Harmony Day 2023 and Inclusive Services

Harmony Day throughout Australia and International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination are marked on 21 March, an opportunity to renew our efforts to support inclusive, culturally secure alcohol and other drug services.

For WANADA and for many alcohol and other drug services, these efforts are anchored in the Alcohol and other Drug and Human Services Standard (the Standard).

WANADA Sector Quality Manager Rochelle Mcintosh recently joined the WANADA team and believes the Standard is unique in its approach.

“The Standard is the first and only international alcohol and other drug and human services standard that’s also a standard on culturally secure practice,” says Rochelle. “This is a significant achievement for the WA alcohol and other drug sector.”

Services who are certified against the standard must be able to meet criteria in relation to inclusive practice. Objectives include ‘Active Inclusion and Non-discriminatory Practice.’

“This requires services to demonstrate that they provide a welcoming and inclusive environment, that they have taken action to reduce stigma and discrimination, that workers are supported to reflect on their attitudes and behaviours toward others, and that family members and significant others feel welcomed, respected, listened to and heard,” says Rochelle.

A new partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of WA, thanks to funding from WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), will soon see WANADA working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) with an aim to increase organisations capacity and capability to deliver alcohol and other drug treatment services for Aboriginal people within a quality framework.

The approach is framed by the Standard and supported by a range of experts from across sectors, as well as through the partnership formed by the two peak bodies, WANADA and AHCWA.

Organisations have now been invited, via Expressions of Interest , to develop &/or enhance their Alcohol and other Drug Practice Plan in response to the needs of their local communities. Workforce development is a focus of the project, with targeted training and mentoring in organisational governance offered to participating organisations.

“The project is just one example of WANADA’s work to support access to alcohol and other drug treatment and support for everyone living in Western Australia,” says Rochelle. “We’re excited about the possibilities for communities throughout the state and look forward to working with the Aboriginal community controlled sector to achieve this.”

For more information about the Standard and other WANADA activities, please call (08) 6557 9400 or email [email protected]. #health #community

Image: WANADA Communications Officer Deanne Ferris (left) and Sector Quality Manager Rochelle McIntosh with the Alcohol and other Drug and Human Services Standard. Both are wearing orange for Harmony Day 2023.

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