New FMHSS Framework and Practice Principles Introduction The Targeted Community Care (Mental Health) Program (TCC Program) commenced in 2006 following a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreement to a whole-of-government approach to mental health. The three Activities funded under the TCC Program are: Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) Mental Health Respite: Carer Support (MHR:CS), and Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS). There are two distinct groups of FMHSS: FMHSS established before 2012: those FMHSS funded and established prior to the 2011–12 Budget, and New FMHSS: those FMHSS funded through the 2011–12 Budget, and established from 2012, including those FMHSS providers selected through the current selection process. This Resource Kit refers to New FMHSS. Consultation with providers and other key stakeholders has guided the design and development of the New FMHSS. Further detail on the consultation outcomes is at Attachment A. Key themes that have emerged from consultations and that have been built into New FMHSS include: There are few services available for children, young people and their families who are at the early stages of being at risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes. Many current services focus on supporting families who are already experiencing multiple and complex needs, and these services often have waiting lists There are few services that focus first on the needs of children and young people. Many services give more prominence to the needs and goals of adults Child-centred services are needed to ensure the voices of children and young people are heard and responded to It is essential to always work with the family of the children and young people as this will improve their long term mental health outcomes. Work with families should be strengths based and build resilience Service delivery needs to be flexible and innovative to meet the wide range of needs of children, young people and their families. This includes considering how technology can be used effectively to engage and work with New FMHSS participants It is essential services be well linked with other relevant services in the local area to promote better integrated service delivery and ensure children and families do not fall through the cracks, and
New FMHSS Framework and Practice Principles Introduction The Targeted Community Care (Mental Health) Program (TCC Program) commenced in 2006 following a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreement to a whole-of-government approach to mental health. The three Activities funded under the TCC Program are: Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) Mental Health Respite: Carer Support (MHR:CS), and Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS). There are two distinct groups of FMHSS: FMHSS established before 2012: those FMHSS funded and established prior to the 2011–12 Budget, and New FMHSS: those FMHSS funded through the 2011–12 Budget, and established from 2012, including those FMHSS providers selected through the current selection process. This Resource Kit refers to New FMHSS. Consultation with providers and other key stakeholders has guided the design and development of the New FMHSS. Further detail on the consultation outcomes is at Attachment A. Key themes that have emerged from consultations and that have been built into New FMHSS include: There are few services available for children, young people and their families who are at the early stages of being at risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes. Many current services focus on supporting families who are already experiencing multiple and complex needs, and these services often have waiting lists There are few services that focus first on the needs of children and young people. Many services give more prominence to the needs and goals of adults Child-centred services are needed to ensure the voices of children and young people are heard and responded to It is essential to always work with the family of the children and young people as this will improve their long term mental health outcomes. Work with families should be strengths based and build resilience Service delivery needs to be flexible and innovative to meet the wide range of needs of children, young people and their families. This includes considering how technology can be used effectively to engage and work with New FMHSS participants It is essential services be well linked with other relevant services in the local area to promote better integrated service delivery and ensure children and families do not fall through the cracks, and
final_fmhss_resource_kit_-_27_february_2013.docx