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The Queensland Government is trialling the placement of Community Connect workers in high need communities to facilitate support and referrals for individuals and families (‘service users’) to specialist services – such as those that support people with complex needs and those affected by domestic and family violence. The two-year Community Connect trial aims to promote and encourage resilience in vulnerable individuals, families and communities.
Community Connect Trials will be conducted from existing neighbourhood centres located in the following locations (Queensland Government regions): Blackall and Monto (Central), Bowen and Upper Ross (North), Chinchilla and Lockyer Valley (South West), Eagleby and Nerang (South East), Gympie (North Coast), Manoora and Mossman (Far North), and Darra (Brisbane).
Key factors in deciding where to conduct the Community Connect Trial:
• enhancement of neighbourhood centre capacity in centres without a Family Support worker
• centres located at the margins of a support service network, so the worker can expand access to that network
• ensuring a geographic spread so impact of the Community Connect worker positions can be assessed in a diverse range of contexts.
The trial will boost the capacity of these centres to assist service users who require tailored support. It acknowledges that paid and volunteer staff are often already fully-engaged in the vital work of service delivery within the neighbourhood centre. Successful implementation of the trial may depend on the capacity of Community Connect workers to identify the needs of service users – and ensure effective and timely access to appropriate services and supports in the local region.
The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (DCCSDS) seeks to purchase the services of existing suppliers of community services to: manage the recruitment and employment of a Community Connect worker, manage an operational budget and brokerage funding, and participate in the department’s reporting requirements.