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July 2004 Forums move partnership projects further forward
More than 60 delegates took part in the fifth biannual Partnerships Forum to discuss initiatives to improve the relationship between the Department of Human Services and community sector organisations. Speakers at the forum included Department Secretary Patricia Faulkner and co-chairs of the Human Services Partnership Implementation Committee (HSPIC)—Victorian Council of Social Service Chief Executive Officer Cath Smith and Loddon Mallee Region Regional Director Terry Garwood. Ms Faulkner discussed the progress of a range of initiatives to further the Department/sector relationship, including partnership training for Department staff and the 2003 Partnership Survey. Ms Smith and Mr Garwood provided an overview of the committee’s work this year, in particular the development of the draft Collaboration and Consultation Protocol and a joint workplan outlining priorities for 2004. Kindergarten Parents Association of Victoria CEO Gerard Mansour and Department Operations Division Executive Director Pam White outlined the draft Collaboration and Consultation Protocol. Development of the Protocol followed identification by the community sector of the need for the Department to improve consultation processes. This was also an area identified for improvement by agencies in the Partnership Survey, conducted in June, 2003. The HSPIC will use Forum feedback to finalise the Protocol for endorsement by the Department Executive and the sector. • For more information about Partnership initiatives email the Partnership Team at partnership.project@dhs.vic.gov.au or visit http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/pdpd/partnership/. |
