INSPIRE
Engaging Ideas – 2006
Engaging Ideas is a unique knowledge sharing initiative of the Department of Communities. At these events, eminent academics and practitioners from Queensland, Australia and overseas present to an audience of key researchers, practitioners and decision makers from the public and private sectors. They share the latest research findings in areas such as social policy, community engagement and community development, and other topics that relate to the Department of Communities core business.
Coming Up
- Dr Clive Williams – Stealing a car to be a man: The importance of cars and driving in the gender identity of adolescent males. 19 Oct 2006
- Dr Sasha Rombouts – Risk factors for recidivism among juvenile sex offenders. 29 Nov 2006
Engaging Ideas will end for 2006 in November, however, the program will recommence in February 2007. We already have some presenters lined up to provide us with more great ideas and knowledge.
Past Seminars
- Dr Michael Cuthill (Director of the University of Queensland Boilerhouse Community Engagement Centre) and Dr Steve Johnson (visitor from USA – Consultant and University Lecturer) presented on 14 September 2006. Below is an outline on the topics they covered.
Developing a social sustainability framework for SEQ, and Social sustainability: the Portland story
Developing a social sustainability framework for SEQ
The SEQ Regional Plan 2005-2026 demands quite specific responses from State and Local Governments in relation to planning for social sustainability. However, clear direction for addressing these issues is not articulated in this plan. In addition, a lack of theoretical clarity, relating to social sustainability, is identified in international literature as an emerging issue of concern for policymakers. Current research is working towards integrating diverse but interrelated areas of social research into a broader theoretical model of social sustainability. Results will provide a solid theoretical foundation for developing appropriate social sustainability policy, planning and operational responses.
Social sustainability: the Portland story
Since the 1970s, according to Robert Putnam and others, America’s civic life has been on a sharp decline. The number of citizens involved in most kinds of political activity as well as social capital building interactions have plummeted. As Mr. Putnam notes in his most recent book, Better Together, there is one notable exception, Portland, Oregon. The implications of Portland’s exceptional civic life are important to understand for activists, practitioners, and academics interested in building socially sustainable communities.
- Bernadette McDermott (Psychologist and Team Leader Child and Youth Forensic Outreach Service) and Bruce Watt (Forensic Psychologist) presented on 17 August 2006
The Child and Youth Forensic Outreach Service and research topic: Engagement of Families of Conduct Problem Children in Mental Health Services
The Child and Youth Forensic Outreach Service (CYFOS) commenced in 2003 and is a consultation-liaison service that provides support to the Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Youth Justice Service and other services regarding working with young people with forensic and mental health concerns. A significant role for CYFOS involves utilising research on forensic mental health issues in the development of training programs and informing clinical support provided. Ms McDermott presented an overview of what services CYFOS provides.
Children with disturbances of conduct, such as persistent aggression, cruelty, fire-setting and stealing are among the most frequent referrals to mental health services. An ongoing concern for service providers is the difficulty of engaging families of children with conduct problems effectively in treatment. The Enhancing Effective Treatment Project, supported by a Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation Grant, investigated innovative approaches to enhance mental health services for children with conduct problems and their families. A one-day training program resulted in changes to mental health practices, with subsequent increase in treatment participation. Gains in mental health functioning were found for children referred with disturbances of conduct. Maintenance of improved emotional and behavioural functioning is likely to result in better interactions with family, school and the wider community, particularly reductions in antisocial behaviour. Mr Watt discussed the findings of this project.
Summaries of past events can be found at: http://www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/share_your_knowledge/training/ideas.html
Members of INSPIRE are notified of all forthcoming Engaging Ideas events and these events will also be posted on the Department of Communities Infonet.
Other languages