Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Program for Rural and Remote Aboriginal Health and Community Workers

This is a capacity building project involving Aboriginal workforce development, partnerships and identification of local injury prevention projects in the Far West Region of New South Wales.

Aims

Over 18 months the project aims to:

  • develop a practical injury prevention and safety promotion training package for rural and remote Aboriginal health and community workers
  • develop partnerships between Aboriginal health and community workers and other health professionals and service deliverers across a range of government departments, non-government organisations and Aboriginal communities
  • build the capacity of Aboriginal health and community workers in prioritising safety in organisations and Aboriginal communities to prevent injury and
  • support the implementation of locally identified injury prevention projects.

Methods

  • On the commencement of the program the three partners will meet with key community stakeholders to inform the community and mobilise further local collaboration for the program.
  • The training package materials will be developed within the first three months of the program commencing and the training will be conducted as soon as is practical after this (4-5 months after program commencing).
  • The workshop outline and resources developed will be presented at a community meeting to ensure that the format and content is appropriate and acceptable for all participants attending. Within the training package a module will be presented that includes practical skills development in developing and sustaining cross sector collaborations, networks and partnerships as well as training in leadership and advocacy.
  • The program will develop skills within the local workforce to not only identify risks but also implement strategies to manage these risks. Importantly, the training package proposed will include both a face-to-face training workshop and a practical component: training and resources to develop and implement small injury prevention projects within the community. An integral part of the training therefore is the development and implementation of locally identified injury prevention projects. These will be planned and implemented over a period of 12 months by trainees with the support and mentorship of the Program organisers.

Status/Results:

The project commenced in November 2006. Formal agreements have been signed between the collaborators and the training is planned for July 2007. Community consultation is ongoing.

Institute Investigators:

  • Marilyn Lyford

Funding Agencies:

Program Collaboration: