4 - 5 September 2008

This year, the ACTCOSS Conference has the theme of Community Sector Futures. It will explore some of the changes and future directions for community organisations, giving you insights and skills for what lies ahead. We hope you will leave the conference enthused, with new ideas, and stronger relationships.

This year we are also excited to invite you to the inaugural Diversity Ball, the community sector's night of nights. We will be presenting awards to outstanding community sector organisations and workers. So dust off your dancing shoes and celebrate our sector in style!

To find out more, download the Conference Program and Registration form.

10 - 11am, Tuesday 29 July 2008
Reception Room, ACT Legislative Assembly

Simon Corbell MLA, Attorney-General and Minister for Police, will launch this joint report from ACTCOSS and the Aboriginal Justice Centre.

"Circles of Support: Towards Indigenous Justice - Prevention, Diversion and Rehabilitation" aims to engage with the reasons for Indigneous over-representation in the justice system, and make recommendations for change.

To RSVP for the launch e-mail brooke.mckail@actcoss.org.au call 6202 7222, or download the Circles of Support flyer.

9:30am - 12:00pm, Wednesday 30 July 2008
ACTCOSS Meeting Room

The ACTCOSS Adult Literacy Project aims to expore barriers to access for literacy education and linkages with community sector organisations. This consultation workshop is designed to explore options for community sector organisations and adult literacy providers to partner in improving adult literacy in the ACT. A discussion paper will be forwarded to participants before the workshop.

To RSVP for this workshop, email maria@actcoss.org.au or download the Workshop registration form and fax it to 6281 4192.

9am - 1pm, Monday 28 July 2008
Private Dining Room, Southern Cross Club, Phillip

ACOSS, the national peak body for the community sector, is currently undertaking consultations on the establishment of a National Compact between the community sector and the Commonwealth Government. This consultation is being held in conjunction with ACTCOSS for community organisations in the ACT.

To register, please download the Registration Form.

ACTCOSS has been completing a project on finding solutions to the challenge of maintaining the viability of community organisaions. Discussion of the issues and options is a first step in developing a strategic direction for the sector.

Three options papers have been prepared during this project. They focus on three key issues of concern: sharing services, funding, and workforce development.

Paper 1: Shared Services - Issues and Options
Paper 2: Funding - Issues and Options
Paper 3: Workforce Development - Issues and Options

Each year, ACTCOSS prepares a snapshot document to give a short overview of the ACT Budget for the community sector. It is presented to people attending our annual Budget Forum the day after the Budget is released, where ACT Government Ministers have the chance to outline the effect of Budget decisions on people experiencing disadvantage and community sector organisations.

Download the 2008-09 ACT Budget Snapshot.

The 2008 HACC Sector Planning Day

On 8 April 2008, ACTCOSS helped facilitate the annual Home and Community Care (HACC) Planning Day, which focussed on the development of a single access point for HACC services. The outcomes of the day are documented in the report, which is now available for download.

Download the 2008 HACC Sector Planning Day Report: Implementing a Single Access Point.

Stories from the Narrabundah Longstay Park

In conjunction with Softlaw Community Projects and the ACT Government, ACTCOSS has helped produce a book on the lives of the residents of the Narrabundah Longstay Park. Last year, the homes of park residents were threatened by the purchase of the site by a developer, but the ACT Government stepped in to negotiate a deal to protect there homes.

To order a copy of the book, please download the order form.

The ACTCOSS Submission to the ACT Budget 2008-09

Each year, ACTCOSS undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the social policy and community sector issues in the ACT as part of the ACT Government's Budget process. This year's submission is now available.

You can download the ACTCOSS Budget Submission 2008-09, or visit our Papers & Reports webpage to download past budget submissions and a range of other policy documents.

In 2004, the ACT Government launched the ACT Social Compact. The Compact is a statement of understanding about the relationship between the ACT Government and the community sector. Three years on, the concern has been raised that some organisations and agencies are not aware of its ongoing application for working together.

You can download a copy of the Social Compact, or visit the Strategic Policy and Community Engagement webpage on the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services website for more information.

In Anti-Poverty Week 2007, ACTCOSS launched research conducted by NATSEM, in partnership with the University of Canberra and ACTCOSS, which provides detailed information on the composition of ACT households that are in the lowest 20% national in terms of household income.

We would like to thank the organisations that provided financial support to this research, including the ACT Community Inclusion Board, Communities@Work, Softlaw Community Projects, YWCA of Canberra, Inanna, Gungahlin Community Regional Service, Woden Community Service and Lifeline Canberra.

Download Characteristics of Low-Income ACT Households.

In June 2007, ACTCOSS released a research report that explores the extent to which the community mental health system is linked and integrated into a broader social service system.

Download the No Wrong Doors Report.

You can also browse the extensive collection of reports and policy documents on ACTCOSS' Papers & Reports webpage.

The September 2006 updates to the Referral Guide are available here.
The original release is available here.

The ACTCOSS Strategic Plan sets out our vision, values and priorities for the period 2006-2008.