Padmini Rana

AOD Social Worker

Precella Sumner Senior Aboriginal Health Worker

Harmanjot Kaur

After Hours Mental Health Social Worker

Michael Liptsey

Substance Misuse Worker/ NDIS Support Worker

Tajinder Bala

AOD Social Worker

Darryl Braund

Substance Misuse Worker (Dunjiba)

AOD Report Umoona Tjutagku Health Services (UTHS), is located in the most outer regional areas where the majority of the population is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which is approximately two thirds of South Australia. Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Social Workers working at DAS (Drug and Alcohol Services), assist Aboriginal community in their recovery journey from alcohol and substance misuse. AOD Social Workers are conducting programs in Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta and helping individuals and families who are struggling with addiction and substance abuse issues or substance use disorder. The use of illegal substances like marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine is referred as substance use disorder and using legal substances—like alcohol, nicotine, or prescription

drugs—illegally. Family, domestic, and sexual violence, homicide, victimisation, risky behaviour, increasing aggression, and criminal activity are among the significant negative effects of alcohol and other drug use on society. In these remote areas Indigenous people need to have access to such services in order to deal with difficulties and challenges they are facing in their daily lives because of AOD issues.

Role of AOD Social Workers AOD Social Workers ensure providing assessment, education and counselling for the Aboriginal people, their families and community in their transition to a better life. Services are evidence-based and person-centered and are provided within a trusted, respectful, inclusive and culturally responsive manner which values and promotes the positive and a beneficial relationship between the clients, their families and the community. AOD Social workers invest the necessary time in developing connections with people so that together they can assess all aspects of their situation, including their abilities, strengths and capabilities as well as the areas where assistance is needed. They provide options, supports, and pathways that make sense in light of the individual’s surroundings, preferences, and capacities. This could involve supporting people

to live independently or protecting vulnerable people from harm or abuse. Social Workers interact with clients, their relatives, and those nearby as well as other client groups, and communities. To navigate life and minimise potential dangers and harms along the road, one must feel empowered, which requires having a sense of options, choices or other possible courses of action. Screening tools and standardized measures are commonly used to assess clients who may be at risk of use or already using alcohol or other drugs. To find the level of dependence on alcohol and other drugs and to facilitate the community of First nation Australians with respect to employment, health, education, and other areas these tools are very useful and essential. Social workers can identify dependence, mental health status, quality of life and client risk by using Initial Assessment and the screening tools such as Audit Alcohol screening tool, K-10 and short assessments.

What strategies AOD social workers applying When social workers interact with their clients, they often apply a personcantered approach and strategies to prevent and minimize alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems in an effort to reduce the negative effects that drugs have on Indigenous people, including the individuals, families, and communities by informing about the effects and the harms associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs. Additionally, AOD team use different social work approaches and strategies which are aimed at preventing the use in the case of illegal drugs, or harmful use of alcohol and other drugs to lessen the levels of stress, grief, anxiety, worry and depression.

Various mechanisms used to prevent harm associated with alcohol and other drug use in the community and these mechanisms support the social works to provide efficient, high quality and safe services to developing safe environments that reduce the risk of harmful use. AOD team conduct different programs in Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta, such as brief interventions, counselling sessions (individual and group sessions), ICE workshops, 12 weeks plan, relapse prevention plans and educational sessions on healthy ways to cope with alcohol and other drugs and to build a meaningful drug-free life. The AOD team are providing practical and emotional support for clients living in the community, whose lives are significantly impacted as a result of substance use. This involved both one on one direct client support, and the delivery of support groups to keep drug triggers and cravings in check. In fact, guiding them towards productive activities such as music, painting,

sports, cooking or one of their hobbies could also help. The strategies are essential in ensuring that efforts are culturally appropriate and are a means of empowering people to regain a sense of control over their lives. The essential components of strategies used by AOD Social workers are Assessment, Plan, Implementation and Evaluation.

their clients to enjoy each day as it comes. Evaluation has its own value as at the end Social Workers evaluate not only the client’s success but also the further improvements, if any, to improve their skills. These are some of the key factors that influence clients’ lives, so that they can understands why it is critical to avoid drinking and using drugs.

Once the Assessment part has done, AOD team generally make, a plan on how to use Motivation Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Narrative Therapy during their counselling sessions with a particular client according their needs and priorities. While implementing the plan, AOD Social Workers use brief interventions, advice and education sessions and daily follow-ups, which play important role in a client’s recovery journey. This includes not only the approaches used by AOD workers, but also how they encourage

STRATEGIES ASSESSMENT

AOD Services A person’s home environment plays a huge role in whether or not they will develop a drug and alcohol dependency. Parents and other family who drink can set the stage for the drinking habits of the children, whether they intend to or not. However, at UTHS, the AOD team discuss the potential health problems that can develop from unsafe use of alcohol and other drugs use and provide individual feedbacks about the risks associated with continued drinking and conduct various appropriate programs and treatment plans in regards to provide awareness and education to the First Nations people of Australia in this remote area in regards to their AOD concerns and substance use, which includes:

Brief Intervention

PLAN

IMPEMENTATION

EVALUATION

Brief interventions aim to educate about the increase levels of drinking and the risk of developing alcohol dependence, the consequences and harms of dependence. Social workers include screening and assessment, which then allows them to provide information and advice to reduce alcohol or other drug intake and related problems. Social workers conduct these sessions by keeping privacy and confidentiality, and deliver various sessions of brief interventions rather than focusing on a single session, some examples include

counselling, 12 weeks plan, active listening and providing some strategies to deal with the situations. Discussions about safe drinking limits and assist the patient to set specific goals for changing patterns of consumption. These sessions assist people to make a change in their lives and motivates the client to reduce the use of Alcohol and other drugs.

AOD Programs and Educational Sessions Our AOD programs and Educational sessions are person and groupcentred programs for the clients who use alcohol and other drugs. While we provide our advice and services, we maintain trusted service and respect cultural values of all our clients. Our aim to provide information about how avoid substance use, how to identify triggers and slowly control them by their own routine and actions so clients have a better health and better life. The Harmfulness of alcohol and other drugs use can undermine the physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and mental wellbeing of our clients. The use of alcohol and other drugs to cope with distress in life can leave people more vulnerable to developing difficulties with mental health.

AOD Client Follow ups Our AOD team follow ups are one of the main key-turning points in client’s life as we daily check on their wellbeing, health needs, and other needs and provide assistance to get better. We also remind them about their AOD plans and motivate them to stick to the purpose of the plan because each client has a specific plan in place for their substance use. We encourage them to do regular checkups with GP’s and we observed their behavioural changes.

Home visit/check visits Home visits and Check visits are carried out by our social workers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders community. Home visit are important as we can observe and engage with clients to do follow ups, Check visits and Case managements. This way we can get a better idea about how their

living standards and how many people are living in a single household. What are the problems they have and etc.? During home visits and check visits people open up about their situation and be honest with social workers once we build the rapport and trust.

Oodnadatta Visits and Programs We have visited Oodnadatta during past year to engage with Aboriginal community to meet our clients’ needs and deliver programs. These visits mostly include follow ups with clients, Alcohol and other drugs counselling, food pack deliveries and Case managements. Oodnadatta has very small population and very limited access to the services. At UTHS we make sure we provide the best possible service to the clients to meet their needs and achieve their goals.

Ice Workshop AOD Social Workers conducted various “ICE Workshops” for local community in Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta. These workshops are directly linked with education and awareness of the clients in regards to AOD and ICE concerns. In these workshops some topics were discussed with the help of presentations and sometimes with the model for the better understanding. The clients are always participating in these workshops and these are two-way conversational sessions, ADO team include the clients in the conversations so that they can have a better understanding by participating and discussing the effects and harms and how to deal with those ICE and other drugs, rather than only listening. AOD TEAM Tajinder Kaur Bala Thilina Rathnamalala Padmini Rana

Where to go for help EMERGENCIES Dial 000 (For ambulance, fire or police) Mental Health Crisis Dial 13 14 65 Poisons Information Centre Dial 13 11 26 Alcohol and Drug Information Service 1300 13 1340 Confidential telephone counselling, information and referral from 8.30 am to 10.00 pm every day.

Family Drug Support Australia phone 1300 368 186

Lifeline Australia chat online or phone 13 11 14

MAP transports people under the influence of alcohol or other drugs to places of safety and support. Service available seven days a week.

Relationships Australia South Australia phone 1300 364 277 or 1800 182 325 (country callers)

National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline phone 1800 250 015

Gambling help online chat online or phone 1800 858 858

Open arms for past and present members of the ADF and their families phone 1800 011 046

Problem gambling phone 1800 858 858

GAMBLING

CRISIS COUNSELLING

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANS AND INTERSEX (LGBTI) PEOPLE

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Lifeline Australia chat online or phone 13 11 14

QLife - chat online or phone 1800 184 527

Alcohol and Drug Information Service phone 1300 131 340

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Mensline Australia chat online or phone 1300 789 978

Domestic Violence Crisis Line phone 1800 800 098

1800 RESPECT phone 1800 737 732

Alcoholics Anonymous Helpline phone 1300 222 222 Counselling Online chat online, phone - 1300 131 340, email, SMS services, self-help

1800 RESPECT phone 1800 737 732 FAMILY VIOLENCE

Relationships Australia South Australia phone 1300 364 277 or 1800 182 325 (country callers)

1800 RESPECT phone 1800 737 732

Social and Emotional Wellbeing Report

The health of an Aboriginal individual is contextualised within the mental health, physical health, cultural and spiritual health, and SEWB is at its peak when there are harmonious and healthy connections across all the domains.

The concept of individual and family social emotional wellbeing (SEWB) defines Aboriginal views of health (including mental health) in a holistic way. SEWB recognizes the significance of factors that enhance SEWB, including maintaining connection to land, sea, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and community networks, strong community governance, and cultural continuity. Moreover, body, mind, and emotions, family and kinship, community, culture, country, and spirituality are the seven domains crucial for SEWB. These are all important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and impact their wellbeing. It also

recognizes that a person’s SEWB is influenced by policies and past events. When it comes to wellbeing, mental health is a great part of an individual’s life as well as part of their SEWB. Aboriginal people view mental health and mental illness from a medical perspective and prefer to be considered within a holistic view of health. Aboriginal people recognize mental illness differently within Aboriginal communities and are impacted by trauma arising from the Stolen Generations, dispossession, and disconnection from land, culture, and community, as well as social discrimination, stigma, and exclusion.

UTHS Social Emotional Wellbeing Program Service highlights all those factors that need to be taken into account in order to support better access to culturally appropriate social emotional wellbeing support and perform through a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin, and the community in Coober Pedy.

Services provided by the UTHSAC SEWB/BTH program includes: According to the SEWB program, staff needs to deliver services recognising impact of past intergenerational trauma, loss and grief, stolen generation, racism, underprivileged life style, social injustice and social and cultural issues. Programs need to be planned focusing on to promote recovery through strength based, culturally appropriate, trauma and healing informed approaches. Staff

needs to be managed to acknowledge and respect traditional custodians of the land of Coober Pedy, the Antakirinja people and always follows their traditions by building up the good relationship with the people. As the Social Worker of the Social Emotional Wellbeing program, staff valued the “relationships and connections” as crucial to the any engagement within Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander communities. •

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Provided counselling support including; Narrative therapy, Grief and loss counselling, Motivational interviewing, person centred therapy and Anger management counselling. Liaised agencies for support provision Referrals and case management Community engagement, outreach visits Assisted and refer clients UTHSAC Drug and Alcohol services and other local service providers in Coober Pedy. Assisted and organise Bringing Them Home Link-up program. Liaised with mental health clinicians, coordinate monthly Psychiatrist visits and organise face to face appointments or Tele Psychiatry. Facilitated women’s programs (Art and Crafts/ Healthy Cooking) Organised cultural activities, Yarning circles and programs Provided continuous Support and Resilience Provided case management and coordination support Advocated on behalf of individuals, families or groups Provided crisis support Family tree- connecting community through finding the family members and their genealogy

Clients’ feedbacks/ success stories After working almost 3 years in the SEWB position, staff gained a better understanding of local Aboriginal clients as well as transients from APY lands and related to their needs and concerns. Staff was able to build trust and strong relationships with the clients, which initiated positive service delivery and therapeutic engagement. Case enrolment, case management, counselling, programs, and liaising with other agencies are the main key points for the position, and SEWB staff successfully achieved them with fewer challenges because of a better understanding and relationship with the clientele. Staff always welcomed the critiques with open arms and improved the service delivery accordingly. For an example, staff received positive feedbacks and requests to arrange hair-dresser’s program and able to

organise four successful programs last year and it was the most desired program among both male and female clients. Encouraged to express client’s ideas openly and planned the next program with those ideas and organised the programs beforehand was the key point of the success. During the Art and crafts programs, participants were allowed to bring their children during the school holidays and let them do the art and crafts with elders. It was a good opportunity for them to learn about Aboriginal performance art, which includes storytelling, dancing, and singing. All the clients were encouraged to learn cooking during the program as a day-to-day living skill. As a result, clients started to refer the program to others and were able to achieve high attendance numbers during each program. Meanwhile, staff delivered one-on-one counselling sessions and promoted activities related to trauma-informed care, grief

and loss, Narrative therapy, and a holistic approach by referring clients to clinic and health professionals such as psychiatrist and psychologist. Moreover, programs helped increasing client participation in DAS services and activities.

Success Story SEWB would like to share an achievement related to housing as it clearly shows how hard it is to get the least rental property in Coober Pedy for these Aboriginal clients. The housing application process takes time, and you need to put in extra effort to be successful in finding at least some rentals as well. One of the regular participants in the women’s program requested help from SEWB staff, showing photos of her living house, which was not in a better condition and needed to be repaired soon. She said she was trying, but she found it hard to get a rental property to stay in while Housing SA repairs her current house. She wanted support to fill out the application, a support letter explaining her current situation, and someone to be a reference for her. SEWB had a good understanding of the client’s situation and helped her to submit the application. After a few days, SEWB received a call from a private property agent to check the client’s ability to maintain the house in good condition and to find out about financial stability. SEWB assured her, guaranteed the information, and provided positive feedback for the client. The next day, the client contacted SEWB and said she got the rental house and was grateful for the support. She was also internally referred to get psychiatrist support as she was depressed due to a personal matter. She was a happy client who always actively participated in the women’s program and got support from the SEWB team to overcome her challenges. Further, SEWB worked with mental health clients and delivered their medications appropriately on a daily and weekly basis for those who could not follow the routine. Always receive guidelines from the psychiatrist and follow up with them and their medications.

How SEWB program liaised with the external stake holders After advocating, most of the times clients seem to be aware of the services they can get during hard times. When they had financial hardships, they are willing to come to DAS and get support from SEWB staff. After the initial assessment, staff submitted emergency hardship applications to AMYAC charitable trust, Centacare Catholic Country SA, Aboriginal Family Support, or Uniting Country SA and never hesitated to provide a support letter, send the application to the relevant organization on behalf of them, and do the continuous follow-up. When one of the transients wanted to return home, staff helped him get the bus ticket from the “Return to Country” program at Uniting Country SA.

Moreover, staff was able to liaise with services from external organizations in Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, and Adelaide, considering clients situations and needs. Emergency support, financial hardships, housing, transport, DV, AOD, and mental health were the main issues, and staff had to contact HousingSA, Uniting CountrySA, Centacare Catholic CountrySA, the Red Cross, Aboriginal Family Support, Umoona Council, Coober Pedy Council, Coober Pedy Hospital, Port Augusta Hospital, prisons, rehab centres, the AMYAC Trust, and Kokatha Charitable Trust to liaise with the services.

ups for their medications and other needs as necessary to their recovery. Case enrolment, case management, and individual goals were set up after the initial assessment with the first and second meetings with the clients, and women’s programs, pampering programs, community events, and health check programs were arranged to assist in achieving the set individual goals. Further, SEWB maintained internal and external referral processes aligned with improved case management and was successful in-service provision during this time period.

Outline of the SEWB services

SEWB Women’s Programs

The psychologist and psychiatrist were able to continue their visits to UTHSAC, and staff has been working closely with them and mental health clients to initiate their attendance at the appointments and continue the follow-

The SEWB project highlights program delivery as a key objective, and staff managed to deliver group sessions and achieve all the main key points. Staff follow-ups, counselling, activities, advice and education, case assessment, and case management were done during the program time. Staff has arranged women’s programs, pampering programs, community events, and health check programs to meet individual goals, helped them achieve them, and elevated the recovery process. Organized community events to raise awareness of social and emotional wellbeing, arranged group sessions aligned to a theme or topic of the week, educated attendees, and shared brochures or leaflets. Staff was able to arrange programs with dietician, dentist and clinic staff. All the programs followed the COVID-19 protocols and aligned with the organization’s policy procedures.

As an overview, the SEWB team managed to complete 45 programs last year and was able to get 6–8 clients for a program. SEWB always tried to work according to the program plan and the cycle, completed evaluations after each cycle, and got feedback and surveys. SEWB received positive feedback for the sewing program with the psychiatrist. Art, dance, music, and other forms of creative expression are used as means of emotional release, storytelling, and healing in Aboriginal communities. During the Art and Crafts program, some clients wanted to start “Raffia” weaving instead of dot painting. SEWB arranged it respecting their interest, as it was attached to their culture, and they were happy to continue weaving while yarning. Also, encouraged women to cook during the Healthy Cooking Program and arranged one program with the

dietician as well. It was a success, and participants were keen to learn about healthy eating and had long discussions with the dietician. Family Photo Day was another successful event that was focused on getting families and individuals connected with the community. SEWB was able to provide family photos to each and every participant, and they were really impressed and requested another session as well. The program outlined healing and therapeutic interventions by letting clients talk about their families, stolen members, and passed members with the SEWB team. At the same time, SEWB gained an understanding of the value of family structure, how pivotal it is to forming identity and to their own spiritual and cultural belonging, and how it assists in establishing strong links with the community and binds Aboriginal people together.

How SEWB staff developed much needed skill set SEWB staff achieved accreditation from the Australian Association of Social Workers last year and continued to get supervision with Dr. Heather Brownlee (psychiatrist) and continuing professional development (CPD), as it is crucial for a social worker to maintain an updated skillset. Staff got training from Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia, the Australian Association of Social Workers, and the Mental Health Professional Network. Staff got a valuable opportunity in February to learn about Effective communication and Conflict resolution, which were delivered by Federick Grocke (Paramount Training) and Emotional Intelligence by Maree Davidson (Managing Director, Hirewire Group). As well, in June, I had the opportunity to learn the modules of Connecting with People: Suicide

Response by Ian James, Principle Aboriginal Mental Health Advisor, Office of the Chief Psychiatrist, SA Health, and meet other SEWB workers across South Australia and listen to their experiences and challenges and how they have overcome them. Networking is crucial for social workers as it strengthens their role by fostering a sense of community, enhancing collaboration, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise. It ultimately benefits the clients and communities served by social workers, improving their access to comprehensive support and resources.

Support for Coober Pedy community Further, the SEWB team has managed to get bulk donations twice last year from KHALSA-AID Australia, which is an international nonprofit humanitarian organization that supports people all over the world. The team maintains a good relationship with them, expecting to get constant support for the Coober Pedy Aboriginal community. Staff distributed donations to people who were referred by other professionals and participated in DAS programs. People who had a hard time financially, COVID-19-affected families, and people who couldn’t go shopping due to other health reasons were highly appreciative of the effort. As the SEWB social worker and on behalf of the UTHSAC, I would like to express our deepest and sincerest gratitude to KHALSA-AID Australia for the donations and unwavering

support for Aboriginal People in Coober Pedy. Social and emotional well-being practices are firmly ingrained in Aboriginal people’s cultural heritage and traditions. Their holistic approach to health and wellbeing, which acknowledges the interdependence of the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual facets of life, is fundamentally based on these practices. To ensure that Aboriginal people can receive services without fear of prejudice or cultural insensitivity, UTHSAC’s SEWB program constantly safeguards culture and customs and develops culturally safe spaces. This is important for their social and emotional wellbeing. Additionally, it acknowledges how colonization’s past and present effects have had a significant impact on Aboriginal peoples’ social and emotional wellbeing. Along with this, the SEWB team advocates for culturally appropriate mental health

services that incorporate traditional methods and knowledge and are accessible to all Aboriginal people while maintaining their confidentiality and privacy. Therefore, SEWB team in UTHSAC always willing to help you in a variety of ways to overcome your Social Emotional Wellbeing challenges/concerns, and we are more than delighted to support you. All you have to do is visit the Robin Walker Drug and Alcohol Centre during normal business hours and arrange an appointment to meet with a SEWB staff member.

Koshani Yatawarra SEWB Social Worker

National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS) Report

Gnanika Chandrasena (Accredited Social Worker) Social workers can contribute goodness and light, helping people see hope rather than despair. Through assisting the clients to turn in right path; they can have hope for positive outcomes in their own lives.

NIAS social worker is a qualified and accredited social worker who is registered with the AASW, provides services to the first nations and the community, works at the Drug and Alcohol Day Centre which is the core section of the Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Cooperation. The aim of the NIAS services is to prevent use of methamphetamine (ice) and other drugs, to help those who are using these drugs to stop, reduce the harm, and relapse prevention with the goal of: Reducing the prevalence of ice use and resulting harms across the people and communities in Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta.

NIAS Programs and Services NIAS Social Worker has assisted individuals who were addicted to the methamphetamine with case management, regular client follow ups, home visits, brief interventions, counselling sessions, client-centred twelve weeks plan counselling sessions, and education programs and workshops. These preventative programs and workshops are developed to focus on providing education and support on methamphetamine and other drugs, these are a means of empowering people to regain a sense of control and mastery over their lives and include strategies that are Indigenous-led, family focused, culturally responsive, and context-specific.

NIAS Service Delivery: July 2022 - June 2023

4% 3%3%

12 weeks plan sessions 24%

22% 8% 3% 24%

NIAS Case Plan, Enrolment NIAS Oodnadatta visit Brief Intervention Advocacy/Liaison NIAS Case Management

Services Providing NIAS Social Worker includes:

Clients followup Counselling NIAS; Group, Ice Workshop Home Visit Advice/education

NIAS Social Worker created the twelve weeks plan counselling sessions as a treatment plan which is based on client-centred approach. This treatment plan focused on the person receiving treatment and their needs, protect their human rights, and should be responsive to their own unique situation, context and circumstances. The 12 weeks treatment plan consists with identifying the problem statements, creating goals, defining objectives to reach those goals, and establishing interventions. 12 weeks plan sessions focused to work with complex clients as a trial during the last financial year (July2022 June2023). When the treatment is finished, NIAS worker check with the clients for comments so that we can make sure they are happy with

the service they received, and if they aren’t, NIAS worker can take their opinion into account as part of our continuous improvement process. If the client requires additional assistance, NIAS worker will assist them throughout their rehabilitation process. NIAS social worker received positive feedbacks from the clients as well as observed clients change such as how to divert their minds to avoid cravings of substance.

Brief Intervention

Advice and Educational programs

Brief interventions are the evidencebased approach which aims to inform people that their substance consuming levels have increased and they are at merge of risk of depend methamphetamine, hence they might face long-term or short-term consequences of them. This intervention is used by NIAS Social Worker in order to make difference in the lives of Aboriginal community. These sessions assist people to think to make a change in their lives by thinking differently about methamphetamine and other substance use. NIAS worker delivers these sessions by keeping privacy and confidentiality, and it is an integrated approach to mental health and substance abuse treatment plans.

The aim of the advice and educational programs are reducing the impacts of drug and alcohol-related harm for individuals, families and communities and improving life outcomes for First Nations people who live in Cooper Pedy, Oodnadatta and other neighbouring communities. These programs are designed by NIAS team in UTHSAC to provide education about the risks and consequences could be faced by people by using methamphetamine and other drugs. Additionally, what are the things they can do by themselves to make a change such as how to divert their minds to avoid cravings of smoking or injecting methamphetamine, what strategies could be used to avoid relapse after they stop or cut down substance use.

Ice Workshop

Community Programs

NIAS Social Worker conduct “ICE” workshops in the community for local community in Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta. This workshop is directly linked to the methamphetamine and other drugs education and awareness of the clients. In the meantime, respective officers can allocate their time to yarn with the client’s regarding their concerns which will support NIAS social worker and the supportive team to understand client’s behavioural patterns as well. This will help in NIAS case management and follow ups. When these programs are conducted, Aboriginal staff is included in order to maintain cultural sensitivity as well to engage with clients too.

NIAS Social Worker and the Drug and Alcohol Day Centre team collaboratively work with other organisations to successful all the community programs in our community. The community outreach programs help communities function better. Social workers who practice community outreach may work directly with individuals, assessing their needs and then guiding them to the appropriate resources during the community programs.

NIAS client Follow ups

Home visit/check visits

NIAS Social Worker do daily home visits and follow up sessions about client’s wellbeing, health needs assistance with appointments with GP’s or any other help. For client with high-risk with methamphetamine and other drugs plan regular home visit in order to motivate clients who are not coming outside their homes, missing appointments with GP’s, so NIAS Social Worker and the team encourage clients to come forward and make a change to themselves. NIAS worker has make a specific treatment plan for our clients, which articulates daily follow ups, counselling sessions, early prevention of relapse and posttreatment follow ups except 12 weeks plan sessions.

Social Workers are supporting Aboriginal community by doing Community visits and home visits, daily-follow up sessions, check visits, outreach, brief intervention and case managements. Home visits are the initial step for building rapport, and trust by applying interpersonal skills and professional knowledge.

NIAS Counselling

Oodnadatta Visit

Counselling sessions are offered to clients by maintaining privacy and confidentially in regards to their NIAS concerns and to improve their quality of life also, improving mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing. Counselling, mental health promotion activities and harm reduction and suicide prevention programs have been shown to work, at times, in Aboriginal communities.

NIAS Social Worker and the supportive team doing Oodnadatta service delivery for Aboriginal community in Oodnadatta in order to follow up, case management, advice and education, NIAS group and individual counselling, health check, ICE workshop, educational program and to listen to Aboriginal clients. NIAS Social Worker build rapport and trust, apply motivational interviewing techniques and then in these ways work to moderate the substance issues, traumatic experiences of the clients, grief and loss, and various other issues during their visits in Oodnadatta.

Access to Rehabilitation: NIAS worker and the supportive team follow various techniques to work with Aboriginal Peoples. Further, with the client’s consent and motivation we send clients to rehabilitation centres in order to change drugseeking behaviour, teach harm minimisation strategies to reduce the harms associated with drug use for individual and communities. Our team, find out at what stage of change is client for example, precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Accordingly, team work with client after informed consent, applying various strategies of motivational interviewing, which is evident for behavioural change. Further, with the client’s consent and motivation we send clients to rehabilitation centres in order to change drug-seeking behaviour, teach harm minimisation strategies to reduce the harms

associated with drug use for individual and communities. UTHSAC provide clients various day to day necessities such as food, sanitisation and hygiene equipment’s as a motivation.

Why NIAS services are unique in the community. Our Drug and Alcohol Day centre is located in one of the most outer regional areas of South Australia in which approximately two thirds of the population is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Most of which our community is having methamphetamine and other drugs issues because of which they have deteriorating mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, and physical health, illegitimate charges, dealing with police and other offenses charges as well. Clients residing in these remote areas need to have access to NIAS social worker in order to deal with difficulties and challenges

they are facing in their day to day lives because of methamphetamine and other substance issues. In addition to that few clients referred by their family in Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta and some of Aboriginal clients came back to their community from cities to get the assistance and support from NIAS social Worker as the evidence of successful story in the community and their personal experience from family members in the community. As there are no other specialised treatment facilities for AOD particularly, methamphetamine provided by other organisations except our organization in Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta. Limited access to the services will result into negative impact on client’s wellbeing, community, family of the client as there will be more chances of an individual to get involved into methamphetamine and drugs results into increased incarceration rate in Coober Pedy and individual will get no

chance to improve them. Additionally, if we cannot find their level of dependence on alcohol and other drugs specifically, methamphetamine how social workers can able to support our community into closing the gap whose overarching aim to reduce marginalisation among First nation Australians with respect to employment, health, education, and other areas.

What strategies applying for NIAS services NIAS social worker is an AASW Accredited social worker often apply person-centred approach when engage with clients in the community to reduce drug-related harms for indigenous people including individuals, families, and communities. Moreover, NIAS social worker uses different social work strategies to reduce level of stress, grief, and anxiety as well. This strategy assists to strengthen and support the social work profession to deliver high quality, effective and safe service in a challenging environment. NIAS program consists brief interventions, counselling sessions, crisis intervention, case management, community organisation, advocacy, and active listening, and advice and education sessions to get the success outcome from methamphetamine and other drug treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Moreover, motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and System Theory applying as other social work strategies during the service delivery.

Success story -NIAS Caroline (29 years), was referred to the Drug & Alcohol Services (DAS) Centre by client’s mom and substance misuse worker (Oodnadatta) at Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation due to her methamphetamine addiction. Caroline has 4 children under DCP because of her methamphetamine addiction for 8 years and domestic violence with ex-partner. Caroline did not consider her physical and mental health during this period, even did not consider her hygiene and sanitation. She was in Adelaide until January of 2023 and moved to Oodnadatta with her current partner and staying her mom’s place when I met her during the Oodnadatta visit. During the first counselling session with the client, Caroline stated that she is worrying about her behaviour and meth addiction.

Caroline got to know about NIAS social worker from her mom and her two sisters (Currently, who are getting support from NIAS social worker due to addiction of meth) and then decided to move to Oodnadatta with her partner Diego to get rid of methamphetamine users and the area they lived. Caroline stopped meth injecting after moving and looking for social worker support for relapse prevention. Her partner also addicted to meth because of Caroline, but he was not a regular user as Caroline. Because the methamphetamine addiction client couldn’t sleep well, and she developed an eating disorder as well as a mental imbalance. Her addiction turned her entire life and which negatively impacted for her physical, mental, and emotional well-being. She struggled with both addiction and sadness. Caroline agreed to NIAS treatment on the advice of our NIAS social worker, and the experience was transformative.

NIAS staff took the time to explain the internal and external programs to her. She’d been in DAS NIAS programs such as Ice workshops and counselling sessions form February 2023, and she’d also kept all of her psychiatrist and psychologist appointments on time. Also, NIAS social worker followed up the client regular basis through the phone contact, during the Oodnadatta visits before she moved to Coober Pedy with her partner to get more support from NIAS social worker and other DAS social workers. Both Caroline and Diego started to worked on 12 weeks counselling sessions with NIAS social worker and they are still getting continues support from DAS social workers team. This was extremely beneficial to her understanding of how NIAS worker assist clients in overcoming their methamphetamine problems. In addition, that Caroline and Diego needed to settle down in Coober Pedy and start to work as well as after starting 12 weeks plan.

NIAS staff primarily used Motivation Intervention, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Narrative Therapy during their counselling sessions. Brief interventions, methamphetamine advice and education, and daily client follow-ups all played important roles in Both Caroline’s and Diego’s success journey. This includes not only the approaches used by NIAS worker, but also how optimistic they are about their clients and their lives, how they look forwards, and how they encourage their clients to enjoy each day as it comes. These were some of the positive key factors that influenced Caroline’s later life. Caroline has been away from methamphetamine for a while now, and she understands why it is critical to avoid injecting methamphetamine. To pass the time, the client no longer requires methamphetamine. Both Caroline and Diego started to work on community job as part time basis, and it is encouraging to see that they are doing so.

Caroline and her partner found a proper house to stay in Coober Pedy and she is pregnant now. She expecting to be a good mum. This is one of the most recent examples of how NIAS social worker helped our clients overcome their methamphetamine issues.

Gnanika Chandrasena NIAS Social Worker

Program Coordinator’s Report

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Drug and Alcohol service is standing in for the client’s day activities. It helps clients to make them selves comfortable during the day time. Psychiatrist and Psychologists services, AOD, SEWB, NIAS, and AHMH Social workers services, program coordinator’s services, Aboriginal health worker’s services are included in Drug and Alcohol services. Program coordinator worked collaboratively with the Drug and alcohol service staff as well as clinic staff. The following programs were delivered by the program coordinator; • • • • • • •

Men’s pitstop program Covid vaccination raffle program Men’s healthy cooking and music programs Open day program PEST control program KHALSA aid team visit Cardijn College visit September 27 – 30

Men’s pitstop program Did you know that the life expectancy for men is 5 years less compared with women? Often men look after their cars more than their own health – so it’s important that you keep up you’re servicing and have regular tune-ups – just like you do for your car. Pit Stop is an innovative program to engage men in changing their health behaviour. The poorer status or rural Australians’ health when compared to their urban counterparts is welldocumented. Contributing to this are poorer health risk-factor profiles, lower levels of education and income, greater exposure to physical risks through road travel and occupation, and less ability to access health services. In addition, men are more reluctant than women to seek medical advice/intervention. This program provides the opportunity for men to complete a confidential

health check in a non-medical environment. Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Drug and alcohol service and clinic collaboratively organised a men’s pitstop program. The program was successful with 15 clients. Dr Michael Nugent’s valuable speech about “keeping the numbers” and afterhours social worker’s session was interesting and clients had a valuable time. Aboriginal health workers and nurses kept continue the health checks and the rest of the staff cooked food and served for the participants.

Covid 19 Vaccination Raffle program Umoona Tjutagku Health Service has done a major part of the covid 19 vaccination program among the Coober Pedy community. To make sure our clients are safe and to acknowledge them to stay away from the Covid 19 disease, as a team, we were able to organise awareness programs, education sessions and on top of that, Umoona Tjutagku Health Service organised a raffle to encourage and make sure that the clients are vaccinated against the Covid 19 disease. Once we vaccinate our clients, we registered them to the raffle. Threetime vaccinated people were added three times. Two-time vaccinated people were added two times. Meantime, if the whole family decided to vaccinate at once, we straightaway gave them toasters, electric kettles, blankets, etc. That effort made a

huge difference of the percentage of people getting vaccinated. Drug and Alcohol team worked closely with the Umoona Tjutagku Health Service clinic, SA health covid vaccination team, and RFDS team during the vaccination program. In the raffle program, we announced: • • •

First place A brand new refrigerator Second place A brand new microwave oven Third place A brand new air fryer.

We delivered the washing machine, microwave oven and the air fryer to the winners. They were happy with our service and the presents they received from us. One again we were able to display a great team effort from the beginning to the last minute throughout the vaccination program.

The winners were: • • •

First place – Cecil Brady Second place – Ray Lennon Third place – Glenys Dodd

Men’s healthy cooking and music programs As a part of Drug and alcohol services men’s programs, the program coordinator organised men’s healthy cooking and music program. Educating about cooking a healthy meal is the main idea of organising the healthy cooking program. During the program, staff discussed with the participants about the healthy recipes, the ways of cooking, the benefits of having a healthy food, and the importance of keeping a healthy body. The main areas staff was discussing with the clients during the healthy cooking programs were some tips when preparing food, as follows; •

Use healthy cooking methods such as steaming, broiling, grilling and roasting. Frying requires adding fat to achieve the desired results and deep-fried foods add considerable fat.

•

• • •

•

Cook food in as little water and for as short a period of time as possible to preserve all water-soluble vitamins B’s and C. Use a variety of herbs and spices for additional flavour rather than relying on salt alone. Avoid packaged or processed foods, which are likely to contain added salt, sugar and fats. Recognize that consuming these foods increases your intake of salt, sugar, and fats considerably (often without knowing specifically what or how much). As we eat more and more processed foods, we eat less of the

•

phytochemicals and nutrients our bodies need. Wash hands and surfaces often using hot, soapy water. Washing hands before and after handling food or utensils, especially raw meat, poultry, fish, or eggs. Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating. Separate raw, cooked, and readyto-eat foods. Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, or eggs away from other foods to prevent crosscontamination. If possible, use separate cutting boards for these foods. If not, be sure to wash cutting boards carefully with soap between uses. Cook food to a safe temperature using a food thermometer. Uncooked or undercooked animal products can be unsafe. Keep hot foods hot (above 140 degrees) and cold foods cold (below 40 degrees) to prevent bacteria growth. Refrigerate foods

within two hours of purchase or preparation (one hour if the temperature is higher than 90 degrees). • When in doubt, throw it out. If you are not sure that food has been prepared, served, or stored properly, throw it out. If food has been left out for more than two hours, throw it out. Eat cooked leftovers within four days. Clients were very interested to take part in the healthy cooking programs and it was interesting. Music enhances social skills and playing an instrument or learning to sing requires genuine concentration and quietness and calm Working alongside other members of an instrumental or singing group helps children to recognise their own skills and appreciate those of others. Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Drug and alcohol service team organised men’s music programs time to time. Sometimes, individual clients used to

play musical instruments and spent their leisure time during the day. AOD, SEWB and NIAS social workers and were attended to the programs and conducted educational sessions during the healthy cooking and music programs.

Open day program

PEST control program

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Drug and alcohol service and clinic conducted an open day program to educate the community about the service of the organisation. There was a considerable number of participations for the program from both Aboriginal and non aboriginal people among the town. The participants were really excited and appreciated the program delivery of the organisation.

It can be easy to see a cockroach or mosquito as nothing more than a mind annoyance, but these pests can pose a danger to your family and home. Many pests can carry deadly diseases ranging from Zika virus to Lyme Disease and the deadly Hantavirus. Rats, ticks, and mosquitos pose a threat to people and should be dealt with asap. It is impossible to know for sure if an insect is a carrier and because of this, all pests should be treated as a danger.

Therefore, it was identified as a matter among the aboriginal community in Coober Pedy. As another community service performed by Umoona Tjutagku Health Service, we were able to support the Aboriginal community by providing PEST control service. As Coober Pedy is far away from Adelaide, and it is sitting in the middle of the desert, these people desperately needed the PEST control service. As a community friendly health service, Umoona Tjutagku health service was able to find a solution for the community. We were able to find a funding program to help the community. We delivered a PEST control service on 09 /05/2023 and 10/05/2023. All together we were able to do pest controlling for 41 houses among the community between those two days. We had lots of positive feedbacks throughout the process and people wanted the service every 06 months

and we are looking forward to deliver the service in the future as per the request.

KHALSA aid team visit Khalsa Aid, founded in 1999, is an international NGO with the aim to provide humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones around the world. Also, it is a UK based international non-profit humanitarian organization providing support to victims of natural and manmade disasters around the world. As previous years, the Umoona Tjutagku Social workers were able to be in contact with them to bring their support to the Coober Pedy aboriginal clients this year too. Specially with the winter season coming ahead, the support we have received from KHALSA aid during the previous years helped us to deliver a great service to the community.

On the 11th of May, they came all the way from Adelaide and stayed with us on the 12th and went back on 13th of May. Umoona Tjutagku Health service management provided accommodation and DAS team was able to go to few families with the KHALSA aid crew. KHALSA AID team donated food packs, groceries, single mattresses, blankets, winter clothes, shoes, pillows, and pillow cases from them this time. We were able to deliver them with the

volunteers who brought those to us. Coober Pedy local Aboriginal clients were delighted to have their service once again and appreciated the effort and the service delivery. The KHALSA aid team identified some needs of our clients during the home visits and they have now agreed to help some families and under 12 kids in the next couple of months. DAS team is looking forward to work on that.

Cardijn College visit September 27 – 30 Eleven high school kids and student representatives from Cardijn college with staff, from a school in Noarlunga downs, South Australia visited Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Drug and Alcohol services and its service delivery during September 2022. The main purpose of the visit was adding some knowledge about the Aboriginal culture, their living styles, etc. The kids participated to a community BBQ program with ICE workshop, men’s and women’s program and a kid’s program with DAS staff. There were lots of appreciations from the UTHS management, the Cardijn college staff and from the kids about the programs. They actively engaged with the local Aboriginal clients and learnt a lot and were able to achieve their goals during the visit.

The college student representatives are planning to make this happen as an annual trip for the kids as a part of their annual study plan. Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Drug and Alcohol services is looking forward to host the program. Thilina Rathnamalala Program Coordinator/AOD Social worker

After Hours Mental Health (AHMH) Who are After Hours Mental Health (AHMH) workers? An essential part of Umoona Tjutagku Health Services is the Afterhours Mental Health (AHMH) team, which works at the Drug and Alcohol Day Center. The primary objective of this program was to provide mental health supports when they need. The service was delivered by two AASW-registered social workers. The AHMH staff worked from 12.30 pm to 8.30 pm during the weekdays. Furthermore, the team worked on Saturday from 12.00 p.m. to 3 p.m. for three hours.

Service delivery method of AHMH team AHMH social workers are a vital part of the community, because people who were experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, or a mental illness episode received assistance from the mental health team in the Coober Pedy Community as well as Oodnadatta. Moreover, AHMH team assisted the client for their recovery plan through the case managements, brief interventions, counselling sessions, client follow ups, therapy sessions, after hours check visits, and home visits. In addition to that, the AHMH team collaborates with the Coober Pedy hospital. Staff members do visit the Coober Pedy hospital after hours for client follow ups who were admitted to the hospital during the

day. That information was referred to the day social workers teams. If a client has experienced a mental health episode, the AHMH team assessed the client, enrolled the client using our triage system (depending on the case), and conducted follow-ups to ensure the client is safe and doing well. After hours mental health social workers kept continuing the follow ups completed by the AOD, SEWB and NIAS social workers during the morning and afternoons and then followed the client during the afterhours including daily after hour’s hospital visits. AHMH social workers followed the clients who were admitted to the hospital during the day and handed over the client follow ups to the day social workers daily.

After Hours Social Workers Community Engagement In order to help the residents of the community, the AHMH team also collaboratively worked with other Coober Pedy stakeholders including Aboriginal Family Support Services, Community Health Services, Uniting Country SA, Red Cross SA, etc. Staff do follow ups with clients in after hours to make sure clients are being supported.

Strategies implemented through our process After receiving client referrals at the Drug and Alcohol Centre Day Center, the first stage in our triage method was the initial assessment. Clients were directed to the social worker for case management and enrolment when this assessment was done. Social workers interacted with their clients in two ways: by establishing clear goals and applying a personcentered strategy. Among the methods used by our social worker are narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. Our team used culturally competent methods while interacting with the Indigenous clients in Coober Pedy. Following an initial assessment with clients conducted by social workers, clients referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist depending on their circumstances. Additionally, following sessions with clients, Mental Health Care Plans for each client was done based on their needs, which are later approved by a visiting General Practitioner. To ensure that clients are effectively supported, care is given to those clients in accordance with their mental health care plans.

SUCCESS STORY A 40-year-old Aboriginal man was referred to AHMH last year. He was originally from Coober Pedy and has been diagnosed with anxiety, severe depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The client was also addicted to Alcohol and cannabis. Marco had an engagement with Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) Social Workers and AODs internally referred him to AHMH to follow up during the evenings and get him to see a psychiatrist and psychologist. The client had no insights into his mental health issues. AHMH workers started working closely with the client and were able to build a positive relationship. AHMH Workers had a discussion with the client about his mental wellbeing and figured out that he was hearing voices. Then the client was referred to the psychiatrist, who visits the Drug and Alcohol Centre every month after getting a referral from the GP. It was really hard to get him to meet a psychiatrist first, and he missed few appointments as well, but within a short time, AHMH workers were able to gain his trust and make him understand and believing the benefits of his health and wellbeing from seeing a psychiatrist. He agreed and attended to the sessions. Meanwhile, AHMH workers continued regular follow-ups, developed a 12-week session plan addressing client’s specific issues, and tracked the medication administration. The client got regular sessions with the DAS mental health team, is now coping well using the therapies and strategies, and has gained better insights about his condition.

How we dealt with challenges According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the proportion of Indigenous individuals experiencing ‘high or very high’ levels of psychological distress has risen from 27% to 31%. On top of that, 31% of Indigenous adults in non-remote regions (large cities and regional areas) and 28% in remote areas reported high levels of psychological distress in 2018-19 (ABS 2019). Furthermore, among Indigenous Australians in 2018, mental and drug use disorders were the major cause (23%) of total disease burden. These data give us a better picture of the importance of an accessible mental health service to the Aboriginal people in remote town like Coober Pedy. Umoona drug and alcohol centre was able to get constant visits from a psychiatrist and a psychologist over the past year and able to change

a set of negative and often unfair beliefs. The biggest issue facing AHMH at first was the stigma and misconceptions around seeking help from a psychiatrist or psychologist. As a prime example, clients declined the appointments, stating that “I will be labelled as crazy,” “I don’t want this appointment, they will call me mental,” and “I’m scared, if they find out they will say I’m mad”. They refused the appointment most the times. They feared being judged, criticised, laughed at or humiliated in front of others, even in everyday situations. Then AHMH workers approached the clientele in a culturally sensitive and community-cantered approach and always remembered that each Aboriginal community is unique.

about seeking mental health support. AHMH workers acknowledged the cultural values, beliefs, and practices of the Aboriginal community and increased one on one counselling and home visits and always delivered education and awareness by focusing on dispelling myths, providing accurate information about mental illnesses, and explaining the benefits of seeking support from mental health professionals.

As well as, acknowledged and respected the importance of traditional healing practices within the community. AHMH workers shared success stories of individuals who have successfully sought help and recovered to address the stigma related to mental health. Always, highlighted positive outcomes and emphasized that seeking support was a sign of strength, not a weakness.

Also, flexibility, patience, and a genuine commitment to understanding and supporting the community’s well-being is crucial for successfully changing misconceptions

Assured clients about DAS as an easily accessible safe place for them and requested Aboriginal health workers to provide initial guidance, share personal experiences, and offer emotional support. Used social work skill set on communication and developed active listening skills which was crucial for the therapeutic engagement. Building trust and changing misconceptions takes time. Therefore, managed to establish long-term relationships with the individuals, and consistently engaged with them by visiting them at home, following up in outreach and during community events. Used those opportunities to increase awareness about mental health. Further, sought support from external agencies and continued referral process with them. SAPOL always worked collaboratively with AHMH and Coober Pedy hospital used to send referrals to UTHSAC. This Collaborative work with other

existing services in the community helped to normalize seeking help for mental illness. Through it all, AHMH staff members increased attendance rates and significantly influenced the community. This Impactful change we have made as a team was effective for their mental wellbeing, and UTHSAC tried its best to provide this support to the community. SEWB Social worker and NIAS Social worker took the responsibility of assisting clients with the service, appointments and client follow ups for visiting mental health professionals (Dr. Heather Brownlee and Dr. Ana Tu) due to the recent loss of AHMH funding. They have been working collaboratively with external and internal stakeholders and trying to provide constant support, as previously, to the Aboriginal community in Coober Pedy. After losing the two after hours social workers positions for the new

financial year, the social workers team missed that after hours and weekends follow ups. And that service was useful for the clinic for their regular follow ups during the afterhours and Saturday too as they were working collaboratively for the follow ups. But still the mental health client follow ups, bookings and care plans are continuing by the SEWB, NIAS and AOD social workers. Now, most of the clients are happy to come and get support from psychiatrists and psychologist and counselling with SEWB Social worker, NIAS Social workers and AOD social workers for dual diagnoses. They feel secure enough to come alone and make appointments on their own time, which is a huge accomplishment for UTHSAC and for Aboriginal people in the Coober Pedy community. Chathuri Aberathna After Hours Mental Health Social Worker Harmanjot Kaur After Hours Mental Health Social Worker

Staff Statistics Staff Gender Female 30 Male 16

Last 12 months Recruitments

Separations

10 0

UTHSAC Staff Academic Qualifications Administration Staff •

Priscilla Larkins Chief Executive Officer Academic Qualifications • Post Graduate certificate in Remote Health Management • Post Grad certificate in Health (Diabetes Management and education) • Bachelor of Nursing • Certificate in Finance for the non-financial manager • Management Systems Auditing • Demystifying ISO 9001:2008 • Introduction to Public Health Practice and Research (Current) • Diploma in Leadership & Management (Current)

Diploma:Management

Chathuranga Dias Accountant / Accreditation Support Officer

Dilshan Perera Business Services Manager/ Accreditation Support Officer/ Company Secretary

• PRINCE 11 Practitioner (Diploma Equivalent):Project Management

Academic Qualifications

• Diploma of Practice Management

• Master of Business Administration

• Diploma of Human Resources Management

• Master of Business Administration (Current)

• Diploma of Business(Governance)

• Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)

• Master of Arts / International Relations (Human Rights and • International Law) • Post Grad Cert. in Human Resources Management • Post Grad Cert. in Health Services Management (Current) • Advanced

• Lead Auditor: ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015

Academic Qualifications

• Diploma in Accounting & Finance

Md Ashfaqul Islam IT & Communicare Support Officer Academic Qualifications • Masters of Networking • Bachelors of Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Nicole Perera IT Systems & Communicare Officer / Finance & Payroll Officer Academic Qualifications • Bachelor of Business (Current)

• CCNA & Cisco CyberOps (Completion)

• Diploma of Leadership and Management

Clinic Staff

Jayden Muller Admin Support Officer

Dhananjani Bandara Finance Officer

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce

• Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (Specialized in Accounting).

• Diploma of Business

• Certified Business Accountant, Sri Lanka.

Tanil Dehigaspitiya Facilities Officer

• Certificate in MYOB, XERO, QuickBooks, and Sage accounting system.

Arlene Ackland Clinic Manager

Shobhavie Kohombange Practice Manager

Academic Qualifications

• Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing) • Post graduate certificate Diabetes Management and Education • Post Graduate Certificate Mental Health Nursing • Postgraduate Certificate in Remote Health Management • Certificate IV in TAE

Academic Qualifications • MBBS [ Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of • Certificate II in Surgery] Hospitality • Post graduate diploma in • Certificate IV in Clinical Cosmetology Aboriginal Primary • Post graduate diploma Health Care on Pediatric Nutrition by • Certificate IV in Boston University school Aged Care of medicine • Certificate IV in Home and Community Care • Diploma of Management

• Certificate in Test and Tagging.

Sumeda Sampath Cleaner/ Driver

Lucy Mc Inerney H4L Coordinator Academic Qualifications • Bachelor of Nursing

Josie Warrior Remote Community Connector

Laura Larkins Assistant Practice Manager Academic Qualifications • Bachelor of Nursing (Current) • Diploma in Practice Management

Yusharni Perera Remote Community Cordinator Academic Qualifications • Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care • Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management (Current)

Damien Riessen Health Promotions Officer Academic Qualifications • Certificate III in Business Administration

Therasa Joseph Registered Nurse

Vindya Perera Medical Receptionist

Academic Qualifications

• Master of Science in Medical Surgical Nursing • Bachelor of Science in Nursing • Graduate Cert in Child and Family Health

• Diploma of early Childhood Education Care and leadership management

Academic Qualifications • Bachelor of Physics • Master of Business Administration • Diploma of Nursing

Iroshan Arangala Program Coordinator Academic Qualifications

Peter Tsakiridis Aboriginal Health Worker

Cynthia Dodd Aboriginal Health Worker

Academic Qualifications

• Cert 3 in primary health

• Master of Technology (Enterprise Systems and Business Analytics)

• Diploma in Pre SchoolTeacher Training

• Diploma of Business

• Advance Diploma of Community Sector Management

• Qualification in Human Resource Management

• Diploma of Practice Management (Current) Lamis Gomes Zara – Enrolled Nurse

Chamodi Jayasinghe Assistant IT Support Officer

• Professional

• Diploma in Practice Management & Leadership Management (Current)

Jonte Larkins Aboriginal Health Worker Academic Qualifications • Cert 3 in primary health

Joanne Williams Aboriginal Health Worker Academic Qualifications • Cert 3 in primary health

• Diploma of Community Services (Case Management)

Drug & Alcohol Services Staff

Misho Miller Aboriginal Health Worker

Aiden Ackland Aboriginal health Worker

Academic Qualifications

• Cert 3 in primary health

Zachary O’Reily Aboriginal health Worker

N’Ky Carbine Aboriginal health Worker

Patrick Larkins DAS Manager Academic Qualifications • Alcohol & Other Drugs. • Governance • Leadership & Management

Elaine O’Toole Aboriginal Health Worker Academic Qualifications • Cert 3 in primary health

Rameth Lebois Aboriginal health Worker

Christopher Tsakiridis Aboriginal health Worker

Kym Lebois Aboriginal health Worker

• Legal Studies / AOD (Current)

Thilina Rathnamalala Program Coordinator/ AOD Social worker Academic Qualifications • Bachelor in Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery • Diploma of community Services specialising in Case Management • Certificate IV in Mental Health (Currently studying) • Certificate III in aged care and Disability

Robert Hele Senior Aboriginal Health Worker Academic Qualifications • Certificate III ATSI Primary Health Care

Precella Sumner Senior Aboriginal Health Worker

Michael Liptsey After Hours Mental Health Worker

Academic Qualifications

• Certificate IV in counselling

• Certificate IV ATSI Primary Health Care (Currently Studying)

Koshani Yatawara – SEWB Social Worker Academic Qualifications

• Cert 3 in primary health

• Bachelors of Ayurveda Medicine & Surgery

• Cert 4 in primary health

• Masters of Social work, Graduate entry (Flinders University)

• Cert 3 community services

• Cert 4 in Mental Health

Chathuri Aberathna After Hours Mental Health Social Worker Academic Qualifications • Master of Social Work • Diploma of Counselling-AIBN • Cert IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs

Gnanika Chandrasena NIAS Social Worker Academic Qualifications • Master of Social Work (UNISA) • Bachelor of Nursing Science with Honours • Diploma in Nursing

• Diploma of Counselling (Currently Enrolled)

Padmini Rana AOD Social Worker Academic Qualifications • Master of Social Work • bio tech bachelor • Cert IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

Harmanjot Kaur After Hours Mental Health Social Worker

Leel Hasitha Assistant IT SUpport Officer

Peter Tsakiridis Aboriginal Health Worker

Darryl Braund Substance Misuse Worker (Dunjiba)

Academic Qualifications

• Masters of Social Work

• Bachelor of BA • Masters of IT

• Cert 3 in primary health

• Disability Work Cert. IV • Pastoral Care Cert. IV • Mental Health Cert. IV

All Statistics Clients Seen

Aboriginal Clients

Non Aboriginal Clients

Not Stated

DAS

10,373

10,222

147

Clinic

25,945

24,327

1,594

H4L

1,013

1,011

Clients By Age 0-4Y

1586

5-14Y

1783

15-24Y

3200

25-34Y

7339

35-44Y

7279

45-54Y

7218

55-64Y

6028

65-74Y

2552

75Y+

348 0

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000

Episodes of Care

37,368

Care Provided by ethnicity Aboriginal Females 21,040 Aboriginal Males 14,521

WHEN WE LISTEN, WE MAKE BETTER DECISIONS When governments listen to people, they achieve better outcomes and use funding more effectively.

The Voice: A straightforward idea to drive practical results 1. Recognising 65,000 years of Indigenous culture in Australia’s 122 year old constitution.

2. Listening and learning through the Voice - a diverse

group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who can provide advice to Parliament on matters that affect them.

3. Protecting the Voice in the Constitution so that it can’t be dismantled at the whim of changing governments

4. Agreeing that the current approach isn’t working; we need to change the status quo.

This idea has been decades in the making. The Indigenous community proposed it and over 80% of Indigenous people support it. Outcomes are better when Indigenous peoples are consulted about their communities' health, education, employment and housing policies.

Together, for a better future.

Protecting the Voice through the Constitution gives it the time and security it needs to start driving better outcomes, without risk of it being removed by politicians. The Voice provides advice on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It’s up to the Government to decide how / if they use that advice.