The Improved Services Initiative is a national project which aims to build the capacity of non-government drug and alcohol organisations to effectively identify and treat comorbid substance use and mental illness.

This initiative is part of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health (2006-2011).  The project is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing funded project and commenced in 2007.

There are two key components of the Improved Services Initiative, the grants program and the Cross Sectoral Support and Strategic Partnership (CSSSP) project. 

1) Capacity Building Grants Program for NGO D&A organisations
Competitive grants of up to $500,000 were provided to non government D&A organisations to undertake a range of service improvement activities to enhance the organisation’s capacity to respond to comorbid clients. Throughout Australia, 122 non government D&A organisations received grants. There are 26 Improved Services grant recipient agencies (or consortia of agencies) in NSW.  A list of grant recipients in NSW is provided below.

2) Cross Sectoral Support and Strategic Partnership (CSSSP) project
NADA and other D&A peak bodies (or their equivalent) in each state and territory received funding to support the Improved Services grant recipients and to coordinate a statewide approach to the project. NADA works closely with grant recipients to provide support in four key areas: building partnerships and linkages, service improvement activities, identifying workforce development and training opportunities and disseminating targeted information and resources.

NADA was funded for an initial twelve months in January 2008 to participate in the CSSSP project, and received additional funds to work on this for another two years (July 2009-June 2011).

For more information about any aspect of the Improved Services Initiative, contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Project Manager (02) 8113 1320
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Project Officer (02) 8113 1308

NSW GRANT RECIPIENTS

The following NGOs have received funding under the Improved Services Initiative:

ACON - Click here to find out about the ISI project at ACON
Benelong’s Haven*
Calvary Health Care Riverina
Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC)
Hawkesbury District Health Service
Hunter Region Drug and Alcohol Services Consortia – Mercy Community Services
Kedesh Rehabilitation Services
Manly Drug Education and Counselling Centre (MDECC)
Mission Australia – Triple Care Farm
Odyssey House
Oolong House * - Click here to find out about the ISI project at Oolong House
Phoebe House
Salvation Army - Australian Eastern Recovery Services Command
Salvation Army - OASIS St Vincent De Paul - Maryfields Day Recovery Centre
South Sydney Youth Service*
Ted Noffs Foundation Consortia
The Buttery - Click here to find out about the ISI project at the Buttery
The Haymarket Foundation - Click here to find out about the ISI project at the Haymarket Foundation
Upper Hunter Drug and Alcohol Service*
Watershed Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Centre
Weigelli Centre Aboriginal Corporation
We Help Ourselves (WHOS)
Wesley Mission*
Women’s Alcohol and Drug Advisory Centre

Youth Off The Streets Limited 

*Organisations received funds in the second round of grants (July 2008)

More detailed information on the NSW grant recipients and their projects will be available soon.

EVENTS
Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  to discuss the next Improved Services Initiative Forum. 

Previous events
Thursday 15th July 2010
The primary aim of the forum was to assist services in sustainability planning of the Improved Services Initiative and was facilitated by John Mendoza and Marion Wands. The event prompted lots interesting discussion and information sharing amongst the participants. The outcomes report will be distributed shortly.

Thursday 18th March 2010
This forum provided presentations from Dr Hester Wilson on GPs, NGOs and Comorbidity, Chris Shipway, Associate Director of Mental Health Clinical Policy Unit (MHDAO, NSW Health) provided an update on future directions, Brendan Pawsey (Frameworks for Health) showcased a comorbidity training package and three grant recipients discussed their ISI project.

Thursday 26th November 2009
The focus of the Improved Services Forum on 26th November 2009 was on developing effective partnerships. Guest speakers included representatives from the Department of Health and Ageing, General Practice NSW, Area Health Clinical Mental Health Partnership Program (MHDAO, NSW Health).

NATIONAL NEWSLETTER
A quarterly national newsletter for the Improved Services Initiative has been created by the peak D&A organisations. The newsletter will provide grant recipients with an opportunity to showcase their innovative, creative and exciting approaches to the initiative.  It is anticipated that the newsletter will be a useful resource to promote the initiative within the sector and more broadly.

Winter 2010- Issue 3
Summer 2009/2010 - Issue 2

The fourth issue of the newsletter is currently in production. If you would like to contribute an article please contact either Sarah or Robert.

Regular email updates are compiled and forwarded to Improved Services Initiative grant recipients.  Updates include links to relevant information, events and resources.  Click here to read the project updates, located on the NADA Resources page.

If you have information to contribute to the Improved Services Initiative email update, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .