The COPMI initiative

The Commonwealth Government has allocated funding to AICAFMHA until mid 2004 to develop guidelines and principles for services and workers and complementary resource materials for services/workers, parents and young people.  The key tenets of the initiative are

• Consumer consultation and participation
• Collaboration with existing networks and stakeholders
• Regular communication with key stakeholders
• Quality, evidence based resource outcomes, and
• Promotion of collaboration between sectors/services. 

Thanks

As the newly appointed Project Manager for this national initiative, I?d like to thank those of you who I?ve been in contact with so far for your patience and assistance as I ?find my feet?.  I?ve been very impressed by the energy for the issue that has been expressed so far by all of you and I look forward to sharing in and contributing to that continued effort over the next two years.   

Holding It All Together Conference

Like many of you, I?m looking forward to the Holding It All Together conference in Melbourne from April 21st-24th, as it will give me a chance to meet and learn from many people involved in meeting the challenges for children and families where parents have a mental illness.  Phil Robinson and Sue Garvin from AICAFMHA and Paola Mason from COMIC will join me in running four COPMI consultation sessions at the conference.  There will be a session tailored for each group of participants ? Young People, Carers, Consumers and Professionals - and I would urge as many of you as can attend to do so and ?have your say?.  Mystery prizes will be awarded at each consultation session! 

Other Consultations

The project aims to use a range of other consultation strategies that will vary according to what is most appropriate for participants.  A COPMI National Consultation Group is also currently being formed which will ensure we maintain communication with key stakeholder groups in every State and Territory in Australia.  I hope to bring you more news about that next month. 

Reference Group

A Reference Group of 12 people from around Australia who are either leaders in the field or represent key groups such as consumers and GPs will also support, guide and advise the COPMI project partners.  This group will hold its first meeting at the ?Holding It All Together? conference but will otherwise meet by teleconference every 6-8 weeks. 

Last but not least

I aim to place an update on the AICAFMHA website on a fortnightly basis throughout the project and would welcome any feedback you may like to give.  This site will be used both to keep you informed and to seek your input into the project so please check when each update is notified.  

Elizabeth Fudge
Project Manager,
COPMI Initiative
Ph (08) 8161 6859
Fax (08) 81616983
fudgee@wch.sa.gov.au

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