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Table of Contents
NGO Council information 2
NGO Council Update from Chair – February 2015 2
Personal Health Representatives on the NGO Council 3
Ministry of Health information 3
Calling for health volunteer nominations 3
Medsafe recall notice 3
Alcohol consumption in New Zealand 3
Disability Support Services February e-Newsletter 3
Ministry of Health website: http://www.health.govt.nz/home 3
Other government agencies 3
Children's Action Plan Update 3
Mentoring At Risk Youth Seminar 3
NGO information 3
New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services 3
Places to find NGO information 3
Training, education, resources and conferences 3
LEADR & IAMA 5 day mediation workshop – Scholarship opportunity 3
Good Governance workshops 3
Careerforce - changes in New Zealand qualifications 3
Early bird rates end 1 April for Fundraising Conference 3
Our Place - A joint conference hosted by Inclusive NZ, Inspiring Communities and Be.Institute 3
Ko Awatea Workshops 3
Events included in previous updates 3
Consultation, surveys and submissions 3
Department of Internal Affairs - Proposed changes to gambling fees 3
The Social Housing Reform Programme 3
Other information 3
New Reporting Standards for Charities 3
NGO Council information
NGO Council Update from Chair – February 2015
The first NGO Council meeting of 2015 was a busy one with many guests from the Ministry of Health coming to engage with us and exchange ideas.
I was heartened by the alignment of views from your elected NGO sector representatives and our Ministry visitors – with much agreement on which issues need to be worked on and similarities in ideas about how we might make progress.
Cross government approach
Acting Director-General of Health, Chai Chuah brought us up-to-date on the new Health Minister’s priorities, some of which are highlighted in his Letter of Expectations to DHBs. It was good to see a shift towards thinking more broadly across government in order to achieve outcomes, such as looking at wider determinants of health such as housing, social issues and physical activity – a clear connection to the Health Minister’s other portfolio of Sport and Recreation.
If your NGO is working on specific health issues, it may be useful to know whether the Minister or an Associate Minister is responsible for these – this list is publicly available on pages 10 and 11 of this document on the DPMC website.
The Director of Health Workforce NZ, Graeme Benny was very receptive to our views and ideas too and highlighted the key role that primary and community providers will play in our future healthcare. His team are looking 20 years ahead to the needs of the whole health sector and have broadened the scope of HWNZ’s planning beyond clinicians to include allied health workers and care and support staff. There was significant agreement that working in siloes will not work and that a community response needs the involvement of all. We were also reminded as NGOs to maximise opportunities for training of our own workforces – ensuring that we access funding through channels such as Te Pou or through MoUs with our local DHBs, which can enable our staff to participate in DHB-run training.
Approved Information Sharing Agreement for Vulnerable Children
Doug Gorman and Jane Dugdale from the Children’s Action Plan team talked with us about the Approved Information Sharing Agreement (AISA) and the role of representative parties. While there are potential challenges in signing up to and managing this process, the benefit for non-profit providers that sign up to the AISA is that they will be able to access information held by government, with the appropriate consents of course. The AISA is likely to be introduced gradually so if your NGO is working in a region where a Children’s Team is being set up, be sure to explore the potential benefits of being party to the AISA if you are working with vulnerable children and their families.
Financial matters
We heard again from Adrienne Percy who is leading the work on Streamlined Contracting for the Ministry of Health. The new contracting approach aims to improve the outcomes achieved for people and is part of the government’s response to our sector’s long-term call to improve the way it works with NGOs. The latest changes will initially affect disability support service and public health contracts that are due to be renewed on 1 July this year. The Ministry is working through this process with various groups and providers and will be putting out more information soon. If you are not already familiar with the Results Based Accountability Framework, I encourage you to check out the online training and information on the MBIE website so you have a basis for your discussions with the Ministry.
While there were many positives discussed in our NGO Council meeting, we were also conscious of three areas of insidious costs, with potential to have a significant negative impact on non-profit health and disability providers. These are:
· Health and safety legislation changes
· Proposed charging for Police checks
· Changes to the fire regulations for residential services
While the motives for these changes may be well-intentioned, our sector cannot simply absorb these additional demands on our time and finances without support from government or targeted exemptions for community services. We will continue to keep a watching brief on these changes and raise concerns, as we hope you will also. One quick way to do this is through the current petition on the Police Check fees.
Workshops on Accounting Standards & Good Governance
If your NGO has annual expenses under $2m (Tier 3) or annual operating expenses under $125,000 (Tier 4), be sure to register for one of the upcoming free seminars on the New Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profits/Charities – go to the Charities Services website for details on the workshops running from March through June this year.
The NGO Council will also be running further Good Governance workshops during this time in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and the central North Island – more information is in the Training section of this newsletter.
Until next time, Mauri Ora.
Donna Matahaere-Atariki
Chair, NGO Health & Disability Council
Personal Health Representatives on the NGO Council
The NGO Council is made up of elected representatives from across the health and disability sector. The two Personal Health representatives are Kathryn Jones and Sarah Mulcahy. To contact Kathryn and Sarah about NGO Council matters, please email the NGO Council Secretariat.
Kathryn Jones
Organisation: Chief Executive Officer, The Laura Fergusson Trust Canterbury
Kathryn is currently the Chief Executive for the Laura Fergusson Trust Canterbury, which provides long-term residential support, residential and community-based rehabilitation for people with traumatic brain injury. Kathryn has extensive experience in the health and disability sector in New Zealand, having worked in general management and national business development roles. This involved working across 16 district health boards, the Ministry of Health and the Accident Compensation Corporation. She has been responsible for long-term strategic planning in relation to community care services for older people and adults with disabilities for many years, both in New Zealand and the UK, and has credibility within the New Zealand community, primary and secondary health care sector.
Kathryn’s background also includes membership of a number of sector representative groups at a national level including:
· Executive Committee member of the New Zealand Home Health Association
· Member of the former Canterbury District Health Board Quality and Patient Safety Council
· Member of the Canterbury Clinical Network reference groups
· Former member of expert working groups for the Central Region District Health Boards Clinical Services planning.
Kathryn held the role of Chair of the NGO Council from 2012-2014.
Kathryn is passionate about the development of a ‘whole of system’ approach for people accessing health and disability services, and believes that this is possible through NGOs’ influence at both policy development and operational levels. She firmly believes that in order to effect change and ensure an outcome-focused system-wide approach; NGO providers within the sector must be enabled through building their capacity and capability to take action.
Sarah Mulcahy
Area Manager Hawkes Bay, Gisborne & Wairoa, Royal NZ Plunket Society Inc.
Sarah is currently a Service Delivery Manager with Royal NZ Plunket Society and is based in Hawkes Bay. Sarah hopes to positively contribute to the delivery of the Council’s work plan over the coming years with a focus on improving outcomes for children and families.
Sarah is a Registered Comprehensive Nurse who after a period working at Kenepuru Hospital in Porirua, left Aotearoa for the UK and what was to become an OE lasting 16 years. Sarah was fortunate to have the opportunity to work clinically at a number of London’s teaching hospitals before moving in to health service management, completing several postgraduate courses and an MBA.
Throughout her time in the UK, Sarah travelled extensively through Africa, Europe, South America and Asia and worked as a volunteer with several charity-run programmes.
Once back in NZ, Sarah had a brief spell with ACC before joining the team at Hawkes Bay PHO. She spent six years with the organisation within a health promotion and quality improvement management role and a period as Acting Chief Executive during the amalgamation of three PHOs to form Health Hawkes Bay.
Ministry of Health information
Calling for health volunteer nominations
Nominations are open for the 2015 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards which recognise individuals and teams of volunteers who demonstrate outstanding dedication and commitment to health services in New Zealand.
We want to seek out and honour the incredible contributions of individuals, organisations and community groups who inspire us with their care, dedication and hard work through volunteering within New Zealand's health and disability sector. The Awards help recognise health volunteers who make a difference to other New Zealanders every day. Nominations are open until 31 March 2015.
Nominate someone today. Visit: www.volunteerawards.health.govt.nz
Medsafe recall notice
Medsafe has published a recall notice regarding Invacare Power Wheelchair Joysticks and Invacare SPJ+ Joysticks and Invacare MK6i Driver Controls. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/hot/RecallActionNoticesNew/15257 . There is also further information on the Invacare New Zealand website: http://www.invacare.co.nz/index.cfm/1,301,0,33,html/Product-Recall
Alcohol consumption in New Zealand
Alcohol is the most commonly used recreational psychoactive substance in New Zealand. Although most New Zealanders drink alcohol in moderation, some do not, and misuse it. Alcohol Use 2012/13 provides valuable information about patterns of alcohol consumption, alcohol use by pregnant women, and alcohol availability and use. Along with the report, an infographic presents a quick way of reviewing key findings and online datasets provide full statistical outputs.
See: www.health.govt.nz/publication/alcohol-use-2012-13-new-zealand-health-survey
Disability Support Services February e-Newsletter
Follow this link to the latest Disability Support Services e-newsletter.
Ministry of Health website: http://www.health.govt.nz/home
For more information about the Ministry’s structure and business units go to Ministry business units.
Other government agencies
Children's Action Plan Update
For information about the Children’s Action Plan direction and progress: click here
If you have any comments or questions for the Children's Action Plan team, want to join Chatter (a closed online community for information sharing and dialogue) or want to join their mailing list for future newsletters and updates, please contact them at .
Mentoring At Risk Youth Seminar
Thursday 19 March 2015, 1pm – 3.30pm.
The presentation starts at 1.30, however, please arrive at 1.00pm to allow time to make your way through the normal Parliamentary security processes.
The Theatrette, Ground floor, Parliament Buildings, Molesworth Street, Wellington
University of Auckland distinguished visitor Professor Toni Zimmerman, from the University of Colorado will be presenting a free seminar in Wellington on Mentoring At Risk Youth. The Honourable Nikki Kaye, Minister for Youth is kindly hosting Professor Zimmerman’s presentation.
Register now (limited places): http://profzimmermanwellington.eventbrite.co.nz
NGO information
New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services
Latest newsletters Kete Kupe and Policy Watch - http://www.nzccss.org.nz/site/home.php#
Places to find NGO information
Community Research http://www.communityresearch.org.nz/
Consumers Voice http://consumersvoicenz.com/about/
Volunteering NZ www.volunteernow.org.nz
Training, education, resources and conferences
LEADR & IAMA 5 day mediation workshop – Scholarship opportunity
Are you:
· Passionate about alternative dispute resolution in New Zealand?
· Interested in becoming a qualified mediator?
· Currently studying, recently graduated or working in the NGO/not-for-profit sector?
The LEADR & IAMA Scholarship provides for up to three New Zealand students, recent graduates or workers in the not-for-profit/NGO sector to attend the LEADR & IAMA 5 day mediation workshop valued at $3,410 (inc gst). The workshop introduces participants to the theory and practical skills of mediation. It is an intensive and practical workshop for students and professionals in a wide range of disciplines, including law, social work, human resources and commerce.
Closing date for applications: 27 March 2015
Contact for further information and application form:
Website: www.leadriama.org
Good Governance workshops
The NGO Health & Disability Network is running more of the popular ‘Good Governance’ workshops for small/medium non-profit NGOs in April and May. The Good Governance workshops help volunteer Board members increase their understanding of ‘good governance’ for not-for-profit organisations and evaluate the effectiveness of their Board.
Topics covered include:
· Governance and management defined
· Board members – roles, rights and responsibilities
· Key functions of the Board
· How Boards can add value
· Challenges, pitfalls and dilemmas for Boards
· Board – staff relations
· Effective meetings
The ‘Good Governance’ workshops are free for non-profit health and disability providers, as part of the NGO Council’s strategy to improve sector capability.
The workshops run from 9:00am to 4:30pm and a light lunch is provided.
They are scheduled as follows:
· Auckland – Thursday 9 April 2015 – book here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MZM3NJN (filling fast)
· Christchurch – Saturday 11 April 2015 – book here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L8VH5QH
· Wellington – Wednesday 27 May 2015 – book here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5K3H8F8