Department of Social Services (DSS)

The Supporting Adolescent Boys Trial is a new early intervention trial, focusing on providing tailored support to young men and boys who have experienced family and domestic violence. The trial aims to promote emotional wellbeing, support healthy relationships, and assist with recovery and healing from their own experiences to help them choose not to use violence. To learn more about this new initiative and its goals, check out the full media release here: https://lnkd.in/gwyBDTCP Early intervention is a key area of focus under the National Plan to End Violence against Women 2022-2032. To learn more, read the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, visit: https://lnkd.in/gJrQ3xVq #16DaysOfActivism #UnitedNations

Today the Australian Government launched the new Helping Children Heal Hub in Western Sydney. Helping Children Heal supports children aged 6-12 years who are struggling to reach developmental, social and educational milestones due to family and domestic violence. Find out more here https://bit.ly/41crAAf

An updated version of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 will be released soon. A new Guide in applying Australia’s Disability Strategy is now available at https://lnkd.in/g9eusRTh Accessible formats including Easy Read, Auslan and versions in languages other than English are available.

It has been 12 months since 1800RESPECT partnered with Telstra on an initiative involving Telstra’s national payphone network. Artwork displaying the contact information for 6 identified support services has been rolled out across payphones nationwide, generating more than 21,000 calls in the last 12 months. With more than 14,500 free public payphones Australia-wide, this initiative has helped increase awareness of these valuable services that provide support to people in the areas of: • mental health • domestic, family and sexual violence • financial support. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au for online chat and video call services: 1800RESPECT is a free and confidential service. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. #16DaysOfActivism #UnitedNations

Applications are now open to be part of the new NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC). The EAC will give independent expert advice to the Australian Government on the suitability of supports for NDIS funding. You can apply for the EAC or one of its 3 technical subcommittees: • capacity building and therapies • assistive technology and capital • economics. Applications close on Tuesday 17 December. Find out more about how to apply at dss.gov.au/ndis-eac

Over the past year, we asked people with disability and the wider community what they thought about Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) 2021-2031, including what was working and what needed to change. An updated version of Australia’s Disability Strategy will be available soon. Find out what the community said in Australia’s Disability Strategy Review 2024. Now available at https://lnkd.in/g9eusRTh Accessible formats of these documents including Easy Read, Auslan and versions in languages other than English are available.

Today is International Day of People with Disability. Join us and our IDPwD 2024 Ambassadors in raising awareness, understanding and acceptance of the 5.5 million people with disability in Australia. Let’s all be part of creating an inclusive and diverse community in Australia. Learn more at www.idpwd.com.au #idpwd #idpwd2024

We received lots of amazing entries for our Stop it at the Start Respect Competition. Check out the story boards of our runners up here: https://lnkd.in/gdqhWGgu Well done everyone. #StopItAtTheStart

The Disability Representative Organisations (DRO) program provides systemic advocacy and representation for people with disability. It enables people with disability to have their say on Australian Government matters. For more information about the DRO program, go to dss.gov.au/dro

The Department of Social Services' new website is now live. Visit www.dss.gov.au and explore the work we do. Don't forget to update your bookmarks.