This page keeps you up to date with what's new in the 'Can Do' initiative. AGPN will regularly post updates related to 'Can Do' like accreditation, reporting, funding opportunities, interesting articles etc. Check back here regularly to see what's new!

Currently on the what's new page (click to jump to topic):

• 'Can Do' for Veterans - alternative case stories for population specific units available
• headspace and 'Can Do' for Young People, Familes and Carers
• 'Can Do' and Drug Action Week funding opportunity
• 'Can Do' Drug Action Week kits for divisions

'Can Do' for Veterans - alternative case stories for population specific units available - 17/06/08

Alternate case stories with a veteran specific focus have been developed for each of the population specific modules (excluding 'Can Do' for CALD people). These stories can be used instead of, or as well as, the case stories already provided for each unit.

These stories can be found under 'Can Do' for Veterans case stories and facilitators notes, or under the coordinator's manual and facilitator's guide for the relevant unit.

headspace and 'Can Do' for Young People, Families and Carers - 2/06/08

AGPN is please to offer headspace CYSs the opportunity to run 'Can Do' for Young People, Families and Carers. This three unit training package that seeks to improve the capacity of general practice and other health professionals to recognise and effectively respond to mental health and substance use issues in young people in their local community. The three units are titled:

• Young people, mental health and substance use –where do we start?
• Young people, mental health and substance use – how can we help?
• Families and carers – how do we support and include them?

AGPN will be offering headspace CYS coordinators and facilitators the opportunity to attend an orientation which will provide information and skills training to deliver the ‘Can Do’ for Young People, Families and Carers units.

More information about these orientations has been sent directly to headspace CYS coordinators, and regular updates will also be posted here.

'Can Do' and Drug Action Week funding opportunity - 9/05/08

AGPN has recieved sponsorship from Janssen Cilag and the Department of Veterans affairs to allow Divisions of General Practice to promote Drug Action Week in their local communities.

Drug Action Week is an initiative of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), funded through the Australian Government Department of health and Ageing and runs from 22nd to 28th June 2008. More information on Drug Action Week can be found online at www.drugactionweek.org.au.

This week is a fantastic opportunity for divisions to help promote awareness of alcohol and other drugs and to promote the role that divisions and GP practices play in supporting people in the community to improve their drug health. The theme for this year’s Drug Action Week is Alcohol is a drug too!

Divisions are encouraged to apply for Drug Action Week funding grants of up to $1000 to run an activity or event in their local community.

Divisions who wish to apply for funding for an activity must fulfill the following requirements:

• Provide an outline of the activity they plan to run.
• Register their activity with Drug Action Week at www.drugactionweek.org.au
• Demonstrate that they are collaborating with allied health colleagues (e.g. local mental health and/or alcohol and other drug services, community pharmacy, Veterans and Veterans Families Services) for their chosen activity.
• Develop a resource/contact list of local mental health and drug and alcohol services and distribute this at the activity.
• Run their event during Drug Action Week or in the week before or after it.
• Provide a breakdown of the funds required
• Provide a simple report about the success of the activity after the event.
  

More infomation on this fantastic opportunity is available in this AGPN Drug Action Week information sheet.

'Can Do' and Drug Action Week kits for divisions - 9/05/08

Divisions who successfully apply for Drug Action Week funding grants will automatically be sent a 'Can Do' and Drug Action Week kit. Divisions who are unsuccessful, or who are not applying but would still like a kit can request one by contacting the Senior Project Officer.

The kits will contain:

• Sample media release
• ‘In my life’ book of stories about families and carers of people with substance use issues
• ‘Another day’ book of stories of people living with schizophrenia
• Two brochures about GP services for people with mental health and substance use comorbidities targeted at consumers and health professionals
• Factsheets from Janssen-Cilag regarding educational opportunities available around mental health
• DVA resources: At Ease brochure and bookmark; VVCS brochure and VVCS mangnets