A monthly newsletter from the Youth Justice Steering Group to keep communities and agencies up to date with the implementation of the Youth Crime Action Plan. View this email in your browser

Kia ora koutou, Welcome to this bumper May edition of the YCAP newsletter. There is a lot going on in the youth justice space at the moment and we hope you are feeling energised rather than daunted! Many of you are working on drafting new community action plans at the moment - don't forget that you can be in touch at any time if you have queries or need help with anything. Here's what you will find in the newsletter this month: Future of Social Sector Trials and YOTs/YCAP groups Modernising Child, Youth and Family Statistics highlight: Education Counts Hutt Valley Youth Survey results 2015 Reducing the impact of alcohol on family violence Enabling families to adapt when faced with adversity Research: child lead exposure linked to aggressive crime later in life Government initiatives to tackle gang violence YouthLaw Aotearoa app

Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health

16 May 2016
Media Statement 
Access to mental health & addiction services

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says people are getting access to the mental health and addiction services they need.

“It’s important that people can access the mental health and addiction services they need within an appropriate timeframe,” says Dr Coleman.

“Mental health and addiction services across the country are responding to increased demand; a 21 per cent increase over the last five years.

“It’s encouraging to see that youth access to these services has improved, and adult access rates have remained steady despite increasing demand.”

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1605/S00281/access-to-mental-health-addiction-services.htm

National youth forensic mental health unit opens in Porirua

A $15.3 million national youth forensic mental health unit opened at Kenepuru Hospital last month.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/kapi-mana-news/79775812/National-youth-forensic-mental-health-unit-opens-in-Porirua

Kia ora FANNZ

A mixed bag of FASD news and opportunities for you from Aotearoa and beyond!

Aotearoa

Join the Conversation

Until 24^th May, you can help build a new disability strategy for New Zealand. Tell the Government Office for Disability Issues the most important things are for you and your whanau to live a good life. People can join the conversation by attending an event, holding a workshop, recording a video or filling out a survey. The Office of Disability Services will release a draft in August 2016.  http://jointheconversation.nz/

‘SAVE THE DATE’ notice for service provider FASD workshop

An FASD Informed Practice workshop is planned for Hamilton on Wed June 22^nd June.  This will be of interest to anyone working with vulnerable children and their families and caregivers.  A panui with details will follow shortly.

 

‘SAVE THE DATE’ notice for families living with FASD

A workshop for parents and caregivers of a child adolescent or adult with FASD (with or without a formal diagnosis) will be held in Wellington on Saturday 6^th August. Further details plus a travel scholarship opportunity will shortly be disseminated. 

Auckland FASD Caregiver Support Group

Venue: The FASD Centre 2nd Floor, YES Disability, 3 William Laurie Place, Albany, North Shore City, Auckland.

Wednesday 11th May 2016

Wednesday 8th June 2016

Wednesday 13th July 2016

Time: 7-9pm (no cost to attend)

The purpose of the group is to build connections between parents and caregivers by sharing our experiences, learning and expertise of supporting those living with FASD – with our without a formal diagnosis.  Madeleine Manning will be in attendance @ the May 2016 meeting to offer any support people might find useful. Madeleine is completing her Counselling Psychology registration through AUT as a placement intern with the FASD Centre Aotearoa. She completed her dissertation on families experiences of diagnosis, support and services - which gave her a good understanding of how FASD presents and some of the challenges faced by families.

For further information please contact:  Graham Smith  Ph. (09) 426 4458; Mob. (027) 458 8440;  Email ggnsmith@gmail.com

Inside Influence

Maori Television this month featured a Native Affairs programme highlighting the story of a Northland mum Talia and her issues with drugs and alcohol during her pregnancies.  Mother of 7, Talia discussed how drug and alcohol use was a normal part of everyday life during pregnancy with her first 5 children. Whilst she admits she has not had her children officially assessed for FASD, she says she has no doubts that her children from those pregnancies were definitely affected.  Talia has been attending the Tikanga Matua Parenting Programme, facilitated by Dale Johnson and Tania Henderson and run by the Far North REAP.  "We discuss openly the effects and harm that alcohol and other drugs have on the developing baby and its brain, and the potential behaviours that tamariki can display”, says Ms Henderson. “It is through these discussions that mums realise that the behaviours their tamariki are as a direct result of their alcohol or substance abuse during pregnancy. For some, even though they knew they shouldn't be drinking or drugging, they did not fully understand the effect their choices would have on their tamariki."

Watch the Native Affairs episode HERE – Talia’s story starts 8 minutes 40 seconds into the feature. (Source: Dave Hookway NDHB)

Medical bodies get behind FASD

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists have included recommendations for the prevention and treatment of FASD (chapter 8) in its just released Alcohol Policy. View the pdf document here

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International news

Government announces $10 million for FASD

The Commonweath Government of Australia announced in the 2016/17 Budget an additional $10.5 million over four years to address FASD in high risk remote and rural communities with a focus on prevention. Catch up on FARE’s summary of the Aussie Budget outcomes here

Why do women drink when pregnant

Increased awareness of FASD, has meant a woman's decision to consume alcohol during pregnancy has become highly stigmatized, and as a result, individual circumstances that surround their choice to drink are rarely explored or understood. "This is unfortunate before alcohol use in pregnancy is a highly complex issue, complicated by the fact that many women consume alcohol prior to finding out they are pregnant," says Sue Kobus, a research associate within NeuroDevNet's FASD Research Group. Kobus has produced a new video that addresses stigma through the lens of Colette Philcox, the birth mother of a boy with FASD whose partner coerced her into drinking with him when she was pregnant.

http://www.neurodevnet.ca/news/fasd-stigma-why-do-women-drink-when-pregnant

The Four Letters More Dangerous Than Zika

A current and topical conversation every country should be having!  (Source: NTI Upstream Spring 2016 Newsletter http://www.ntiupstream.com).

 

Europe FASD Conference

The European FASD Alliance is holding their 4th European Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders at the Royal Holloway University in London, England September 12-15, 2016. The conference will consist of a research symposium and an accredited Professional Training Day. Abstracts can be submitted by April 30, 2016.

New FASD Guidelines for USA Juvenile Justice

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges created a guide with input from juvenile and family court judges and experts from around the country to increase judicial awareness and knowledge of FASD, including their implications for court proceedings and case dispositions involving children and families affected by FASD; and, provide guidance on judicial leadership. The ultimate goal of the guide is to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities affected by FASD. [64 page PDF]

Scottish Newborns tested for alcohol exposure

Early results of a mums and newborn babies study conducted by the Princes Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow suggest up to 42 per cent of mothers consume some alcohol while pregnant, with around 15 per cent drinking more than one or two small glasses of wine a week. It found evidence of significant alcohol use in 44 per cent of the mothers who had used other substances as well as 23 per cent of a control group who had no addiction history, although the number of participants was small. When completing questionnaires all denied alcohol misuse in pregnancy.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14460210.Newborn_babies_tested_for_alcohol_while_in_hospital/

Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Factors Associated with Positive Outcomes and Contact with the Criminal Justice System
Currie et al, Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology,9 March 2016
Adults with FASD are at increased risk for contact with the criminal justice system (CJS). This study examines the services and supports experienced by a small group of adults with FASD living in rural and urban Ontario, and their contact with the CJS. Early diagnosis of FASD is associated with more positive outcomes including reduced amount of contact with the CJS likely due to the receipt of more supports throughout childhood and better understanding of FASD by family and caregivers.

Noho ora mai

Christine Rogan

Health Promotion Advisor and FASD Project Coordinator

Level 1, 27 Gillies Ave, Newmarket, Auckland

*: P.O. Box 99407, Newmarket, Auckland 1149

(: (09) 520 7037 I christine@ahw.org.nz

:: www.ahw.org.nz  www.fan.org.nz

Welcome to the Disability Connect e-bulletin for week beginning 3^rd May 2016. Click on the link below to access the e-bulletin and read about:

• Results of the Ministry of Health's NZ Health Strategy Survey
• Disability Connect Transition Expo 2^nd August 2016 - the progression from school to community life
• CLIMB Centre for Learning, Integration and Managing Behaviour provides support for children and teenagers diagnosed with Autism and other spectrum disorders
• National Carer Matching Service - NEW! Looking for workers? If you receive Disability Support Services funding you can set up a FREE account with MyCare to find people looking for work in your area
• Disability Connect AGM - Wednesday 17^th August, 6pm at Disability Connect, 3b Olive Road, Penrose- all welcome
• Numicon - promoting GEDDES software - new version of "Storymaker" - story writing and reading software that promotes language development for those with learning challenges
• GlowKids launching a Sensory Kindy - an Auckland based service providing assessment, advice, early childhood education and therapy for children
• Playgroup for preschoolers with ASD/Aspergers/ADHD and Siblings, every Wednesday during school term 12.30-2.30pm (BYO lunch) St Columbia Presbyterian Church, Pakuranga.  Playgroup and creche area
• Self expression Group: The dancing Soul - Saturdays 10.30-11.30am, St Heliers Community Centre Dance and Movement Therapy for kids with special needs
• Our e-bulletin includes links to interesting websites and articles about a wide range of disability issues - Open the e-bulletin to read more

 

e-bulletin 3 May 2016 PDF

 

Feel free to email any interesting news or upcoming events to Disability Connect and we will endeavour to include in our next e-bulletin due to go out the week beginning 16^th May 2016.

 

Lisa Martin
C.E.O.
Disability Connect
Parent & Family Resource Centre Inc. trading as Disability Connect
09 636 035109 636 0351
www.disabilityconnect.org.nz
Facebook - Twitter
CC21603 – is a registered charitable entity in terms of the Charities Act 2005.

Vision: Disabled people and their families are able to lead the lives they desire.
Mission: To empower disabled people and their families through leading social change.
Core Value:Respecting and supporting choice.

In this May 2016 issue: Message from Murray Edridge - Community Investment Community Investment Strategy Register now for RBA workshops Increasing the financial capability of vulnerable New Zealanders The workforce restriction and the Core Worker Exemption MSD Approvals Update Youth development update Upcoming youth events MyMSD puts clients in the driving seat We’ve improved the Work and Income website Child care services easier to find in the Family Services Directory Positive messages inspire young filmmakers at Māoriland Film Festival It’s not OK to say she was asking for it … Children’s Action Plan Changes to benefits and Childcare Assistance from April 2016

Quick links Investing in NZ’s Children and Their Families. - Final Report of the Expert Panel on Modernising Child, Youth and Family, released April 2016 Adult gang members and their children’s contact with MSD service lines - research to inform the Gang Action Plan to reduce the harms caused by adult gangs in NZ, March 2016 Salvation Army State of the Nation ‘Moving Targets’ Report, Feb 2016 How to amaze your funders with watertight evidence, Feb 2016 - video recording of a Community Research webinar More effective social services – report of the Productivity Commission, Sept 2015 It’s not Okay website It’s not Okay on Facebook It’s not Okay on Twitter SKIP website - Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents Children’s Action Plan website Family Services Directory The Family Services Directory is a searchable online database that lists information about family support organisations and the services they offer to support New Zealand families. Contact us For any comment, queries or to share your stories and events, please email: Community Investment Update

Emcare April Update I NZRC Conference The New Zealand Resuscitation Council conference was held earlier this month in Auckland. There are some major changes ahead for how the courses will be delivered, and there will be course specific manuals for the new courses. From the 1st July this year, the NZRC will no longer have Level 4, 5, 6 or 7 courses, but will have CORE Advanced, CORE Immediate or CORE Skills courses. We have included a photo from the conference showing how the current Levels translate. Good news for those of you that will be sitting the CORE Immediate course - there will be no 'scratch and win' test! For CORE Advanced, there will be a shorter exam than the one that we currently use. For both CORE Advanced and CORE Immediate, there will only be 7 ECG rhythms that will be tested. There was a lot of discussion about when testing should be performed, and it seems a majority were in favour of this being done outside of the course (either before or after the course). With no firm answer from the conference, we will wait to hear what we can offer. The NZRC have put a lot of thought (and time) into the changes, and it looks promising that this will make a nicer learning experience for all of us. The guidelines in New Zealand changed in January this year, and we have been teaching these changes on our courses. The main changes to be aware of are: ·         Compression rate has changed to 100 - 120 per minute ·         AEDs are now recommend to be used on all age ranges ·         Updated algorithms can be found on the Emcare website at http://www.emcare.co.nz/resources/resource-category-1 There was a fair amount of Twitter activity from the conference from @EmcareServices or you can search #Guidelines2016 for further information. Presentations from the conference have been made available online at http://confer.co.nz/nzrc2016/presentations-2/ Stay safe The team at Emcare - Saving Lives Made Simple

Hon Anne Tolley, Minister for Social Development, released the Final Report of the Expert Panel: Investing in New Zealand’s Children and their Families on 7th April 2016 .

See the Minister’s release on the Beehive website
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/radical-changes-child-protection-and-care

Read the Final Report of the Expert Panel: Investing in New Zealand’s Children and their Families and the Cabinet Papers accompanying the Final Report
http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/investing-in-children/index.html

Preventing Suicide: Guidance for emergency departments
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/preventing-suicide-guidance-emergency-departments

Emergency departments have an important role in caring for people who present as being at risk of suicide.

This guidance is aimed at improving the quality of care for people presenting to emergency departments at risk of suicide. The guidance includes clinical risk assessment and referral pathways, but also focuses on the nature of interactions between the person and clinicians involved in their care. This focus incorporates advice on culturally and age-appropriate interventions.

The guidance was developed by Te Pou o te Whakaaro Nui, with the assistance of an expert working group. It builds on (but does not replace) the 2003 Assessment and Management of People at Risk of Suicide guidelines developed by the New Zealand Guidelines Group and the Ministry of Health.

The development of the guidance arose from action 6.2 of the Ministry of Health’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2013-2016; to “improve the care of people presenting to emergency departments with self-harm injuries, and ensure there is appropriate follow-up after discharge”.

An evaluation of the reorientation of child and adolescent oral health services
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/evaluation-reorientation-child-and-adolescent-oral-health-services

Over the last eight years the Government has made a significant reinvestment in child and adolescent oral health services to create the Community Oral Health Service (COHS).

The Ministry commissioned the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) to undertake an evaluation of the reorientation of child and adolescent oral health services. The ESR evaluation had three aims:

• to determine the effectiveness of the reinvestment programme, including business case development and the implementation process
• to identify barriers and enablers associated with the reinvestment programme
• to make recommendations to support ongoing implementation.

Overall, the report is positive about the implementation of the reinvestment programme to date. It confirmed that the new model of care had resulted in improvements in the quality, experience and outcomes of oral health services. The evaluation report also made a number of recommendations to enhance the COHS.

Te Ohonga Ake: Determinants of health for Māori children and young people in New Zealand: Series Two
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/te-ohonga-ake-determinants-health-maori-children-and-young-people-new-zealand-series-two

This report, which focuses on the underlying determinants of health for Māori children and young people, aims to:

1. Provide a snapshot of progress in addressing many of the determinants of health including child poverty and living standards, housing, early childhood education, oral health, tobacco use, alcohol related harm, and children’s exposure to family violence.
2. Assist those working in the health sector to consider the roles other agencies play in influencing child and youth health outcomes related to these determinants.

In exploring the underlying determinant of health for Māori children and young people, each of the indicators in this year’s report has been assigned to one of four sections:

• The wider macroeconomic and policy context
• Socioeconomic and cultural determinants
• Risk and protective factors
• Health outcomes as determinants.