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February 2012
Welcome to the first Brotherhood Update for 2012. The year began with social inclusion as the subject of much media debate. The importance for more effectively connected services was apparent. Less clear was its key role in achieving a better integration of economic and social policy in Australia.
On the policy front, the Research and Policy Centre convened the Inclusive Growth in Australia roundtable last October, gathering key people from universities, government, business, unions and the community sector to examine reforms that would assist all to benefit from economic growth.
In November the head of the Business Council of Australia, Jennifer Westacott, gave our keynote Sambell Oration on ‘Sharing Prosperity’, saying that the key dilemma is creating a labour market that supports international competitiveness and wealth creation while providing meaningful and well-paid employment for all who want it.
And on-the-ground, the research evaluation of the Brotherhood’s nationwide Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) highlights it as a great example of social inclusion, finding substantial improvement in the literacy and numeracy skills of the disadvantaged children who took part, while their parents were more confident in parenting and more involved in their child’s school.
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NEW REPORT: Brotherhood finds poor dental health costs the economy $1.3 billion annually
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Jeff Richardson & Bronwyn Richardson
Millions of people are financially locked out of Australia’s expensive dental health system, undermining their capacity to gain and keep employment, at an annual cost to the economy of more than $1.3 billion. This report commissioned for the Brotherhood analyses the costs of poor dental health on the economy and the impact this has on those least able to afford dental care. The report’s authors, Professor Jeff Richardson from Monash University and Bronwyn Richardson from Campbell Research and Consulting, found that the direct and indirect costs to the economy are significant.
End the Decay: the cost of poor dental health and what should be done about it (PDF file 836 KB)
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NEW REPORT: Making a difference with VCAL in a community setting
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George Myconos
Since 2010 the Brotherhood of St Laurence has run a Community VCAL program tailored for young people aged 15 to 18 who have experienced barriers to mainstream education in our High Street Frankston office. Featured recently in The Age, our students undertake the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning—a Years 11 and 12 course which combines classroom tuition with vocational training and work placements—in a community setting rather than in a school. This first year evaluation found that, notwithstanding some challenges, the program made a significant difference to the educational opportunities of most of its students.
A path to re-engagement: evaluating the first year of a Community VCAL education program for young people (PDF file 558.33 KB), and Summary (PDF file136.47 KB)
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NEW REPORT: Intensive case management and flexibility the key to engaging in meaningful learning
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Sharon Bond
This study of Peninsula Youth Connections, a program operated in the Frankston Mornington Peninsula region by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and TaskForce, found that not only life circumstances but also systemic education barriers made it difficult for some young people to engage in meaningful learning. While the intensive case management and flexible approach of PYC were affirmed by youth professionals, the research also pointed to the need to clarify responsibilities and overcome boundaries between services addressing different needs.
Overcoming barriers to education: Peninsula Youth Connections evaluation stage 1 report (PDF file 521.77 KB) and Summary (PDF file 135.74 KB)
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NEW SUBMISSION: Growth corridor plans need to consider education and employment opportunities
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The Brotherhood’s submission looks at growth corridor plans and the impact of urban development for outer suburban Melbourne. The report explores the implications on communities of not only land and transport use but also the importance of creating educational, employment, social and recreational opportunities that are inclusive of people of all ages and abilities.
Submission to the Inquiry into Growth Corridor Plans (PDF file 84.47 KB)
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NEW SUBMISSION: Vulnerable people face barriers to effective climate adaptation
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The negative effects of climate change and climate policy will impact most heavily on disadvantaged members of our community and will exacerbate the disadvantage already experienced by vulnerable groups. The Brotherhood’s submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry focuses on the ability of low-income and disadvantaged groups to respond to climate change and how government policy can ensure that there is adequate support and information to assist those most vulnerable in our community deal with both the physical and social effects of climate change.
Barriers to effective climate change adaptation: BSL submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry (PDF file 108.51 KB)
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BROTHERHOOD COMMENT: Talking taxation reform and challenges for youth
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Brotherhood Comment, published three times a year, provides an overview of Brotherhood research projects and policy analysis. The November issue
covered a wide range of topics including: taxation, rising energy prices, an evaluation of Peninsula Youth Connections, a risky cocktail: alcohol, drugs and other kinds of youth disadvantage, exploring age and intergenerational identity and planning inclusive, competitive cities.
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