GONE ING The planning implementation and evaluation

GONE ING

The planning, implementation and evaluation of the Pike Place philosophy at Carrie’s Place

Lower Hunter Police Statistics 2007 NSW Police = 80 Local Area Commands (LAC) Local Area Police Command attends up to 350 domestic violence incidences per month and ranks: No 1 No 2 No 4 in D. V. assaults in breaches of ADVOs in sexual assaults in D. V. related malicious damage in D. V. related suicide / self harm in domestic homicide

Carrie’s Place Vision Women and children – violence free – independently

To increase the number of families in the Maitland surrounding areas who live independently, safe and free from abuse, addiction and reliance on government and non -government services. This will be achieved by developing and facilitating a holistic program which empowers women with / without dependent children from domestic/family violence backgrounds.

What does Carrie’s Place do? Crisis accommodation and support program for women with and without dependent children Child support program Medium term accommodation program for women with and without dependent children Women’s resource centre Community action/ education program

Service Delivery Model 2008 Refuge Women’s Centre

Organizational Chart 2008 Management Committee Manager Accountant Property Manager Outreach Centre Coordinator Indigenous Outreach Worker DVCAS Coordinator Court advocacy Worker Admin/court advocacy trainee Students Counsellors Comm. Dev. worker VET Worker Refuge Team Leader Women support workers Child Support workers Trainees Students Volunteers Work Placements Trainee Students Volunteers Work Placements

Internal Factors Stressful living / work environment Problem focus / sense of hopelessness Difficulties of communal living Lack of resources / space Worker burnout / vicarious trauma Low wages , high OH& S risks Complex needs clients

Internal Factors continued Committed and dynamic team Supportive management committee Culture of innovation and creativity

Rationale for üIndependent of external forces üParticipation of internal stakeholders only üPotential for quick improvement

Purpose of Create an environment of joy and light heartedness for service users and staff Create a sense of belonging for Carrie’s Place service users and staff Solidify positive team dynamics and staff morale Improve the sense of wellbeing to Carrie’s Place service users

The Philosophy Play Be There Make Their Day Choose Your Attitude

FISH Principle 1 Play

FISH Principle 2 Be there

FISH Principle 3 Make their day

FISH Principle 4 Choose your attitude

Planning to Team FISH training workshop Introduction Exploration Commitment Fishing for ideas

Monitoring Strategies Weekly staff meeting FISH facilitator roster Fun committee Client evaluation Worker evaluation Endorsement by management committee FISH philosophy included in recruitment Bright FISH posters in house and office Clients’ induction into FISH upon arrival

Samples of how to e om elc W o T ’s ie arr e C c Pla

And more

Evaluation of at Carrie’s Residents reported that: Their experience at Carrie’s Place was different to other refuges The workers happy / funny mood impacted positively on their experience The FISH activities were important to them and broke up the monotony They felt welcome and like they belonged

Sample Comments Vibrant and energetic It makes everybody feel special Nutty

And…. Positive and happy-go-lucky

Workers Evaluation Overall Clients Team / self

Modification Different strategies for different places Different activities for different places Be your own FISH idea champion Fish Fart

Continuous Improvement / Examples Regular evaluations Fish philosophy included in Carrie’s Place business plan Fish philosophy included in individual work plans Fish philosophy included in staff appraisals Standing item on Management meeting agenda

Strength Theory Katrina’s Experience Empowerment • My perception of how FISH affects clients Re • What sou r ces ili b s ie t Internal Interpersonal Environmental pa my future FISH means Ca to s Re ie silienc ssibilit Po e Hope practice Choice How client defines life and problems Level of desire to deal with problems How client wants to implement change

ook utl o Prod ve iti Motivation em ste f-e el S Po Confidence sit ive O ut co m es Toleranc e Self-resp ect Pos Commitme uctiv nt ity Emotio nal Hea lth Stress levels Mo rale lth a He l en M ta Energy Job sat isfactio n

Strengths and FISH! philosophy Everybody has strengths irrespective of their situation Workers roles are to empower individuals FISH! allows a broader and more creative understanding of how strengths theory can be applied to human services

Strengths and FISH! philosophy FISH! works so well because it uses the strengths people already have. FISH! helps them to see the strengths they didn’t know they had Creates opportunities to learn new strengths It reinforces the good - every day, not just once a day, but all day long