PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
The project is funded through the Tasmanian Illicit Drugs Diversion Initiative (IDDI) program and commenced in January 2007. The project aims to plan, implement and evaluate a structured professional development program for accredited IDDI service providers working in Tasmanian non-government organisations.
The project is designed to generate outcomes at sector, organisational and individual levels. At the sector level, the project will assist in clarifying the skill sets required for professional IDDI practice in the range of services provided by NGOs, and will facilitate the development of a sector-wide approach to qualifications (and related classifications) frameworks. At the organisational level, the project will assist participating NGOs to assess their current approaches to professional development and to develop appropriate responses where existing approaches are deficient. At an individual level, the project will increase the number and diversity of relevant education and training options available to IDDI workers, will assist in the development of individualised professional development plans, and strengthen the peer-network of IDDI workers by encouraging participation in regular regional and statewide forums and training events.
The project will intersect with the related Clinical Supervision project in a range of ways in seeking to improve the professional practice of IDDI workers in participating NGOs.

CLINICAL SUPERVISION PROJECT
The clinical supervision project began in January 2007 and is funded through the Tasmanian IDDI program and aims to improve the practice of the workforce through ensuring that treatment workers have access to regular and evaluated clinical supervision sessions. In January 2007, an evaluation plan was developed. Key performance indicators (KPIs) were devised to measure both process and outcomes and are particular to each stage of the project.

The project has three distinct goals and stages. The following is a brief guide to the critical stages of the project:

• a) STAGE ONE - Environmental scan of the resources (people and organisations) central to the project. Establishment of baseline figures as well as qualitative information on the types of work, qualifications of each treatment worker. Moreover, general introduction of the project and orientation of the sector.
• b) STAGE TWO - The development of a framework for the delivery of clinical supervision. this involves determining the models for provision, policies and protocols and developing an overall vision for the project. This part of the project will employ a reference group to provide guidance over particular aspects of the framework. It is envisaged that a core document/resource will be produced that will outline the key components of the clinical supervision program.
• c) STAGE THREE - Pre-implementation of that framework. This stage commences concurrently with b). This stage starts with the orientation of the sector to shared understandings and language of clinical supervision, as well as a recruitment drive for supervisors, and the gathering of detailed information regarding supervisees and their professional development needs. This section concludes with training provided for supervisors and supervisees. This training will be sourced from an external provider who will orient individuals to the program.
• d) STAGE FOUR - Implementation of clinical supervision. This involves the matching of supervisees to supervisors. Both parties must have choice in this process. This is followed by facilitating the process and ensuring that evaluation occurs and that protocols are followed.
• e) STAGE FIVE - The production of an evaluation report in May 2008 concludes the project.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
This project will see the establishment of an NGO sector continuous quality improvement system incorporated into the Tasmanian ATOD field. Project implementation will contribute to continuous quality improvement of clinical, organisational management and governance practice in non-government ATOD services.
The proposed model draws upon the Western Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Sector Quality Framework jointly developed by the Drug and Alcohol Office and WANADA and funded in part by the AER Foundation. The proponents of this proposal have discussed the utilisation of the WA Quality Framework with both WANADA and DOA and received offers of verbal and written support to assist in the initial stages of the project.
The project plan outlines two major phases. The first phase will involve adapting the Western Australian model to the Tasmanian context. The second and major phase will involve the staged implementation of the Quality Framework to NGO ATOD agencies. As with the West Australian approach, an initial group of agencies (approximately four) will form a “community of practice” through a peer support network for each other, and mentor support to the next group of agencies.
A comprehensive evaluation strategy will be incorporated into the project from planning to completion with mechanisms in place to ensure key milestones are reached and project processes are mapped for future learning.

Internal Evaluation Discussion Paper now available on the "Publications and Resources" page

CROSS SECTORIAL SUPPORT AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS (CSSSP) PROJECT

The Cross Sectorial Support and Strategic Partnerships (CSSSP) Project began in February 2008 and runs until December 2008.  It has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing through the COAG Mental Health Improved Services Initiative.

There are two distinct components to the Improved Services Initiative:

• Improved Services Grants - funding of up to $56 million provided to AOD NGO’s across Australia to assist them to better identify and treat co-morbid substance abuse disorders and mental illness. In Tasmania, six organisations around the state have been funded.

1. Cross Sectorial Support and Strategic Partnerships Project –funding for Peak bodies or equivalent in each state and territory (including ATDC Inc) were funded in the second component. The ATDC Cross Sectorial Support and Strategic Partnerships (CSSSP) Project has four key objectives in which to assist Improved Service Grant Recipients and by extension strengthen the non-government ATOD sector in Tasmania. These include:
   • Building linkages and strategic partnerships;
   • Assisting ATOD NGO’s to undertake organisational change;
   • Identifying and facilitating training opportunities;
   • Disseminate targeted information and resources relevant to the identification and management of co-morbidity.

The following resources are available on the "Publications & Resources" page:

• Co-morbidity Program Connections Diagram (PDF).
• NSW Co-morbidity Framework for action (PDF)
• Link to NCETA Co-morbidity Professional Development Scholarships website
• Link to Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Canada) website
• Link to Dual Diagnosis Australia and New Zealand website

For more information about this project in Tasmania, please contact Policy and Project Officer, Kim McAnally, at kimm@atdc.org.au.