Welcome to Disability, Housing and Community Services

The ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services has responsibility for a wide range of human services functions in the ACT, including multicultural affairs, community services, older people, women, public and community housing services and policy, children, youth and family support services and policy, disability policy and services, therapy services, Child and Family Centres, the ACT Government Concessions Program, homelessness, community engagement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, and community disaster recovery.

What's New ...

For a comprehensive list of DHCS Publications please visit DHCS Publications.

Portable Long Service Leave Scheme for the ACT Community Sector

In 2008 the ACT Government committed to introducing a Portable Long Service Leave Scheme for the ACT Community Sector by June 2010. The Scheme will allow for community sector workers to transfer long service leave entitlements as they change employers within the sector. It is anticipated that the community sector scheme will increase retention of workers in the community sector.

The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engaged Urbis to undertake a consultation process with the community sector and DeeDeeRa Actuaries to undertake an Actuarial Study on the ACT Community Sector. These reports will inform the attributes and scope of the Scheme. For the purpose of providing the community with background and scope of the Scheme the Minister for Community Services has released the two reports.

ACT Community Sector Long Service Leave Scheme - Actuarial Report 5,832KB
ACT Community Sector Long Service Leave Scheme - Actuarial Report 547KB

ACT Portable Long Service Leave Scheme 569KB
ACT Portable Long Service Leave Scheme 655KB

Reconciliation Action Plan for the Year 2009-10

H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza)

The H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza) virus is a new strain of influenza, which is being seen in outbreaks around the world and in Australia.

ACT Health is directing significant efforts towards ensuring that any infection, once it occurs, can be contained.

More information and resources
ACT Heath website
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources and Fact Sheets
Weekly Updates
National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic
H1N1 Influenza 09 Outbreak - Health Emergency (Australian Government)
World Health Organisation

Disability ACT specific arrangements

International Day of Persons with a Disability - 2009 Grants Program

Disability ACT invites community groups and organisations to apply for a 2009 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (I-Day) Grant.

I-Day provides an opportunity to bring together people with disability, community organisations, businesses, all levels of government and the wider community to promote social inclusion.

Grants of up to $5,000 will be available to successful applicants to hold an event or activity on 3 December 2009 or in the first week of December 2009. More information.

ACT Young People’s Plan 2009 – 2014 Discussion Paper

ACT Young People’s Plan 2009 – 2014 is open for discussion, we invite written comment on the issues raised from this Discussion Paper. Questions raised are a guide to key issues. Additional comments, no matter how brief or expansive, are welcome. Closing date for written comments is Thursday 23 July 2009.

Please refer to the ACT Young People's Plan 2009-2014 Discussion Paper for more information.

Joint Champions Tenant Participation Group – Call for applications

Housing ACT is calling for interested Housing ACT tenants to apply for membership of the Joint Champions Tenant Participation Group.

The Joint Champions Group (JCG) was established in 2005 and comprises public housing tenants and Housing ACT staff who meet regularly to provide feedback on Housing ACT issues. It provides tenants with an opportunity to take part in and manage activities that contribute to the planning and delivery of housing services in the ACT.

Tenants from a range of backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people, older people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Current members are welcome to re-apply.

If you are energetic, have an interest in public housing issues, enjoy working with others and meeting new people, you could be an ideal Champion.

Interested tenants should complete the Joint Champions Group Application Form which includes a brief statement expressing your interest to participate in the JCG, and forward it to Housing ACT by close of business 26 June 2009.

Joint Champions Group Application Form 86KB
Joint Champions Group Application Form 125KB

Your application should be mailed to:
Joint Champions Group Secretariat
Housing ACT
Locked Bag 3000
BELCONNEN ACT 2616

If you would like to discuss the JCG with a current Joint Champions Group member, require further information, or need assistance preparing your application form, please telephone Housing ACT on 6207 5098 or 6207 1507 or e-mail eleanor.waight@act.gov.au or michelle.anderson@act.gov.au.

Disability E-News

Disability ACT is now trialing a bi-monthly e-newsletter to provide relevant information that is of interest to the sector.

The latest edition is now available on the Disability E - News page. We welcome your feedback.

Children and Young People with a Disability and their Families

Children and Young People with a Disability and their Families Policy 311KB
Children and Young People with a Disability and their Families Policy 105KB

Strategic Projects 2009 Funding Program

ACT Minister for Children and Youth, Andrew Barr MLA has announced the opening of the 2009 funding round for strategic projects under the Schools as Communities program..

Applications will be accepted from 13 May 2009 until close of business 12 June 2009.

Funding of up to $5,000 is available for initiatives that build links between families, schools and communities to support children and young people in the ACT.

Individuals or groups that have developed innovative and evidence-based projects with a focus on early intervention and prevention are encouraged to apply. Strategic Projects 2009 Funding Program

2009 ACT Chief Minister Inclusion Awards

Do you work in or own a business or organisation or work in a government department that demonstrates excellence in relation to the inclusion of people with disabilityin the operation and activities of the business? Do you know an outstanding individual
who engages with supports or promotes people with disability and is deserving of recognition?
www.inclusionawards.com.au

2009 Inclusion Awards Nomination form 87KB
2009 Inclusion Awards Nomination form 690KB

ACT Disability Policy Framework 2009-2014

ACT Disability Policy Framework 2009-2014
The ACT Government is updating its policy framework to improve outcomes and opportunities for Canberrans who have a disability.

ACT Budget 2009-2010

ACT Companion Card Program

ACT Companion Card Program
The ACT Companion Card program is currently under development and will form part of a national scheme that will include reciprocal arrangements with other States and Territories. This will allow ACT cardholders to use their card at over 1,800 businesses across Australia that currently accept the card.

The Companion Card Program currently operates in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

Review of the Role of Government as a Provider of Disability Services

The Review of the Role of Government focused on the strategic priorities that need to be considered in the delivery of disability services over the next 5-7 years. Through a very comprehensive consultation process with a wide range of stakeholders, the Review has delivered a set of 12 recommendations that, together with the recommendations from the Evaluation of Future Directions, continue to bring us closer in reaching the aspirations articulated in Challenge 2014.

Final Think Tank Report 189kb

Progress Report on Think Tank Recommendations 75kb
Progress Report on Think Tank Recommendations 55kb

Australian Government National Building and Jobs Plan - Social Housing

The ACT’s expected share of the Australian Government’s $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan is $350 million.

Social Housing Information

Bimberi Youth Justice - Handbook

Bimberi Handbook - A Young Person's Guide to Bimberi Youth Justice Centre 1.3mb

ABC Learning Centres - Voluntary Liquidation

Parents and families who may require information about the current situation regarding the ABC Learning Centres can visit www.mychild.gov.au

Working with Vulnerable People Checks

The ACT Government is developing a ‘Working with Vulnerable People Checks’ system for the ACT to assist in reducing the incidence of abuse of vulnerable persons.

Working with Vulnerable People Checks 63kb
Working with Vulnerable People Checks 28kb

Keeping Children and Young People Safe

The new provision in relation to Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect have been included in the Children and Young People Act 2008 and these commence from 27 October 2008.

The booklet Keeping Children and Young People Safe explaining the responsibilities and processes for reporting child abuse and neglect in the ACT, has also been revised to reflect the amendments to the Act and is available here as a draft. Hard copies of the new publication will be available in due course, please contact Learning and Community Education on 62071382 for more infromation about obtaining a copy when it becomes available.

2008-2010 ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing

Annual Report 2007-08

DHCS Annual Report 2007-08

Community Partners News & Information

Latest Community Partners News & Information March 2009 6MB
Previous Community Partners News & Information

Revitalising Our Communities

In May 2008 the ACT Government announced a consultation process to help determine the future use of eight surplus schools and their environs.

After eight community forums, information stalls, site information brochures, stakeholder forums and submissions by email, phone and in person, that consultation is complete.

The government welcomed the broad range of views expressed by a significant crosssection of the community, and the feedback has helped to shape its final decisions. Four Regional Community Centres will now be established, along with the neighbourhood halls and community parks. The opportunities for childcare facilities will be investigated for three of the sites. In addition, reflecting the community’s feedback that they valued the landscape setting and the community space provided by the school sites, landscape plans will now be developed for each site. More Information on Revitalising Our Communities

Meet the Director Report

Latest Meet the Director Report

Government engages with local community – Citizen Centred Governance

Canberrans are being asked to provide feedback to the Government on proposed reforms to the way Canberrans engage with government on its services

The Government is looking at ways to strengthen community consultation processes to improve the delivery of policies and services that benefit all Canberrans

The discussion paper and consultation details are available at www.cmd.act.gov.au/policystrategic