❓ A WA parliamentary question scrutinizes the government's decision to outsource the Suicide Prevention Strategy implementation to Centrecare, a not-for-profit, raising concerns about effectiveness, coordination, and funding allocation.
AnsweredQoN 6136Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 2012-13 State Budget papers at page 869, 'Suicide Prevention Strategy', and ask —
(1) Why has the implementation of the Suicide Prevention Strategy been given to a not-for-profit organisation – Centrecare to oversee, as opposed to a government agency?
(2) When was Centrecare engaged to in this role?
(3) Was Centrecare engaged to prepare the Community Action Plans, and if yes, when?
(4) How many Community Actions Plans have been completed by Centrecare?
(5) How much has Centrecare received in government funding to date since it was engaged to undertake this work?
(6) What is the duration of Centrecare's contract with Government?
(7) How much is Centrecare funded annually under the contract?
(8) How many full time equivalents within Centrecare are engaged in the work of —
(a) finalising Community Actions Plans; and
(b) implementing the Suicide Prevention Strategy?
(9) The Suicide Prevention Strategy was launched in late 2009, it is now 2011, how many Community Action Plans have been developed and for which communities?
(10) Will the Minister table the Community Actions Plans, and if not, why not?
(11) The Suicide Prevention Strategy provides at page 8 that 'the issue of suicide requires a comprehensive whole of government and whole of community approach. This approach depends on consistent and effective coordination and communication between a range of services and agencies. This strategy provides the foundational framework for the State government to coordinate and invest in suicide prevention strategies at all levels in the community', and I ask —
(a) how can a not-for-profit body develop a comprehensive whole of government and whole of community approach;
(b) would this task not be better managed by a government agency;
(c) is the fact that this task has been given to a not-for-profit organisation a significant factor for the time being taken in developing Community Action Plans;
(d) as the statement states that the strategies (including Community Action Plans) ought to be coordinated by the State government, why has the State government engaged Centrecare to undertake this work; and
(e) government agencies find it difficult enough to coordinate government responses to issues and to provide a whole of government response/approach to an issue, how can Centrecare be expected to coordinate government agencies or, if needed, to influence a change of direction with government agencies?
(12) How many Community Action Plans have been prepared or are in the process of being prepared for the South West (SW) (please list the community action plans and the current status of the plans)?
(13) Who has been engaged to prepare the SW Community Action Plans?
(14) What is the current status of each of the Community Action Plans being prepared for the SW region?
(15) Which stakeholders are being consulted in the development of the Community Action Plans for the SW region?
(16) When will each of the Community Action Plans for the SW region be released publicly?
(17) Is it necessary for a Community Action Plan to be developed before a community can access the funding under the Suicide Prevention Strategy?
(18) How much of the Suicide Prevention Strategy funding —
(a) has been spent to date;
(b) to whom has it been allocated; and
(c) for what purpose?
(19) How much of the Suicide Prevention Strategy funding has been spent on the preparation of the Community Action Plans and how much has been spent on initiatives to prevent suicide?
(20) Was a business case prepared for the $13 million in funding?
(21) If yes to (20), will the Minister table the business plan, and if not, why not?
(22) Is a business plan required to access funding under the strategy?
(23) If yes to (22), will the Minister table all business plans which have resulted in a funding allocation, and if not, why not?
(24) What evaluation will be undertaken of initiatives funded under the Suicide Prevention Strategy to determine the success or otherwise of the initiatives and the outcomes realised?
(25) In relation to (24), will the Minister table the evaluation, and if not, why not?
(26) Of the 80 organisations signed up for the One Life pledge, how many of these are based in the SW (please provide a list of these organisations/agencies)?
(1) Why has the implementation of the Suicide Prevention Strategy been given to a not-for-profit organisation – Centrecare to oversee, as opposed to a government agency?
(2) When was Centrecare engaged to in this role?
(3) Was Centrecare engaged to prepare the Community Action Plans, and if yes, when?
(4) How many Community Actions Plans have been completed by Centrecare?
(5) How much has Centrecare received in government funding to date since it was engaged to undertake this work?
(6) What is the duration of Centrecare's contract with Government?
(7) How much is Centrecare funded annually under the contract?
(8) How many full time equivalents within Centrecare are engaged in the work of —
(a) finalising Community Actions Plans; and
(b) implementing the Suicide Prevention Strategy?
(9) The Suicide Prevention Strategy was launched in late 2009, it is now 2011, how many Community Action Plans have been developed and for which communities?
(10) Will the Minister table the Community Actions Plans, and if not, why not?
(11) The Suicide Prevention Strategy provides at page 8 that 'the issue of suicide requires a comprehensive whole of government and whole of community approach. This approach depends on consistent and effective coordination and communication between a range of services and agencies. This strategy provides the foundational framework for the State government to coordinate and invest in suicide prevention strategies at all levels in the community', and I ask —
(a) how can a not-for-profit body develop a comprehensive whole of government and whole of community approach;
(b) would this task not be better managed by a government agency;
(c) is the fact that this task has been given to a not-for-profit organisation a significant factor for the time being taken in developing Community Action Plans;
(d) as the statement states that the strategies (including Community Action Plans) ought to be coordinated by the State government, why has the State government engaged Centrecare to undertake this work; and
(e) government agencies find it difficult enough to coordinate government responses to issues and to provide a whole of government response/approach to an issue, how can Centrecare be expected to coordinate government agencies or, if needed, to influence a change of direction with government agencies?
(12) How many Community Action Plans have been prepared or are in the process of being prepared for the South West (SW) (please list the community action plans and the current status of the plans)?
(13) Who has been engaged to prepare the SW Community Action Plans?
(14) What is the current status of each of the Community Action Plans being prepared for the SW region?
(15) Which stakeholders are being consulted in the development of the Community Action Plans for the SW region?
(16) When will each of the Community Action Plans for the SW region be released publicly?
(17) Is it necessary for a Community Action Plan to be developed before a community can access the funding under the Suicide Prevention Strategy?
(18) How much of the Suicide Prevention Strategy funding —
(a) has been spent to date;
(b) to whom has it been allocated; and
(c) for what purpose?
(19) How much of the Suicide Prevention Strategy funding has been spent on the preparation of the Community Action Plans and how much has been spent on initiatives to prevent suicide?
(20) Was a business case prepared for the $13 million in funding?
(21) If yes to (20), will the Minister table the business plan, and if not, why not?
(22) Is a business plan required to access funding under the strategy?
(23) If yes to (22), will the Minister table all business plans which have resulted in a funding allocation, and if not, why not?
(24) What evaluation will be undertaken of initiatives funded under the Suicide Prevention Strategy to determine the success or otherwise of the initiatives and the outcomes realised?
(25) In relation to (24), will the Minister table the evaluation, and if not, why not?
(26) Of the 80 organisations signed up for the One Life pledge, how many of these are based in the SW (please provide a list of these organisations/agencies)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 November 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
44 days
1. The Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention has responsibility for implementation of the Strategy with Centrecare providing Secretariat support. This is in line with Government policy as outlined in the Western Australia Suicide Prevention Strategy 2009-2013.
2. Centrecare signed their contract on 11 August 2010.
3. Centrecare works in collaboration with local Community Coordinators and Assistant Network Coordinators to prepare Community Action Plans (CAPs). The process of developing and implementing CAPs is ongoing.
4. CAPs are dynamic plans and their implementation is ongoing in individual communities.
5. Funding includes two program components: 1) staffing and program administration, and 2) funding to communities for the development and implementation of CAPs. Between July 2010 and June 2012, Centrecare has received $1,045,000 in government funding for component 1) and $4,275,000 for component 2).
6. From 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2013 with the option to extend for a further two periods of twelve months each.
7. Base funding is for staffing and program administration with an annual cash-flowed amount for the development and implementation of CAPs.
8.a-b) Five (5) FTE. The Executive Manager, two Network Coordinators, an Agency Coordinator and a Contract Administrative Officer are involved with Community Action Plans, Agency Action Plans and implementing the Strategy.
9.
Please see tabled papers [....]
10. No. As mentioned under Question 4 above, CAPs are dynamic and therefore, it would be administratively burdensome and of no utility in tabling the CAPs. It would be more beneficial to contact Centrecare's OneLife WA Suicide Prevention Strategy team directly regarding individual CAPs.
11.a) The Mental Health Commissioner is an ex-officio member of the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention (the Council) and the Mental Health Commission (the Commission) works closely with the Council in regard to the whole of government and whole of community approach. The Commission has the lead role in mental health reform across State Government agencies.
b) No.
c) No
d) See response to 11 a). above.
e) See response to 11 a) above.
12-14. Currently there are four CAPs operating in the South West region:
· LAMP Inc hosts a CAP Coordinator who is working with a local Suicide Prevention, Health and Wellbeing Committee to implement the Shire of Busselton and Margaret River/Shire of Augusta-Margaret River CAP with the local Health and Wellbeing Committee. Extensive community consultation and planning has occurred for activities targeting youth, community engagement forums and suicide prevention training and awareness.
· The Nannup Community Resource Centre hosts a Community Coordinator to implement the Nannup CAP with the local Community Committee. Activities include: forums at Men's Sheds and Men's Pit Stops to raise awareness and reduce stigma; local media on suicide prevention initiatives such as the Black Dog Ride; the Brain Ambulance running Brain Bitz education sessions; and suicide prevention helplines being included in the local community telephone directory.
· ICCWA is delivering education and training in the SW and has an Assistant Network Coordinator supporting development of CAPs in Bunbury, Busselton, Blackwood, Leeuwin, Leschenault, Warren and Wellington.
· The Bunbury CAP hosted by South West Vet Link is commencing the consultation and planning phase and a Community Coordinator has been identified.
15. The following stakeholders have been contacted in the SW:
1. South West Mental Health Services
2. Community health services
3. Local medical centres
4. Individual General Practitioners
5. Individual private clinicians
6. South West Counselling Services
7. School Chaplains including the South West Coordinator
8. Church organisations
9. School principals in the region
10. School health nurses
11. Local Government
12. State Government members for the region
13. Non government organisations including youth, mental health, family, employment, social services
14. GP Down South
15. Educational support services - government and non-government
16. Department of Education
17. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
18. Department for Child Protection
19. Rotary
20. Lions Club
21. Independent community members
22. Bank managers
23. Regional hospital representatives
24. Regional police
25. Local business people
26. Farming community
27. Department for Communities
28. Housing organisations - government and non-government
29. Silver Chain
30. Employment organisations
31. Apprenticeship organisations
32. TAFE
33. Advocacy South West
34. Accord-west
35. Waratah Sexual Assault Referral and Counselling
16. See response to 10 above.
17. No.
18-19 As of 2 October 2012, $9,425,970.57 has been committed to host organisations for the development and implementation of CAPs.
20. Yes.
21. The Business Plan is publicly available on the One Life website:
http://www.onelifewa.com.au/business-plan.html
22. No. Centrecare, in supporting the MCSP, works with local communities and at-risk groups to develop Community Action Plan (CAPs) proposals. These proposals are aligned with the Action Areas of the Strategy. The CAPs are presented to the MCSP for consideration and recommendations are made to the Minister for Mental Health for final funding approval.
23. Not applicable.
24. The evaluation framework is outlined in detail on pages 7 and 8 of the WA Suicide Prevention Strategy Business Plan 2010-11, which is readily available on the One Life website:
http://www.onelifewa.com.au/business-plan.html
25. This will be considered by the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention following completion of the evaluation.
26. As of 5 October 2012, there are 143 community organisations and businesses formally committed to the Strategy. Ten are based in the SW: Enable Southwest Inc., Lamp Inc., Koombana Health Network, Nannup Country Women's Association, Nannup Hair Salon, Noonooda Garden, Nannup Pharmacy, Friends of the Blackwood, Nannup Playgroup and the Good Food Shop.
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2. Centrecare signed their contract on 11 August 2010.
3. Centrecare works in collaboration with local Community Coordinators and Assistant Network Coordinators to prepare Community Action Plans (CAPs). The process of developing and implementing CAPs is ongoing.
4. CAPs are dynamic plans and their implementation is ongoing in individual communities.
5. Funding includes two program components: 1) staffing and program administration, and 2) funding to communities for the development and implementation of CAPs. Between July 2010 and June 2012, Centrecare has received $1,045,000 in government funding for component 1) and $4,275,000 for component 2).
6. From 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2013 with the option to extend for a further two periods of twelve months each.
7. Base funding is for staffing and program administration with an annual cash-flowed amount for the development and implementation of CAPs.
8.a-b) Five (5) FTE. The Executive Manager, two Network Coordinators, an Agency Coordinator and a Contract Administrative Officer are involved with Community Action Plans, Agency Action Plans and implementing the Strategy.
9.
Please see tabled papers [....]
10. No. As mentioned under Question 4 above, CAPs are dynamic and therefore, it would be administratively burdensome and of no utility in tabling the CAPs. It would be more beneficial to contact Centrecare's OneLife WA Suicide Prevention Strategy team directly regarding individual CAPs.
11.a) The Mental Health Commissioner is an ex-officio member of the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention (the Council) and the Mental Health Commission (the Commission) works closely with the Council in regard to the whole of government and whole of community approach. The Commission has the lead role in mental health reform across State Government agencies.
b) No.
c) No
d) See response to 11 a). above.
e) See response to 11 a) above.
12-14. Currently there are four CAPs operating in the South West region:
· LAMP Inc hosts a CAP Coordinator who is working with a local Suicide Prevention, Health and Wellbeing Committee to implement the Shire of Busselton and Margaret River/Shire of Augusta-Margaret River CAP with the local Health and Wellbeing Committee. Extensive community consultation and planning has occurred for activities targeting youth, community engagement forums and suicide prevention training and awareness.
· The Nannup Community Resource Centre hosts a Community Coordinator to implement the Nannup CAP with the local Community Committee. Activities include: forums at Men's Sheds and Men's Pit Stops to raise awareness and reduce stigma; local media on suicide prevention initiatives such as the Black Dog Ride; the Brain Ambulance running Brain Bitz education sessions; and suicide prevention helplines being included in the local community telephone directory.
· ICCWA is delivering education and training in the SW and has an Assistant Network Coordinator supporting development of CAPs in Bunbury, Busselton, Blackwood, Leeuwin, Leschenault, Warren and Wellington.
· The Bunbury CAP hosted by South West Vet Link is commencing the consultation and planning phase and a Community Coordinator has been identified.
15. The following stakeholders have been contacted in the SW:
1. South West Mental Health Services
2. Community health services
3. Local medical centres
4. Individual General Practitioners
5. Individual private clinicians
6. South West Counselling Services
7. School Chaplains including the South West Coordinator
8. Church organisations
9. School principals in the region
10. School health nurses
11. Local Government
12. State Government members for the region
13. Non government organisations including youth, mental health, family, employment, social services
14. GP Down South
15. Educational support services - government and non-government
16. Department of Education
17. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
18. Department for Child Protection
19. Rotary
20. Lions Club
21. Independent community members
22. Bank managers
23. Regional hospital representatives
24. Regional police
25. Local business people
26. Farming community
27. Department for Communities
28. Housing organisations - government and non-government
29. Silver Chain
30. Employment organisations
31. Apprenticeship organisations
32. TAFE
33. Advocacy South West
34. Accord-west
35. Waratah Sexual Assault Referral and Counselling
16. See response to 10 above.
17. No.
18-19 As of 2 October 2012, $9,425,970.57 has been committed to host organisations for the development and implementation of CAPs.
20. Yes.
21. The Business Plan is publicly available on the One Life website:
http://www.onelifewa.com.au/business-plan.html
22. No. Centrecare, in supporting the MCSP, works with local communities and at-risk groups to develop Community Action Plan (CAPs) proposals. These proposals are aligned with the Action Areas of the Strategy. The CAPs are presented to the MCSP for consideration and recommendations are made to the Minister for Mental Health for final funding approval.
23. Not applicable.
24. The evaluation framework is outlined in detail on pages 7 and 8 of the WA Suicide Prevention Strategy Business Plan 2010-11, which is readily available on the One Life website:
http://www.onelifewa.com.au/business-plan.html
25. This will be considered by the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention following completion of the evaluation.
26. As of 5 October 2012, there are 143 community organisations and businesses formally committed to the Strategy. Ten are based in the SW: Enable Southwest Inc., Lamp Inc., Koombana Health Network, Nannup Country Women's Association, Nannup Hair Salon, Noonooda Garden, Nannup Pharmacy, Friends of the Blackwood, Nannup Playgroup and the Good Food Shop.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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