Deakin/DH/DHS Strategic Alliance Past, present and future

1. Deakin/DH/DHS Strategic Alliance Past, present and future Alliance Executive meeting – 6 May 2011 Deakin University, Geelong-Waterfront

2. Barwon-South Western Region Note: Colac-Otway is included in both the Great South Coast and G21 Sub-regions

3. Past • Initiated in 1998 • Identification of regional and rural public health needs • Recognition of potential mutual benefits to both organisations • Desire to respond through building capacity to meet identified needs • Aligning community, government and higher education priorities • Shared geographic region

4. A Decade of Achievements 1998 -2007 • Alliance was used as a lever to bring in significant research funds • Establishment of Deakin WHO Sentinel Site for Obesity • Annual public health forums • Long term value was proven

5. A period of review and evaluation • 2006 • a year long review of the Alliance • Professor Judith Ramaley (Winona State University President, US) led workshops on successful community / higher education partnerships • 2007 • Signing of an MOU • Launch of a new Business Plan • 2008 • Establishment of Advisory groups – teaching / workforce; health and wellbeing; research; and, public health forums • Introduction of “Beacon projects” – National Centre for Farmers Health Launch and Conference, Workforce Development, Corio and Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal • 2009 • Mid-term evaluation of Business Plan • Significant executive and partnership team changes • Review of Advisory Group and Beacon Project activity data • Reflective workshop led by Professor Judith Ramaley (United States)

6. Deakin/DH/DHS Strategic Alliance (BSW Region): Revised Model (October 2009)

7. Alliance Budget / Resources

8. Current Mission The Alliance between Deakin University and the Departments of Health and Human Services works to enhance and protect the health and social wellbeing of all people living in the Barwon-South Western Region. The Alliance members work to support each other in conducting each organisation’s core business.

9. Current Governance • Executive members • Deakin - John Catford, John Toumbourou • DH - Chris Faulkner, John Hedditch • DHS – Anne Congleton • Alliance team members • Partnership project officer – Chris Loughnan (0.6 FTE - funded by Alliance budget) • Deakin - Anita Peerson (funded 0.5 FTE by Deakin and 0.1 FTE by DH) • DH - Kay Mills (funded 0.4 FTE by DH) • DHS • Key issues: significant changes to Executive membership during 2011 and to leadership of Advisory Groups; review of Alliance team structures and associated arrangements

10. Community Capacity-Building AG • Aim: To ensure a diverse range of mechanisms can be explored and supported to increase individuals’, organisations’ and communities’ ability to work sustainably together, addressing key local issues in the Barwon South West Region • Chair: Professor Sue Kilpatrick (DU) ( replacement to be appointed) • Deputy Chair: Sue Morgan (DH, BSW Region) • Activities • Workshop: Best Practice in BSW Capacity Building – Camperdown 23 March 2011 • Public health forums – G21 PCP, SW PCP, SGG PCP • Peter Quail oration – 2011 • Key issues for 2011: Identify a replacement chairperson; undertake an impact evaluation follow up on the recent Community Capacity Building Workshop; reconvene Advisory Group to review community capacity building progress and direction.

11. Workforce Development AG • Aim: to build strategic partnerships to coordinate and support key health and community service sector workforce planning initiatives across the Barwon South West Region • Chair: John Hedditch (DH, BSW Region) • Deputy Chair: Bernie Marshall (DU) • Activities • Collaborative Steering Committee established 2010 (30+ members) • Discussion paper: Creating a local environment for innovation and reform (April 2011) • Supporting BSW Clinical Placement Network; Allied Health Leaders Council; Nursing Executive Network; BSW Pathways initiatives • Workshop 1: Workforce innovation and reform - Camperdown, 14 April 2011. Two further workshops planned for 2011. • Key Issues for 2011: Strengthening partnerships with HWA, central DH and DHS; Creating a BSW Innovation and Reform Think Tank; Creating shared understandings; Reviewing service models and configurations; Developing BSW Workforce Strategy & Action Plan; Advocating for support resources.

12. Research/Evidence/Evaluation AG • Aim: to foster innovative and collaborative research activity at Deakin University that aligns with the strategic objectives of Deakin University, DH and DHS, and the G21 and Great South Coast communities. • Chair: Professor John Toumbourou DU) • Deputy Chair: Shelley Bowen (DH) (replacement required) • Activities • Handover from Associate Professor Mardie Townsend to Professor John Toumbourou (DU) (April 2011) • Linkages with Deakin Partnerships (Health ) office / L Friebel • Key Issues for 2011: Development of a BSW regional research and evaluation program for the health and community services sector.

13. Outside the Advisory Groups • BSW Early start cluster – obesity prevention initiative • Epworth @ Waurn Ponds • Regional Research and Information Centre • G21 Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative • Many others

14. Future Challenges Short term 2011 • Managing Alliance transitions – executive, advisory groups, team • Clarifying Alliance purpose, priorities, roles and responsibilities, resource contributions, and team arrangements • Develop new MOU Medium term 2012 – 15 • Linking future effort with identified community needs - supporting initiatives related to G21 and Great South Coast regional strategic plans • Taking opportunities to engage with national and Victorian reform initiatives • Staying innovative, strategic and tactical – nurture and develop good ideas • Strengthening partnerships and building capacity to attract supporting resources • Continually managing the Alliance team load – initiate, mainstream, re-prioritise

15. Discussion