• Stay informed, keep our mob safe
• HAPEE initiative improves ear health
• Playgroup story telling campaign
• Victorian COVID-19 contact tracers overwhelmed
• Chronic Conditions in Aged Care Online Module released
• Job Alert

Stay informed, keep our mob safe

In terms of COVID-19 things are changing quickly and it’s important to stay informed. The Australian Government’s Department of Health has released an electronic newsletter update to provide key information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households, communities and organisations.

To view the newsletter click here.

HAPEE initiative improves ear health

Hearing Australia is working with regional, rural and remote communities across Australia to address the high rates of hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Hearing Australia’s ‘Hearing Assessment Program – Early Ears’ or HAPEE has conducted more than 2,100 diagnostic hearing assessments in 76 communities since it began 12 months ago. With $30 million in funding from the Australian Government, the HAPEE program aims to reduce the long-term effects of ear disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, who have significantly higher rates of hearing loss than non-Indigenous Australian children, most commonly due to middle-ear infection, otitis media. The program focuses on young children who are not yet enrolled in primary school.

“It is essential that we identify hearing loss early on, especially between ages 0–3 when a child’s listening and language skills are developing rapidly,” Hearing Australia HAPEE Manager Michele Clapin said.

To read the full article click here.

Playgroup Australia launches story-telling campaign

Playgroup Australia is inviting you to tell them about your experience with playgroups by participating in their Playgroup Stories Campaign. This campaign is designed to build the evidence about the value of playgroups through collecting stories from playgroup providers and participants. Your input will help researchers understand the impact, benefits and opportunities playgroups have in the lives of children, parents, caregivers and broader communities across Australia.

To participate in the Playgroup Stories Campaign click here.

Image sources: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day website and Early Years Count website.

Victorian COVID-19 contact tracers overwhelmed

During an interview on Weekend Today with Richard Wilkins, AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, explained that once you get to hundreds of COVID-19 cases per day it becomes impossible for contact tracers to keep up. Dr Khorshid said it is essential Victoria remain in lockdown until daily case numbers significantly decrease and for people to install the COVID-19 app, which helps contact tracers do their job.

To read the transcript of the interview click here.

Image source: The Conversation.

Chronic Conditions in Community Aged Care online module released

1 in 2 Australians have at least one chronic condition and 1 in 4 have two or more chronic conditions. The incidence of chronic conditions is even higher in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. CDMPlus have released a new Chronic Conditions in Community and Aged Care Online Module. It has been developed for care workers in community and aged care settings to increase understanding of chronic conditions and how to better support clients.

For more details click here.

Image source: UnitingCare Queensland.

Yerin Aboriginal Health Service – NSW

1 x Female Drug and Alcohol Youth Worker

Yerin Aboriginal Health Service has a vacancy for a Female Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Youth Worker to enhance the wellbeing of young people on the NSW Central Coast by working with the community and service providers to develop approaches and strategies that engage and meet the needs of high risk vulnerable young people aged 12–24 years.

To view the position statement click here.