VADDA Conference 2006

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VADDA Conference 2006
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• Friday November 18th 2005
• Deakin University, Warrnambool Campus
• A conference for carers/family of people
  experiencing Mental Health issues in combination
  with Intellectual Disability, Substance Use or
  Acquired Brain Injury.

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Objectives of presentation

• Why? Purpose of a rural carers conference
• How? Key stages of development
• Demonstrate capacity to achieve quality outcomes
  within resource constraints
• Benefits of collaboration

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Why? Purpose of rural carer conference

• Carer feedback had identified the need for
  recognition and valuing of their role.
• Opportunity for carers to meet with others in
  similar circumstances
• Carers/Worker concern with regional service
  response
• Improve carer knowledge of their rights, options
  and available support
• Carer feedback on what they see as issues and
  priorities

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How? Key stages

• "Have an idea"!
• Socrates said, if a man would move the world he
  must first move himself.
• Gather like minded individuals.
• Engage managers of each respective agency
  commitment to support
• Planning
• Program, Venue, Promotion, Resources, Catering
• Clear,documented roles/responsibilities/timelines
• Regular meetings with correspondence signed off
  by each representative agency
• Evaluation framework

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COST cheap at twice the price!

• Income 7,500
• Grants
• DHS(DT and HP)
• Southwest Respite Network
• Francis Foundation
• WRAD
• Registrations
• In Kind Support
• Downtown Motel
• Wyeth Pty Ltd
• Maceys Bistro
• Warrnambool Holistic Health
• Carers and Consumers
• Involved Agencies

• Expenditure 7,450
• Venue 1550
• Catering 2800
• Refreshments 200
• Speakers 1500
• Advertising 400
• Printing 300
• Volunteers 350
• Show bags 250
• Misc. 100

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Outcomes

• Carer evaluation
• Being really listened to, recognised and
  respected
• Strategies for self care
• Self/system advocacy knowledge
• Information and education
• Presenter feedback
• Excellent program design, implementation and
  provision for personal requirements
• Recommendations for future education/support
  initiatives

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Conclusion

• Collaboration can work - outcome greater than
  the sum parts of individual contributions
• This is a beginning not an end for service system
  development
• Importance of self care and inclusion of carer
  needs in treatment planning
• Exposure of senior service management to carer
  issues