DoHA Comorbidity Initiative Funded Agencies

• Anglicare Improved Services Initiative

Anglicare Victoria - AGEnDAS provides community services to children, young people and families in Victoria. AGEnDAS (Anglicare Greater Eastern Drug and Alcohol Service) is just one of the services Anglicare Victoria provides in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.
The Improved Services Initiative capacity building grant will improve knowledge about mental health issues for staff working in AOD services as well as build capacity across the whole of agency, in particular Family Services; to effectively undertake early identification of comorbidity issues for better outcomes for the clients and to strengthen partnerships, linkages and networks with the mental health service sector.

Contact: Loretta Zeeck loretta.zeeck@anglicarevic.org.au

Website: Anglicare

• Banyule Community Health Improved Services Initiative

Banyule Community Health has employed a service development officer to facilitate a range of capacity building activities under the guidance of a steering committee made up of local service providers. Core elements of the project are a range of quality initiatives including staff training, enhancing service linkages and evaluation measures. It is envisaged the result will be a more accessible and effective service system for people with a dual diagnosis.

Contact: Simon Kroes simon.kroes@bchs.org.au

Website: Banyule Community Health

• Bass Coast Community Health Service Improved Services Initiative

Bass Coast Community Health Service provides a range of services including post withdrawal rehabilitation and associated support groups, drug counseling for all ages, rural outreach diversion workers, adult drug diversion, family support, recovery and supported accommodation program, needle & syringe exchange program and links to other community services and agencies with allied health and nursing services.
The Improved Services Grant will enable Bass Coast Drug & Alcohol services to increase staff knowledge and skills through competency based mental health training and develop tools to facilitate improvement to systems. Policies and procedures will be updated and resources extended for staff, clients and families.
The agency will build on and formalise existing relationships with local Mental Health Services, P.D.R.S.S and other support services in Gippsland.
Contact: Karen Graham K.Graham@bcchs.com.au

Website: Bass Coast Community Health Service

• Bendigo Community Health Service Improved Services Initiative

Bendigo Community Health Services ISG project aims to build workforce and organisational capacity to address the diagnosed and/or emerging mental health problems associated with substance user or prolonged exposure to those with alcohol and drug issues. Our project has a particular focus on:

• Family interventions, including elements of inter-generational drug use

• Early recognition of presenting mental health problems

• Adequate youth focused services (beyond counselling)

• Preventative measures -particularly in relation to children living in substance using families and those with co-existing mental health problems

By building local knowledge and improving service delivery within the A & D team, while at the same time building strong links with appropriate external agencies, we will influence the introduction of sustainable relationships and practice between the key service providers who work with clients with coexisting mental health and drug and alcohol problems.

Contact: Lisa Walklate lisawalklate@bhs.com.au

Website: Bendigo Community Health Service

• Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Service (SEADS) Improved Services Initiative

The Improved Services Initiative at SEADS, in conjunction with Bentleigh Bayside CHS, will provide capacity building to the staff of SEADS in relation to the identification, assessment and treatment of co-occurring AOD and mental health conditions. It will include a range of training and education sessions, with intervention tools developed to equip staff members to address the needs of clients experiencing comorbidity.
Quality improvement activities to enhance dual diagnosis capability will include a review of SEADS pamphlets, policies, procedures, position descriptions, and performance appraisals. The implementation of a Monthly Clinical Review System, performed by mental health specialists for dual diagnosis clients is a feature of the SEADS' initiative. Effective treatment pathways developed through SEADS' First Response, as well as referral pathways developed through partnerships with various stakeholder agencies is an integral part of the project.

Contact: Brad StolzGrobusch Brad.StolzGrobusch@southernhealth.org.au

Website: Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Service (SEADS)

• Buoyancy Foundation of Victoria Improved Services Initiative

The Buoyancy Foundation project focuses on three main areas

Training: To ensure that staff complete basic Dual Diagnosis accredited courses; and/ or complete qualifications including women's health, the mindfulness approach to stress management, psychotherapeutic training and art therapy.

Linkages: To establish linkages with mental health agencies, via screening, referral and provision of well-being programs for clients and staff.

Policies and procedures: All policies and procedures developed under this project will become part of the Buoyancy Quality Management system under ISO 9001-2000.

Contact: Dr Anthony Dare info@buoyancy.org.au

Website: Buoyancy Foundation of Victoria

• Inner East Community Health Centre Improved Services Initiative

The "Improved Services for People with Drug and Alcohol Problems and Mental Illness" Project at Inner East Community Health Service includes:
• Enhancement of staff capacity to respond to clients experiencing dual diagnosis incorporating the implementation of screening, assessment, treatment and referral processes

• Identification and assessment of client needs and service gaps

• Enhancement of the capacity for shared client care and effective communication between treating practitioners and agencies
• Improvement of organisational protocols and referral pathways between drug and alcohol, mental health and medical professionals.

Contact: Jane Moreton Jane.Moreton@iechs.org.au

Website: Inner East Community Health Centre

• ISIS Primary Care Improved Services Initiative

The ISIS Improved Service Initiative project will:

• Undertake an evaluation of available agency anecdotal and statistical data

• Collect information on the service via focus groups and interviews with counsellors, clients and key external agents, such as Mental Health Services and GP's
• Review the current service tools of screening, intake system, client engagement processes and care plans

• Benchmark current practice against 'best practice' models

The implementation of systems and practice changes will include the development and implementation of an Action Plan that includes the development of an annual review template, modifications to the service's assessment and practice tools, intensive staff training, together with skill development in effective counselling strategies.
Staff will receive regular group and peer supervision on their management of clients with co-occurring issues from a clinical supervisor to assist them in their work with people experiencing issues of comorbidity.
To further enhance potential client service outcomes, the ISIS Improved Service Initiative will initiate the development of close collaborative working relationships and partnerships with state funded Mental Health services, consistent with Federal and State government policy.

Contact: Andrea Andersen andrea.andersen@isispc.com.au

Website: ISIS Primary Care

• Jesuit Social Services Improved Services Initiative

Jesuit Social Services has a uniquely diverse mix of programs; some of these involve community development with newly settled migrants, mentoring, education & training, counselling suicide bereaved people, pre and post release support for young offenders and a dual diagnosis intensive counselling and outreach program.

Through the Improved Services Project, we plan to improve the skills of staff, encourage skill transfer between staff and programs, develop consistent access to secondary consultation, primary health and mental health services, improve data collection and evaluation and improve policies and procedures which relate to the identification, inclusion and responsiveness to young people with co morbid drug & alcohol and mental health problems.

Contact: Caroline Gillespie caroline.gillespie@jss.org.au

Linda Moran linda.moran@jss.org.au

Website: Jesuit Social Services

• Knox Community Health Service Inc Improved Services Initiative

The Improved Services Initiative has already brought great change at Knox Community Health Service (KCHS) with the appointment of a Project Officer and a Consultant Psychiatrist. In addition to the new appointments the 'Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug' (ATOD) team has also changed shape with a number of new staff being recruited to the team. Routine secondary consultation sessions with local Psychiatric Services have supported increased confidence for AOD team, greater understanding of AOD and MH sectors for both parties and excellent collaborative relationship with Psychiatric Services for the ATOD Team.
In terms of 'action' we were pleased to have the DDCAT baseline) audit completed in August 2008 this was followed by a literature review as a way of documenting the journey and process of change inherent within this project. Critical to the literature review is that the rationale underpinning decisions is recorded and can be assessed or reviewed at a later date. A further key feature of the Project Officer's early role was the development and implementation of a staff survey that focussed on all staff working with the various counselling teams working within KCHS. The survey aim was the assessment of skills, qualifications, professional development needs, therapeutic preferences and practice principles as well as knowledge concerning screening, assessment, and secondary consultation, referring clients and basic ATOD and Mental Health knowledge.
Training has been a focus within KCHS with the provision of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (a mindfulness based cognitive therapy) training offered to staff at an introductory & intermediate level. Training for the implementation of the Modified MINI Screening Tool was delivered in late November 2008 along with training to use the newly revised Eastern Health Risk Assessment Tool.
More recently, we have reviewed the current status and KCHS policy relating to Consumer Participation. This has led to a thorough reworking of our current standing around consumer participation and a series of recommendations, which it is envisaged, will lead to some exciting changes in this area. Finally, the work on reviewing policies and procedures, combined with our attendance at the policy and procedure working group will provide clarity and assistance with the changes that will flow through to benefit KCHS and the community we service.

Contact: Jenni Thompson Jenni.Thompson@kchs.org.au

Website: Knox Community Health Service Inc

• MonashLink Community Health Service Improved Services Initiative

MonashLink Community Health Service plans to use its Capacity Building Grant to bring about an organisation-wide approach to improve its services for clients with co-occurring disorder. Our Drug and Alcohol Counseling Service is part of the Eastern Drug and Alcohol Service (EDAS), a consortium between three community health Services in the Eastern Region of Melbourne, along with the Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) and the Inner East Community Health Service.

MonashLink is located in the southeastern region and covers a sizeable catchment area of Eastern Health (central east), and a smaller but strategically positioned area of Southern Health (mainly the suburbs of Oakleigh and Clayton); hence, the project needs to develop partnerships with both regional health services.

Unlike some other community health services in Melbourne, we are a stand-alone agency without a co-located medical service. As such, one of our priorities is to develop sustainable partnerships with primary health care providers, specifically the General Practice Divisions in our area.

Contact: Maria Yap myap@monashlink.org.au

Website: MonashLink Community Health Service

• Odyssey House Victoria Improved Services Initiative

Odyssey House Victoria provides a range of residential and non-residential drug treatment services including a therapeutic community, counselling, training, supported accommodation, employment and outreach programs in rural and metropolitan locations across Victoria including specialised services for children, youth and families. The Capacity Building Grant will assist us to expand our dual diagnosis capacity by:

• Increasing relevant staff professional development and supervision

• Improving screening processes and client care pathways

• Enhancing our website

• Updating policies and procedures to reflect dual diagnosis

• Developing a new client database

• Mapping existing networks, building and formalising relationships

• Eliciting increased stakeholder feedback

• Extending client and family resources

• Conducting annual capacity audits

• Augmenting Odyssey's QA system

Contact: Caroline Long clong@odyssey.org.au

Website: Odyssey House Victoria

• Open Family Improved Services Initiative

Open Family will develop and implement policy and procedures to reflect and determine assisting clients who present with comorbid issues. Individual training packages will be developed for staff to enhance their skills and direct best practice in working with comorbid clients. Open Family will also strengthening its partnerships with Mental Health services and the local division of General Practice. Common referral pathways between these services will be established.
Open Family will maintain its involvement with the Improved Services Initiative Project at Upper Hume Community Health Service and strengthen this partnership, working jointly with Upper Hume in its training and forums.

Contact: Jen Walker JWalker@openfamily.com.au

Website: Open Family

• Ovens and King Community Health Service Improved Services Initiative

Ovens & King Community Health Service initiated "Paving the Way - No Wrong Door project" in 2005 in response to the challenges of building sustainable relationships across the service sector.

Building agencies to be "dual diagnosis capable" and improving the service system experience for the client, will ultimately build the vision required to make the concept of 'no wrong door' a reality. In October 2006, thirteen agencies in the Central Hume PCP region launched the document and became signatories to the protocol.

The Improved Services Initiative funding will assist in further refining and expanding the "No Wrong Door" protocol to extend across the entire Hume health region. This will ensure all specialists AOD NGO services have effective partnerships between other key providers and agreed mechanisms in places that support integrated assessment, treatment and care. The project will support services in each sector to develop collaborative practice arrangements and incorporate models and mechanisms for collaborative opportunities in education and training provision. Other NGO AOD agencies have expressed interest in participating and linking to the protocol. Further, local area mental health services and state services have nominated their support for the protocol and provision of training and secondary consultation to the sector.

Contact: Renee Williams williamsr@ovensandking.org.au

Website: Ovens and King Community Health Service

• Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program (PenDAP) Improved Services Initiative

Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program (PenDAP) is the primary drug and alcohol service in the Mornington Peninsula region. The Improved Services Grant will enable PenDAP to provide holistic services for consumers who experience both a mental health and drug or alcohol issue.

Planned Activities:
• The formalising of existing relationships with Peninsula Mental Health Services and Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services.
• Staff will be encouraged and supported to increase their knowledge and skills with formal education opportunities, reciprocal support from mental health services and employment of a psychiatrist.
• The expansion of Consumer Advisory Group (CAGs) relationships to ensure collaborative service development and evaluation.

Contact: Jennifer Collins jcollins@phcn.vic.gov.au

Website: Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program (PenDAP)

• Plenty Valley Community Health Centre Improved Services Initiative

The training project model will seek to provide a clinical rotation placement for clinicians from participating agencies from Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Services. The placement will be located at each participant service site across the municipalities of Whittlesea and Darebin.
The clinicians will undertake the establishment, promotion and maintenance of the program within the respective agencies, as well as securing the development of evaluation protocols.
The initiative involves the establishment of a Steering Committee to guide and support the project's deliverables, learning's, protocols and all required resultant business systems.

Contact: Eugenia Castro Eugenia.Castro@pvch.org.au

Website: Plenty Valley Community Health Centre

• Reconnexion Improved Services Initiative

Reconnexion is a statewide not-for-profit, non-government organisation that specialises in the provision of evidence-based psychological counselling (Cognitive Behaviour Treatment) and information support for:

• tranquiliser (benzodiazepine) use

• panic, anxiety and depression

Complementary programs to our counselling service include:

• A volunteer information and support line.

• Therapy Group programs including: Social Phobia, Meditation, Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy, Body Matters (a focus on women, food and body image)
Reconnexion services are available to all age groups; the main office is based in Glen Iris and satellite services operate in Northcote, Footscray and Melton.
The Improved Services Initiative capacity building grant will:
• Further develop staff knowledge and training in comorbidity identification and management
• Develop sustainable partnerships with Primary Care Partnerships and build upon referral pathways

• Extend access to secondary consultations

• Investigate and implement screening and assessment tools

• Develop a new data base that incorporates information specific to dual diagnosis
• Develop policies and procedures that incorporate the management of dual diagnosis clients

Contact: Laurence Hennessy Laurence@reconnexion.org.au

Website: Reconnexion

• SHARC APSU Improved Services Initiative

SHARC (Self Help Addiction Resource Centre) is a peer-based organisation. Our mission is to provide opportunities for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction and related problems to achieve meaningful, satisfying and contributing lives. SHARC's objectives in its implementation of the Improved Service Initiative project include:
SHARC's objectives in its implementation of the Improved Service Initiative project include:

• Adaption of its Recovery Support Service Recreation Plan

• Development of the FIT Peer Model to work with this target group

• Development of modules will be developed for the Action Recovery Course for families impacted by these co-occurring conditions
• Development of manuals to reflect these models and make them available for use by other Victorian AOD and mental health services
• Share knowledge of mechanisms and training specifically around service user and carer participation

• Assessment and provision of training to staff that enhances service delivery

The peer model at SHARC comprises the following elements:
• Peer Helper Training Project is 40 hours of training that helps another person, new to recovery or just embarking upon a transition with their drug usage and stabilising their mental health
• Experts by Experience Workshops are four workshops designed to develop the necessary skills to participate in governance and/or policy development
• Speaker Bureau is a database listing service users by region who are interested in engaging in meetings, forums or the delivery of presentations and linking them into requests made to SHARC for such services.
At SHARC, we help people help themselves, help each other and demonstrate the living proof that recovery and change is possible.

Contact: Rosemary Coulter RCoulter@sharc.org.au

Website: SHARC APSU

• Taskforce Improved Services Initiative

Taskforce has recruited a coordinator who is appraising our agency in relation to comorbidity capacity building. We have gauged the training requirements for staff and our team is to participate in a COMPASS audit. Current systems have been reviewed to begin the task of modifying screening and assessment tools. We have established the specialist mental health tools we will use to inform
our practice including case reviewing and conferencing.

A training calendar has been set and will commence in the near future, as will the comorbidity specific staff supervision.

Establishment of a project advisory committee is in progress and will contribute to research and strengthen collaborative partnership linkages.

We are exploring implementing a comorbidity client group, running training sessions for our extended staff, developing our evaluation framework, collating data for research and attending some relevant seminars.

Contact: Iren Citler irenc@taskforce.org.au

Website: Taskforce

• Turning Point Improved Services Initiative

The primary task undertaken by Turning Point will be the development of a comorbidity training program for clinical staff in three distinct settings, clinical services, helpline/online clinical services, and the specialist DACAS (Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service advisory service.
The training will be tailored to current skill level and incorporate a combination of accredited and non-accredited training as appropriate. A clinical resource to assist clinicians to respond to challenging and disruptive behaviour will be developed, as well as a clinical outcomes monitoring system to inform service planning and strengthen the evidence based approach to service provision.

Contact: Kieran Connolly KieranC@turningpoint.org.au

Website: Turning Point

• UnitingCare Moreland Hall Improved Services Initiative

Through the Improved Services Initiative project, Moreland Hall will improve its screening processes and extend the use of the K10 agency wide. We will be providing competency based mental health training for all our clinical staff. The staff undertaking the nationally recognised competencies will receive ongoing supervision and mentoring from a dual diagnosis clinician employed by Moreland Hall.

The agency also intends to extend the range of services that it offers to clients experiencing anxiety and depression and will develop formal and informal partnerships as well as referral networks with relevant services.

Contact: Peter Eide peide@morelandhall.org

Website: UnitingCare Moreland Hall

• Upper Hume Community Health Service Improved Services Initiative

This project is a partnership with Upper Hume Community Health Service being the lead agency. Members of the Eastern Hume Dual Diagnosis Group consist of managers and senior clinicians from Drug Treatment Services, Clinical Mental Health Services and Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services in North East Victoria.

The aim of the group is to provide leadership, coordination and support to the regional implementation of the Service Development Outcomes contained in the Dual Diagnosis: Key directions for service development policy.

Contact: Darren Bate dbate@uhchs.vic.gov.au

Website: Upper Hume Community Health Service

• WRAD (Western Region Alcohol & Drug) Improved Services Initiative

WRAD's (Western Region Alcohol and Drug Service) Improved Services Initiative project aims to provide rural leadership that fosters dual diagnosis innovation.
WRAD has identified the following strategies to meet this goal:
1. Provision of training to clinicians to become dual diagnosis capable
2. Integration of training between Alcohol and Drug and Mental Health Services
3. Provision of dual diagnosis screening, assessment and specialised group therapy
4. Development of integrated referral pathways with service partners
5. Improved data collection and internal client file systems
6. Development of strategies to involve consumers and carers.

Contact: Geoff Soma geoffs@wrad.org.au

Website: WRAD (Western Region Alcohol & Drug)

• Western Region Health Centre Improved Services Initiative

Health Works, a program of the Western Region Health Centre, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people who inject drugs in the western suburbs of Melbourne. The service provides a range of programs including: a needle and syringe program, a drug safety worker, health care team, as well as community education in harm reduction that includes the Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese communities.
The Improved Services Initiative Project will focus on improving the capacity of Health Works to meet the needs of drug injecting client group and enable better access to mental health services.
Health Works will address the reluctance of professionals to offer treatment to people who inject drugs, and the need of coordination between services for drug users and mainstream health services. The Health Works project will set training and systems in place to make specialised services more responsive to the drug using community.
The Health Works project will promote some assisted self-help for issues such as depression and stress related mental health problems. The Project will work with the Health Works Health Care Team to create an environment in which service users can safely report mental health problems, and be provided with advice, support and assistance to obtain treatment where that is sought.

Contact: Chris Duffy chrisd@wrhc.com.au

Website: Western Region Health Centre

• Windana Improved Services Initiative

Windana Drug and Alcohol Recovery offers a range of services across Victoria including; adult and youth withdrawal, outreach support in collaboration with Sacred Heart Mission and Berry Street Victoria, a day program, counselling programs, complementary healthcare, peer support, supported accommodation, family services and a therapeutic community.
The Improved Services Initiative Project will improve Windana's capability in assisting clients with co-occurring mental health and alcohol and drug issues, through more integrated client pathways and better linkages with mental health service providers. Staff training, secondary consultation and systems development will be undertaken, involving the introduction and use of a screening tool, more detailed assessment and integrated treatment care plans for clients. Data will be collected, analysed and used for evaluating and developing policies, procedures and services for people who experience drug and alcohol and mental health issues.

Contact: Gary Stucky Gary.Stucky@windana.org.au

Website: Windana

• Youth Projects - Living Room Primary Health Service Improved Services Initiative

Youth Projects Primary Health Service, The Living Room, received funding in June 2008 from the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) for a three year project, for "Improved Services for People with Drug and Alcohol Problems and Mental Illness".
The project aims to improve the management of clients experiencing co-morbidity and provide support to other social welfare organisations within the Inner Western Region and CBD of Melbourne.
The project has number of activities planned, that includes:
• Promote awareness and understanding of co-morbidity among Living Room and other organisations in the CBD and Inner West
• Enhance cross-sectoral support and partnerships between key agencies in the region, such as Doutta Gala, Royal District Nursing Services-Homeless Persons Program, GPs, and other community support agencies to enhance service coordination and continuum of care for clients
• Develop and deliver regular and flexible training sessions for Youth Projects and other agencies in the region; establishing a Certificate IV and Diploma in Alcohol and Other Drug/Mental Health and Dual Diagnosis for Living Room and organisations in the region through a scholarship process
A Reference Group will guide the progress of the Youth Projects Improved Services Initiative.

Contact: Michelle Ridley MichelleR@youthprojects.net

Website: Youth Projects - Living Room Primary Health Service

• YSAS (Youth Substance Abuse Service) Improved Services Initiative

YSAS provides works with young people (12-21years) who experience significant problems with drug and alcohol issues. The service provides a range of youth specific interventions including outreach, withdrawal, residential rehabilitation, day programs and supported accommodation in a number of locations across Victoria.

The improved services capacity building grant will be used to strengthen the YSAS model of holistic and integrative interventions in the health and well-being of young people affected by the use of Alcohol and other drugs.

The project aims to strengthen workforce development by providing comprehensive staff training and secondary consultation in co morbidity identification and management, increasing and improving referral pathways and by documenting and disseminating findings related to best practice co morbidity service provision for adolescents.

Contact: Constance Karametos ckarametos@ysas.org.au

Website: YSAS (Youth Substance Abuse Service)