Turning Point Sign Up Information

Dear Turning Point subscribers,

Thank you for subscribing to Turning Point''s newsletter. As a subscriber I would like to inform you of a powerful new SBS documentary series on addiction and a national campaign that may have an impact on the AOD and gambling support sector.
 
I would also appreciate your help in promoting the sector-wide campaign to Rethink Addiction so that we can end the shame and stigma that delays people seeking help.

Please read below to find out more and get involved in the campaign today.
 
ABOUT THE SBS SERIES
Addicted Australia is a four-part SBS documentary series set to air weekly at 8.30pm from Tuesday 10 November 2020. It will provide a unique insight into addiction, stigma and treatment by following ten clients, their clinicians, peer support group and families and friends as they take part in a six-month treatment program designed by Turning Point. The series will be rated Mature Audience (MA15+) and is not suitable for people aged under 15 years.
 
The series will cover alcohol, gambling and drug addiction, treatment (including peer and family support) as well as address the social issues that worsen the stigma and isolation associated with addiction.
 
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN TO RETHINK ADDICTION
The large national audience expected for the series will provide an unparalleled opportunity to reshape the public discourse around addiction and its treatment. To seize this opportunity, Turning Point has facilitated the establishment of Rethink Addiction, an independent group of like-minded organisations that are calling for a shift to Australia's attitude to addiction and treatment.
 
The campaign seeks to educate the general public about the real stories of addiction so that the damaging stigma around addiction and treatment can be removed. It is also calling on key decision makers to commit to making addressing addiction a national priority.
 
While Rethink Addiction is under the auspices of Turning Point, it remains a wholly collaborative initiative to educate and mobilise the general public so that we can demonstrate the national priority to state and federal governments. The campaign does not actively promote Turning Point services or serve to fundraise.
 
HOW THIS WILL IMPACT THE SECTOR
We expect that there will be increased community awareness about addiction as a result of the series and associated campaign which is likely to result in a significant increase in people seeking information, treatment and support from helplines, primary care and the AOD and gambling sectors.
 
GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN
We would welcome the opportunity for your organisation to join the campaign to Rethink Addiction and there are a number of ways to get involved.
 
1.  Become a Rethink Addiction partner for change
Join the campaign and have your organisation's logo in the 'About' section of the campaign website. Partnerships will help further the reach of the campaign and strengthen our call for change. See our current partners here.

2. Help spread the word
Promote the campaign and the upcoming series among your networks and through social media channels (see links below). The campaign team can assist by providing talking points and collateral for promotion through your networks.
 
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

3. Content creation
Help the campaign source and create content that de-stigmatises addiction. This can take the form of sharing stories of addiction, drafting blog/vlog posts, a sit-down interview with experts or any other activity that will encourage the general public to visit our website.
 
Please contact the campaign manager, Andrew Stewart on 0423 939 733 or at andrew@michelsonalexander.com.au for further information and to discuss how to get involved in the campaign.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Prof Dan Lubman
 
 
Executive Clinical Director, Turning Point, Eastern Health
Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre
Professor of Addiction Studies and Services, Monash University

Connect & Learn Webinar Series 
Wednesday the 23rd of September

Streamlining the Referral Experience

Clinical guidance for completing the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug Comprehensive Assessment to support client admission into residential withdrawal

This webinar will be essential viewing for Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) clinicians involved in completing and receiving the Comprehensive AOD Assessment for people seeking admission to community and medically supervised residential withdrawal.

This webinar has been developed after consultation with the wider AOD sector and residential intake workers across Victoria. This group identified the need to enhance the quality of assessments prior to client's admission for residential withdrawal care and highlight the important elements essential in quality assessment for admission to residential withdrawal services.

Join Turning Point for an opportunity to ask questions about the AOD Comprehensive Assessment and have them answered by residential intake clinicians from both a medically supervised model of care and a community based model of care. 

Have a copy at hand of the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug Comprehensive Assessment 
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/publications/FormsAndTemplates/victorian-aod-comprehensive-assessment-form

The presenters for this webinar will be:

Goldie Nemirovsky
Goldie is the Senior Intake and Assessment Advisor at Windana for the adult residential withdrawal unit and currently leads the admission team. Goldie assesses and coordinates new referrals for residential withdrawal, as well as providing clinical supervision for her team. She has an extensive background in intake and assessment in the AOD sector and has also worked broadly in youth mental health. Her areas of interest include mental health comorbidity, training staff, streamlining referral processes and reflective practice.

Rebecca Smyth
Rebecca has been the Unit Manager at Depaul House Residential Withdrawal Unit since 2018. (De Paul House is part of St. Vincent's Department of Addiction Medicine). Rebecca is originally from Ireland, where she completed a Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing (Hons) before migrating to Australia in 2013. Rebecca''s clinical experience ranges from Forensic to Child & Adolescent Mental Health, with previous management roles held at Acute Adult Inpatient Mental Health Services both in NSW & Victoria"

Date and time:  Wednesday 23rd September @1:00pm AEST

Who should register? This webinar will be useful when inducting new staff to screening and assessment roles and as a reminder to existing staff when referring to residential withdrawal services.

Registration: There is no cost to attend the Connect & Learn webinar series but registrations are essential, click here to register.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email from Redback Connect with a link to join the webinar at the stated date and time. We would also recommend you add the event to your calendar.  Please check your junk email or spam filter if you haven''t received a registration confirmation within 24 hours of registering.

On the day of the webinar, Redback Connect will be providing the technical support. Should you require technical assistance, please contact them on 1800 733 416.

We need your help to build a rapid drug alert system in Victoria! 

If you are a Victorian AOD or emergency services clinician/worker/manager, working with people who use drugs and/or responding to drug-related averse events, RMIT University and Turning Point, along with project partners, invite you to participate in the co-design process of a new Victorian clinical rapid drug alert system.

You can participate by completing a quick (8 minute), anonymous survey: https://rmit.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0uOPbD3O8ecdlRP

The aim of this research is to identify how Victoria Police forensic drug analysis data can best be communicated to the AOD workforce, in the form of rapid drug alerts. We hope to improve clinical responses and resource management when responding to acute drug-related harm and adverse medical events, by informing clinicians/workers and managers about what drugs are circulating in local drug markets.

Upon completing the survey, you will have the option to express your interest in an online co-design workshop to inform the final alert design. You can also express interest in receiving alerts during the research trial period.

We'd love to hear from you if you work in Victoria, and you are employed as any of the following:

• Alcohol and other drug (AOD) worker (engaged directly with people who use drugs/have acute drug problems)
• Manager of an AOD program, practice or service (responsible for allocating resources/staffing)
• Emergency healthcare clinician (nurse/doctor/paramedic working in an emergency department, mobile response unit and/or services at events/mass gatherings)
• Manager of an emergency department, response unit, and/or mobile service (responsible for allocating resources/staffing)

Click here to participate: Survey closes Monday 23rd November. 

If you''d like more information, please contact Isabelle Volpe (Research Officer) at isabelle.volpe@rmit.edu.au or ritab@turningpoint.org.au to find out more.

This research is led by RMIT and is funded by the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs. RMIT HREC Approval No.: 22591. Project partners include Turning Point (Eastern Health), Safer Care Victoria, Victoria Police, Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, 360edge, Harm Reduction Victoria, Uniting ReGen and Flinders University.  

Addicted Australia - 3rd Episode Tonight on SBS (8.30pm AEDT)

Tonight is the third episode of the ground-breaking four-part documentary series, Addicted Australia, to view previous episodes go to
SBS ON DEMAND.

The third episode (tonight at 8.30pm AEDT on SBS) will continue to follow ten clients, their clinicians, peer support group and families and friends through a six-month treatment journey led by Turning Point. It is an incredibly moving and personal piece of television that tells the real story of addiction. 
 
Addicted Australia is generating significant buzz online and in the media. This has created an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the public conversation about addiction and its treatment. To seize this opportunity, Turning Point has facilitated the establishment of Rethink Addiction  an independent campaign comprising a group of like-minded organisations calling for a shift to Australia's attitude to addiction and treatment.

How you can help
 
1. Tell your Real Story of Addiction: Share a story about how addiction has touched your life or your work.
 
2. The best way to support Rethink Addiction is to follow the campaign and sign the petition for change.
 
3. Talk about the documentary and campaign with your friends, family, peers and networks to rally support and ensure as many people as possible watch the SBS series. 
 
4. You can also help promote the series and the campaign among your network, family and friends by following and sharing the campaign on social media:
 
Facebook 
Twitter 
Instagram

Together we can Rethink Addiction.
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
Prof Dan Lubman 
Executive Clinical Director, Turning Point, Eastern Health 
Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre 
Professor of Addiction Studies and Services, Monash University

Advance your career in AOD with postgraduate study in Addictive Behaviours

(scholarships available)

The alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector offers a broad range of career options and pathways. Staying up to date with the latest research, theory and innovations will improve your clinical and professional practice, and support your career development.

Turning Point, in partnership with Monash University, now offers three online postgraduate courses in Addictive Behaviours to develop your specialist knowledge and professional skills:

• Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours (M4018) - 1yr part-time*
• Graduate Diploma of Addictive Behaviours (M5022) - 2yrs part-time 
• Master of Addictive Behaviours (M6014) - 2-3yrs part-time (depending on entry level and prior qualifications)

• Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours
• DHHS (Vic) scholarships for Victorian AOD workers (Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours) 2021

Talking Point - Wednesday 18^th November, 1pm - 2pm

Connect & Learn Webinar Series 
Wednesday the 23rd of September

Streamlining the Referral Experience

Clinical guidance for completing the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug Comprehensive Assessment to support client admission into residential withdrawal

This webinar will be essential viewing for Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) clinicians involved in completing and receiving the Comprehensive AOD Assessment for people seeking admission to community and medically supervised residential withdrawal.

This webinar has been developed after consultation with the wider AOD sector and residential intake workers across Victoria. This group identified the need to enhance the quality of assessments prior to client's admission for residential withdrawal care and highlight the important elements essential in quality assessment for admission to residential withdrawal services.

Join Turning Point for an opportunity to ask questions about the AOD Comprehensive Assessment and have them answered by residential intake clinicians from both a medically supervised model of care and a community based model of care. 

Have a copy at hand of the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug Comprehensive Assessment 
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/publications/FormsAndTemplates/victorian-aod-comprehensive-assessment-form

The presenters for this webinar will be:

Goldie Nemirovsky
Goldie is the Senior Intake and Assessment Advisor at Windana for the adult residential withdrawal unit and currently leads the admission team. Goldie assesses and coordinates new referrals for residential withdrawal, as well as providing clinical supervision for her team. She has an extensive background in intake and assessment in the AOD sector and has also worked broadly in youth mental health. Her areas of interest include mental health comorbidity, training staff, streamlining referral processes and reflective practice.

Rebecca Smyth
Rebecca has been the Unit Manager at Depaul House Residential Withdrawal Unit since 2018. (De Paul House is part of St. Vincent's Department of Addiction Medicine). Rebecca is originally from Ireland, where she completed a Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing (Hons) before migrating to Australia in 2013. Rebecca''s clinical experience ranges from Forensic to Child & Adolescent Mental Health, with previous management roles held at Acute Adult Inpatient Mental Health Services both in NSW & Victoria"

Date and time:  Wednesday 23rd September @1:00pm AEST

Who should register? This webinar will be useful when inducting new staff to screening and assessment roles and as a reminder to existing staff when referring to residential withdrawal services.

Registration: There is no cost to attend the Connect & Learn webinar series but registrations are essential, click here to register.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email from Redback Connect with a link to join the webinar at the stated date and time. We would also recommend you add the event to your calendar.  Please check your junk email or spam filter if you haven''t received a registration confirmation within 24 hours of registering.

On the day of the webinar, Redback Connect will be providing the technical support. Should you require technical assistance, please contact them on 1800 733 416.

Talking Point - Wednesday 18^th November, 1pm - 2pm

Tonight on SBS at 8:30 - Addicted Australia

Tonight is the premiere of Addicted Australia,
a four-part SBS documentary series not to be missed!

Starting tonight at 8.30pm AEDT on SBS, the series will follow ten clients, their clinicians, peer support group and families and friends as they take part in a six-month treatment program designed by Turning Point. The series will be rated Mature Audience (MA15+) and is not suitable for people aged under 15 years. Watch a trailer for the series here.

The large national audience expected for the series will provide an unparalleled opportunity to reshape the public discourse around addiction and its treatment. To seize this opportunity, Turning Point has facilitated the establishment of Rethink Addiction, an independent group of like-minded organisations that are calling for a shift to Australia's attitude to addiction and treatment. 
 
Support the campaign to Rethink Addiction
You can help promote the series and the campaign among your network, family and friend to help end the stigma. You can do this by:

Together we can Rethink Addiction.
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
Prof Dan Lubman 
Executive Clinical Director, Turning Point, Eastern Health 
Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre 
Professor of Addiction Studies and Services, Monash University

The tertiary education system in Australia can be very confusing. Differentiating between Grad Certs and Cert IV's, Diplomas and Degrees, competencies and qualifications, can be head spinning, and that's even before you start thinking about content.

This webinar will attempt to simplify and explain the qualifications required to work in the AOD sector in Victoria; what you need to do and where and how you can do it. In a sector that is largely unregulated, the pathways to evidence based practice are not always clearly delineated. This webinar is designed for managers and senior staff who want to upgrade their qualifications, advertise for new staff or provide professional development to their teams, as well as graduates and early career AOD workers who would like to understand the minimum qualifications required for working in the sector. The topics covered in this webinar will include:

• Qualifications, personal characteristics and life experience
• The Vocational Education Sector (VET) and the Victorian Minimum Qualification Strategy
• Degrees and Professional Training
• Specialist post graduate qualifications and PhD's
• Professional Development Courses and micro-credentials
• FAQ's

There will be an opportunity at the end of the webinar for participants to ask questions.

Presenter Dr Naomi Crafti has been the Workforce Development Manager at Turning Point for the past 8 years. Previously Naomi taught Psychology at Swinburne University. While recently stepping back into an academic teaching role, Naomi's parting gesture to Workforce Development is an attempt to summarise, simply, what she has learnt in this time about the educational requirements of the AOD workforce in Victoria. She hopes this webinar will be an opportunity for both current and future AOD workers to get the facts about tertiary qualifications in Victoria and encourage a culture of lifelong learning in the sector.

Date: Wednesday 2nd of December 2020 
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm AEST
Venue: Online
Cost: Free -  Connect & Learn is a free webinar series but registrations are essential
Registration: click here to register

Click here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list

Last chance to watch Addicted Australia as it airs - final episode tonight on SBS (8.30pm AEDT)

Tonight is the final episode of Addicted Australia, drawing to a close some of the most compelling television of 2020. But the campaign to Rethink Addiction is not over and we still need your help.

The final episode concludes what has been an incredibly moving and personal piece of television telling the real story of addiction. Episode four brings closure to some of the participants' journeys that we have been following over the past 3 weeks. But as is common in addiction recovery, for some participants the journey continues.

That is why it is so important to continue the campaign to Rethink Addiction so that more Australians like the 10 participants feel able to reach out for help.

How you can help:

Promote the series and the campaign among your network, family and friends by following and sharing the campaign on social media: Facebook , Twitter  and Instagram

Follow the Rethink Addiction campaign and sign the petition for change.

Tell your Real Story of Addiction: Share a story about how addiction has touched your life or your work.

If you missed any episodes of Addicted Australia you can watch it on SBS OnDemand here.

Together we can Rethink Addiction!

Yours sincerely, 
 
Prof Dan Lubman 
Executive Clinical Director, Turning Point, Eastern Health 
Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre 
Professor of Addiction Studies and Services, Monash University

The tertiary education system in Australia can be very confusing. Differentiating between Grad Certs and Cert IV's, Diplomas and Degrees, competencies and qualifications, can be head spinning, and that's even before you start thinking about content.

This webinar will attempt to simplify and explain the qualifications required to work in the AOD sector in Victoria; what you need to do and where and how you can do it. In a sector that is largely unregulated, the pathways to evidence based practice are not always clearly delineated. This webinar is designed for managers and senior staff who want to upgrade their qualifications, advertise for new staff or provide professional development to their teams, as well as graduates and early career AOD workers who would like to understand the minimum qualifications required for working in the sector. The topics covered in this webinar will include:

• Qualifications, personal characteristics and life experience
• The Vocational Education Sector (VET) and the Victorian Minimum Qualification Strategy
• Degrees and Professional Training
• Specialist post graduate qualifications and PhD's
• Professional Development Courses and micro-credentials
• FAQ's

There will be an opportunity at the end of the webinar for participants to ask questions.

Presenter Dr Naomi Crafti has been the Workforce Development Manager at Turning Point for the past 8 years. Previously Naomi taught Psychology at Swinburne University. While recently stepping back into an academic teaching role, Naomi's parting gesture to Workforce Development is an attempt to summarise, simply, what she has learnt in this time about the educational requirements of the AOD workforce in Victoria. She hopes this webinar will be an opportunity for both current and future AOD workers to get the facts about tertiary qualifications in Victoria and encourage a culture of lifelong learning in the sector.

Date: Wednesday 2nd of December 2020 
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm AEST
Venue: Online
Cost: Free -  Connect & Learn is a free webinar series but registrations are essential
Registration: click here to register

Click here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list

Job Opportunity: Workforce Development Manager with Turning Point in Melbourne

 
Workforce Development Manager
Initial 2 year contract on offer
Attractive remuneration package


Turning Point is Australia's leading national addiction treatment, training and research centre and we seeks to transform the way society provides treatment, specialist care and support for those affected by addiction. We are a specialist alcohol and other drug and addictions organisation that integrates treatment and support services with research, education and training. Our unique service model ensures that research informs clinical practice and vice versa, resulting in a best practice environment. Turning Point is a Registered Training Organisation and is formally affiliated with Monash University in the delivery of higher education courses.

The role
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic organisation and to lead an established team of experienced education and training professionals. The scope of work undertaken by the team varies from the provision of single day workshops through to the delivery of AOD competencies at Certificate IV level and three year higher education courses at a Masters level. The team is active in the development and delivery of online courses and other innovative platforms and caters for the training needs of new entrants to the AOD sector as well as experience clinicians and sector leaders.

Key Selection Criteria

•  PhD or equivalent in a relevant area in education, health or social or behavioural sciences or other relevant area
•  Demonstrated experience in the design and delivery of complex education/ workforce development projects
•  Extensive experience in managing staff
•  Experience in managing compliance requirements in relation to Higher Education or RTO activities
•  Experience in teaching undergraduate or postgraduate students, including postgraduate research student supervision
•  Understanding of the AOD sector and the broader health system policy environment in Victoria and/or nationally

Contacts for further enquires

Associate Professor Vic Manning
Victoria.Manning@Monash.edu
03 8413 8724

Dr Kieran Connolly
Kieranc@turningpoint.org.au
03 8413 8403

The position description and information on the application process is available via this link
https://eh.mercury.com.au/ViewPosition.aspx?id=yEriQoxVcBw=&jbc=ere

Applications close on 23rd October 2020

The tertiary education system in Australia can be very confusing. Differentiating between Grad Certs and Cert IV's, Diplomas and Degrees, competencies and qualifications, can be head spinning, and that's even before you start thinking about content.

This webinar will attempt to simplify and explain the qualifications required to work in the AOD sector in Victoria; what you need to do and where and how you can do it. In a sector that is largely unregulated, the pathways to evidence based practice are not always clearly delineated. This webinar is designed for managers and senior staff who want to upgrade their qualifications, advertise for new staff or provide professional development to their teams, as well as graduates and early career AOD workers who would like to understand the minimum qualifications required for working in the sector. The topics covered in this webinar will include:

• Qualifications, personal characteristics and life experience
• The Vocational Education Sector (VET) and the Victorian Minimum Qualification Strategy
• Degrees and Professional Training
• Specialist post graduate qualifications and PhD's
• Professional Development Courses and micro-credentials
• FAQ's

There will be an opportunity at the end of the webinar for participants to ask questions.

Presenter Dr Naomi Crafti has been the Workforce Development Manager at Turning Point for the past 8 years. Previously Naomi taught Psychology at Swinburne University. While recently stepping back into an academic teaching role, Naomi's parting gesture to Workforce Development is an attempt to summarise, simply, what she has learnt in this time about the educational requirements of the AOD workforce in Victoria. She hopes this webinar will be an opportunity for both current and future AOD workers to get the facts about tertiary qualifications in Victoria and encourage a culture of lifelong learning in the sector.

Date: Wednesday 2nd of December 2020 
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm AEST
Venue: Online
Cost: Free -  Connect & Learn is a free webinar series but registrations are essential
Registration: click here to register

Click here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list

Addicted Australia - 2nd Episode Tonight on SBS (8.30pm AEDT)

Tonight is the second episode of the ground-breaking four-part documentary series, Addicted Australia. It should not be missed, so put it in your calendar and catch up on the first episode on 
SBS ON DEMAND.

The second episode (tonight at 8.30pm AEDT on SBS) will continue to follow ten clients, their clinicians, peer support group and families and friends through a six-month treatment journey led by Turning Point. It is an incredibly moving and personal piece of television that tells the real story of addiction. The series is rated Mature Audience (MA15+) with drug and alcohol themes present and is not suitable for people aged under 15 years. 
 
The first episode attracted a large national audience, ranking second in its time slot and generating significant buzz online and in the media. This has created an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the public conversation about addiction and its treatment. To seize this opportunity, Turning Point has facilitated the establishment of Rethink Addiction  an independent campaign comprising a group of like-minded organisations calling for a shift to Australia's attitude to addiction and treatment.

How you can help
 
1. The best way to support Rethink Addiction is to follow the campaign and sign the petition for change.
 
2. You can also help promote the series and the campaign among your network, family and friends by following and sharing the campaign on social media:
 
Facebook 
Twitter 
Instagram
 
3. Talk about the documentary and campaign with your friends, family, peers and networks to rally support and ensure as many people as possible watch the SBS series. 
 
4. Tell your Real Story about Addiction: Share a story about how addiction has touched your life. 
 
Together we can Rethink Addiction.
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
Prof Dan Lubman 
Executive Clinical Director, Turning Point, Eastern Health 
Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre 
Professor of Addiction Studies and Services, Monash University

Connect & Learn Webinar Series presents:

Working With People Who Use Family Violence During COVID-19

We are excited to announce our June webinar for 2020 in our Connect & Learn Webinar Series:
 

Working With People Who Use Family Violence During COVID-19

We are excited to announce our May webinar for 2020 in our Connect & Learn Webinar Series:

Telehealth Tips from Turning Point

Presenters: Vicky Phan, Mish Sim, Sally Brown  and
Naomi Crafti (Webinar Host)
Wednesday 20th May 2020 2pm to 3pm AEST  - Register here for webinar