South Australian peak body for Aboriginal health
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Business Improvement Group
The Business Improvement Group is an initiative of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) which involves Chief Executive Officers from all state/territory NACCHO affiliates. The intent of the Business Improvement Group is to share knowledge and information on current issues and trends at the national level, and to take this information back to the state/territory community control level. AHCSA’s CEO is represented on this group.
ICT/IM
During 2006-07, AHCSA received funds from OATSIH for Information Communication Technology and Information Management to improve information technology and the management of organisational records and information.
AHCSA upgraded the software and hardware related to the network server and is developing an IT and information management strategic plan in consultation with a number of stakeholders.
Governance Development & Board of Management Training
The Governance Training Program assists Boards to investigate ways to meet legal and financial responsibilities as well as community and family priorities in a culture based model.
The program consists of various on-site workshops which include orientation, promotion and mentoring tailored to meet the specific needs of the boards. It has been designed to recognise and build upon board members' experience, skills and qualifications.
Training materials include participant handbooks and facilitator guides developed around five key workshops:
Throughout the program, Boards also develop an induction strategy that clearly identifies the roles and responsibilities of members, a promotion strategy that assists with the board's relationship with the community and staff, and a mentoring program for new board members.
Governance training has been completed in three AHCSA member services and commenced in a further three.
A train-the-trainer program has also been developed and trialed with workshops being delivered to two of AHCSA’s member services.
Research has been undertaken to identify issues in the sector’s ‘concept’ of Strategic Governance and research into further strategic initiatives is continuing.
Other initiatives developed include the Train-the-Trainer, Governance Compliance Program (GCP) and Finance Workshop, and the development of the Governance web page. Sector extranet and generic policies are also being considered. In addition, an ongoing support process for boards has been in place for some time.
Aboriginal Health Sector Statewide Strategic Plan
The Aboriginal Health Sector Statewide Strategic Plan continues to drive the business of AHCSA in responding to the needs of its member services. The Plan is a living document which is referred to in a number of forums and other strategies including AHCSA’s 2007 to 2010 Strategic Plan.
AHCSA maintains regular contact with member services through site visits, email and telephone while addressing the Plan.
A number of other documents have been developed as a result of work completed on maintaining the Plan. These include the ’Leadership Document’ and the ’Communication Strategy’.
Future funding will ensure the continual implementation and annual review of the Aboriginal Health Sector Statewide Strategic Plan.