Suchergebnisse

The aim of this report is to inform and enhance the disability policy development and implementation process in NSW. It is a compilation of the key information and evidence sources in the disability policy area. The report contains information on key journals, publications, research and academic bodies undertaking evidence based research, key data sources, listing of selected peak bodies, and listing of government disability agencies.

Without appropriate support, people with mental illness can be excluded from stable housing and social and community participation. Transitional models of support for people with acute mental illness have addressed clinical symptoms and hospitalisation, but they have not facilitated stable housing and community integration. In contrast, individualised housing models aim to improve mental health, housing and community outcomes. These programs are costly and require collaboration between agencies. This article discusses the evaluation findings of one such program – the NSW Mental Health Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI). The longitudinal mixed‐method evaluation assessed whether HASI supported people with high levels of psychiatric disability to improve housing, mental health and community participation. We discuss the challenges clients within the program faced prior to joining HASI and the changes experienced while in HASI. We conclude by drawing policy implications for programs supporting people with mental illness to live in the community.

The Queensland Premier established the Hostel Industry Taskforce (HIT) in 2000 to oversee the implementation of a reform package for the private residential services (PRS) sector. The aim of the reforms was to improve the quality of life of residents by improving residents' safety, residential amenity and services, residency rights and access to external support services. Senior Executives of the Queensland Government Residential Services Reforms Committee recommended that research be undertaken to support service planning for the residents in PRS. The intent of the research is to determine the need for government and non-government support services among people living in PRS. The University of New South Wales Consortium was engaged to conduct this research. This research focuses on the support service use and needs of people living in PRS and similar groups of people. Chamberlain's (1999) research suggests their needs are similar in a number of important respects to those of people who are homeless. A considerable number of people in PRS tend to cycle in and out of homelessness and temporary accommodation. For both groups, key vulnerabilities include mental illness, psychiatric disability, chronic illness and addiction (Decker et. al., 2006).