Pasifika and Māori Health and Wellbeing Strategic Framework and action plan for Brisbane South 2020-2025.
Community Workshops
As part of our work to ensure our community members and leaders are actively involved in the implementation of the Health Strategy, we have continued to deliver the Community Workshops. Since the last update, we have held a further two more sessions on the 15thh of July 2023 and a final one on the 14th of October 2023. These workshops are fundamental for us to be able to connect our communities to the work of the Health Strategy and to have our communities be actively involved in the journey. These workshops run quarterly every year for the duration of the Strategy
Objective: 1.3, 1.6
Related Action from Strategy:
- Co-design health literacy and health service navigation education strategies for the community.
- Embed community driven approaches to designing service models and care pathways across the continuum of care
- Increase community leaders’ capability and opportunity to drive strategy planning and service delivery for the Pasifika and Māori community!
- Provide network forums and workshops for innovators to create, coordinate and implement innovative ideas.
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Long Term Wellness
Community-Based Suicide Prevention Co-design
In October of 2023 we kicked off our community based suicide prevention codesign workshops. Three workshops were facilitated by MANAWISE Group and concluded in November 2023. The aim of the co-design was to 1) design suicide prevention activitiesfor the Brisbane South region 2) design of a process that helps the Pasifika and Māori communities in Brisbane South to identify or see themselves reflected in tender/procurement 3) develop a process for procurement to ensure community organisations have equitable accessto funding opportunities. The workshops also sought to validate and consolidate all that we had been hearing at the past community workshops and other engagement activities that had occurred previously. We had representatives such as community elders, young people, men, education, health services, clinicians and community organisations come together to share their insights and lived experience. To see findings of the co-design workshops, a final co-design report will be made available for public
Objective: 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4
Related Action from Strategy:
- Engage with cross-sector leaders to influence policies and programs that impact on the health and wellbeing of the community.
- Co-design health literacy and health service navigation education strategies for the community
- Embed community driven approaches to designing service models and care pathways across the continuum of care.
- Improve the quality and accuracy of the data and evidence to support planning and decision-making
- Increase community leaders’ capability and opportunity to drive strategy planning and service delivery for the Pasifika and Māori community Implement commissioning and procurement approaches that support Pasifika and Māori- led organisations to respond to funding opportunities
- Embed a strengths-based approach to service co-design and delivery.
- Continue and expand programs for Pasifika and Māori people that increase awareness of cultural strengths and assets.
- Build capacity in the community and improve knowledge about mental health and services and supports available.
- Embed Pasifika and Māori frameworks into service planning and delivery
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Long Term Wellness
- Mental Wealth
The Alamea Project
In October 2023, we released a targeted Expression of Interest (EOI) to nine community and grassroots organisations, inviting them to submit small grant proposals aimed at supporting Pasifika and Māori communities through a mental wealth approach. We were pleased to receive responses from seven organisations. Each successful applicant has been awarded a $15,000 grant to aid in delivering activities that promote a broader approach to health and mental wealth through their respective services. Congratulations to Teti’s Club, Maximise Psychology, Divine Ministries Inc – Young Adults, Village Connect – 3G’s (Elders), CrossFit COAH, REAP Fitness, and Te Korowai Aroha. They will each implement distinct and innovative mental health and holistic wellbeing programs tailored for various age groups, genders, and cultures within the Pasifika and Māori communities at different locations across the Brisbane south region
Objective: 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4
Related Action from Strategy:
- Build cross-sector partnerships to deliver place-based initiatives that take a holistic view of health and well-being.
- Continue and expand on programs for children and young people that enable them to live healthy lives • Embed community driven approaches to designing service models and care pathways across the continuum of care.
- Embed a strengths-based approach to service co-design and delivery
- Continue and expand on innovative community champion models.
- Continue and expand programs for Pasifika and Māori people that increase awareness of cultural strengths and assets
- Continue partnerships with local community organisations to deliver mental health programs.
- Build capacity in the community and improve knowledge about mental health and services and supports available.
- Embed Pasifika and Māori frameworks into service planning and delivery.
- Implement commissioning and procurement approaches that support Pasifika and Māori- led organisations to respond to funding opportunities.
Priority Area from Strategy:
Maternal and Child health
Lanuola Program
Lanuola Gestational Diabetes and Nutritional Program is a wraparound service provided through Village Connect Pasifika Maternity Hub re-launched on Friday 29th September after a long break due to waiting for the appointment of a Diabetes Educator. This program helps to bring an understanding of diabetes in pregnancy (Gestational diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes) providing education on management, the important role of nutrition and how to get support. The Lanuola gestational diabetes program now runs fortnightly on Friday. Please head to Village Connect | Logan Central QLD | Facebook keep up to date with session times and days.
Objective: 2.2, 2.3
Priority Area from Strategy:
Maternal and Child health
Related Action from Strategy:
- Continue and expand access to affordable community-led and based antenatal services that provide continuity of care
- Embed Pasifika and Māori frameworks into mainstream antenatal, child and family services that consider culturally nuanced health perspectives and experiences
Priority Area from Strategy:
Community Connector Role – Village Connect
The Brisbane South PHN has provided additional short-term funding to bolster the community connector roles within the Pasifika Maternity Hub. Acknowledging the pivotal role, the connectors play in maintaining and enriching services at the Pasifika maternity hub, this funding will enable volunteer connectors to be remunerated and is important to the success and sustainability of the Pasifika Maternity Hub model.
Objective: 2.2, 2.3
Related Action from Strategy:
- Explore innovative models that improve the delivery of information and care for young women before pregnancy.
- Continue and expand community-controlled maternal and child health programs that deliver integrated services
- Embed Pasifika and Māori frameworks into mainstream antenatal, child and family services that consider culturally nuanced health perspectives and experiences.
Priority Area from Strategy:
Maternal and Child health
Community Connector- Team Leader Role
In June 2023, funding for the Community Connector Team Leader role with Village Connect was extended for another 12months to continue the important role of integrating services within the Village Connect Hub. The role of the Village Connect Team leader supports to:
- Improve integration across key stakeholders from health and other sectors with the Village Connect community health hub and the Pasifika and Māori community.
- Increase the Pasifika and Māori community workforce through community connector roles.
- Improve health literacy and service navigation for Pasifika and Māori communities in the Brisbane South region.
- Increase community engagement and broaden participation with maternity and child health services. • Improve health outcomes for Pasifika and Māori communities
Objective: 2.1, 2.2, 2.4
Related Action from Strategy:
- Develop cross-sector partnerships to deliver place-based services across the continuum of health and social needs.
- Continue and expand community controlled maternal and child health programs that deliver integrated services.
- Continue and expand access to affordable community-led and based antenatal services that provide continuity of care.
Priority Area from Strategy:
Maternal and Child health
Keeping Our Kids Out (KOKO) Program
The KOKO Young Offenders program has been operating through Village connect since 2022. KOKO is a culturally responsive crime prevention initiative that uses the Community Connector model to take a holistic approach in engaging young offenders and solving issues taking into account family and other members involved in the care of the young person. The aim is to help young people navigate a range of support services such as health, education, employment, career, housing, mental health, counselling and budgeting “to help reduce or stop them from reoffending”. Due to the success of the pilot program in reducing the serial repeat offenders that were engaged with KOKO, the program has received further seed funding from Youth Justice
Objective: 1.1,2.1,2.3,3.3,3.4
Related Action from Strategy:
- Build cross-sector partnerships to deliver place-based initiatives that take a holistic view of health and well-being.
- Develop cross-sector partnerships to deliver place-based services across the continuum of health and social needs.
- Continue and expand on culturally responsive training and support for health professionals, services and organisations.
- Build capacity in the community and improve knowledge about mental health and services and supports available.
- Embed Pasifika and Māori frameworks into service planning and delivery.
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Long Term Wellness
- Maternal and Child Health
- Mental Wealth
School Based Mental Wealth Project – MANAWISE Group
MANAWISE Group continue to deliver their schools mentoring programs which focuses on embedding a strengths-based approach to promoting cultural strengths and assets. Over the previous term they have delivered an additional 15 sessions benefiting more than 50 school students. The successful program wrapped up with an awards ceremony honouring and acknowledging the students achievements.
Objective: 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Related Action from Strategy:
- Continue and expand on programs for children and young people that enable them to live healthy lives.
- Embed a strength-based approach to service co-design and delivery.
- Continue and expand programs for Pasifika and Māori people that increase awareness of cultural strengths and assets
- Continue partnerships with local community organisations to deliver mental health programs.
- Use role-models, influencers, and early adopters to promote mental wealth messages.
- Investigate the role of social media platforms such as an online community hub to increase awareness and access to services.
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Long Term Wellness
- Maternal and Child Health
- Mental Wealth
Fill your cup program – Teti’s Club. Inc
Throughout October and November 2023, Teti’s Club launched an initiative to bolster men's mental health by fostering open discussions in a secure and supportive setting. The "Fill Your Cup" series comprised pop-up events centered around coffee and conversations, aiming to destigmatize mental health among Pasifika men and engage them directly at their local gyms. This initiative provided complimentary coffee, mental health resources tailored to men’s well-being, professional mental health education, supplementary support as needed, peer support and connection, and interactive activities like the lalaga (weaving conversations) card activity. The impact was noteworthy, attracting over 180 participants across three weekend events and facilitating over 200 instances of coffee and conversations.
Objective: 3.2, 3.3
Related Action from Strategy:
- Continue partnerships with local community organisations to deliver mental health programs.
- Build capacity in the community and improve knowledge about mental health and services and supports available.
- Use role-models, influencers, and early adopters to promote mental wealth messages
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Mental Wealth
National Multicultural Health and Wellbeing Conference 2023
On November 21st and 22nd, Dr. Inez Faingaa-Manu Siona, Chair, along with Eden Malama, Secretariat of the Pasifika and Māori Health and Wellbeing Strategy Governance Group, took the stage at the National Health and Wellbeing Conference 2023 held in Sydney. Their presentation centered on the Pasifika and Māori Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the importance of embedding Pasifika and Māori health and wellbeing frameworks into service planning and delivery and community engagement. Additionally, the presentation spotlighted the Village Connect Pasifika Maternity Hub Model, highlighting it the importance of intersecting clinical and cultural approaches. Congratulations also to Dr Kuini Chang-Wai and Dr Eta Raicebe from the Oceania Pacific Health Association for their wonderful presentation showcasing the phenomenal effort of their work through with Pasifika communities in their COVID-19 Community Outreach Program: Pacific Community Queensland. All presentations resonated strongly, capturing significant interest among conference attendees
Objective: 1.1, 1.6, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3
Related Action from Strategy:
- Engage with cross-sector leaders to influence policies and programs that impact on the health and wellbeing of the community.
- Provide network forums and workshops for innovators to create, coordinate and implement innovative ideas.
- Continue and expand community-controlled maternal and child health programs that deliver integrated services.
- Continue and expand programs for Pasifika and Māori people that increase awareness of cultural strengths and assets.
- Develop and share public material on mental health concepts for Pasifika and Māori people • Embed Pasifika and Māori frameworks into service planning and delivery.
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Long Term Wellness
- Maternal and Child Health
- Mental Wealth
Metro South Health (MSH) Service Action Plan 2023-2026
The MSH Multicultural Health Service Plan 2023-26 was officially launched on Thursday 30th November 2023. Developed by the Health Equity and Access Team (HEAT), the Plan demonstrates MSH’s commitment to improving health services and workplaces for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The plan will guide MSH priorities and enable meaningful improvements across the health service. It will help to provide equitable access to services through enhanced collaboration, and development of an exceptional diverse workforce. Additionally, it recognises the importance of collaborating to deliver the Pasifika and Māori Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Objective:1.1, 2.4,3.4
Related Action from Strategy:
- Engage with cross-sector leaders to influence policies and programs that impact on the health and wellbeing of the community
- Build cross-sector partnerships to deliver place-based initiatives that take a holistic view of health and well-being.
- Enhance joint planning and service delivery through formalised partnerships between relevant stakeholders
- Embed Pasifika and Māori frameworks into service planning and delivery.
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Long Term Wellness
- Maternal and Child Health
- Mental Wealth
Oceania Pacific Health Association (OPHA) Inaugural Workshop
The Oceania Pacific Health Association (OPHA) hosted its inaugural workshop on October 7th, 2023. The workshop united a diverse array of professionals— doctors, nurses, psychologists, researchers, social workers, students from tertiary institutions and high schools, community leaders with Pasifika heritage, alongside policymakers, and health service leaders. The focal point of the event was "Pacific Health in Australia: Reflect, Reconnect, and Respond," the event provided a platform for reflection, connection, and proactive engagement. The workshop showcased Pasifika healthcare models and programs being delivered across the region, data from the QLD Health CALD health data report, advancements in digital health and telehealth, and various other health related topics. This successful gathering drew in 40 clinicians, community experts, and participants from Queensland, New South Wales, and Aotearoa. Congratulations to OPHA and everyone involved on a great and successful workshop!
Objective: 1.1, 2.4,3.4
Related Action from Strategy:
- Engage with cross-sector leaders to influence policies and programs that impact on the health and wellbeing of the community
- Co-design health literacy and health service navigation education strategies for the community
- Provide network forums and workshops for innovators to create, coordinate and implement innovative ideas
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Long Term Wellness
Queensland Health Sponsorship
The Pasifika and Māori Health Strategy Governance group has been lucky enough to secure sponsorship from Queensland health to work with relevant stakeholders to support with the dissemination of the Qld Health CALD health data report and determine the most suitable follow up actions from the report including facilitating health literacy/promotion activities with Pasifika communities.
Objective: 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6
Related Action from Strategy:
- Build cross-sector partnerships to deliver place-based initiatives that take a holistic view of health and well-being.
- Improve the quality and accuracy of the data and evidence to support planning and decision-making.
- Embed community driven approaches to designing service models and care pathways across the continuum of care.
- Co-design health literacy and health service navigation education strategies for the community
Priority Area from Strategy:
- Long Term Wellness