Month: August 2021

With the onset of the new Delta COVID-19 variant, more children throughout Australia are becoming ill with the coronavirus.  Not surprisingly, many parents are wondering about how to protect their children.  While there is currently no cure for COVID-19, we do know that prevention strategies work. Getting yourself vaccinated and helping children to take the following steps will help to protect them:

• Wear a mask
• Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
• Get vaccinated
• Get tested

Masks

Different Australian states have different regulations for mask-wearing. In Victoria, it is recommended that children over five wear a mask when out of the family home. While wearing masks can take a bit of getting used to, especially for young children, it is perfectly safe. Mask wearing does not affect a child’s ability to breathe.

When helping a child wear a mask, it is important to remember that it needs to fit snugly. Masks with large gaps on the sides or a mask that constantly slips down the child’s face are ineffective. Also, remember:

• Fabric masks need regular washing –like underwear!
• Disposable masks are only suitable for a single-use – like a tissue!
• The mask will work better with fewer gaps around the face!

Some children with sensory issues or disabilities may struggle to wear masks; however, most children will quickly adapt, especially if their parents set a good example. One great way to encourage children to wear a mask is the help them make their own. There are many great templates available for kids’ masks, and many of them don’t require any sewing.

Tips for helping your children to wear a face mask:

Make it fun and personal. As face masks have become more common you can find fun, colourful masks in many stores. Look for ones that feature your child’s favourite superhero characters, faces, or animal prints. Kids might opt for a plain mask that they can decorate with markers, stickers, beads, or sequins. You can even have your child help choose a design, so they feel a part of the process.

Children learn through play.  and this can also help them process their feelings. Give your child a mask for their favourite stuffed animal, sew a matching mask for a doll or draw masks on characters in colouring books.

Lastly, one of the best ways to encourage your child to wear a face mask is to wear one yourself.

Now let’s make some masks! Let’s make some face masks!  CLICK HERE or watch the video by Kidspot:

 

Ventilation

The COVID-19 is airborne, which means that it can float in the air. For this reason, it is important to keep children away from poorly ventilated spaces. Good ventilation is a problem for many schools, clubs, cafes and shops. Wherever possible, activities need to be held outside, and doors and windows should be open.

Victoria’s pandemic lockdown regulations mean that many schools will continue to offer online-learning-only options into the foreseeable future. These restrictions are put in place to keep our children and communities safe. Talking positively to your children about why they can’t go to school is a great way to help them cope with being at home.

Vaccination

Australia’s vaccine roll-out is now in full swing, and depending on your child’s age, they may now be eligible to be vaccinated. Currently, children aged 16 years or over can be booked in for a Pfizer vaccination. Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that Pfizer jabs would be made available to all children in the 12-15 year-old age group from 13 September.

Vaccinations for children under 12 have not yet been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and are currently unavailable. In the meantime, the best way to protect younger children is by ensuring that everyone who can be vaccinated is vaccinated. Make sure that everyone in your home who is eligible gets their vaccine as soon as possible.

COVID-19 Vaccination is available at DPV Health’s Vaccination hub located at Town Hall Broadmeadows, 10 Dimboola Road, Broadmeadows, 7 days a week: 9:30am – 5:30pm . Click here for more information or call Call 1300 DPV VAX or dial 1300 378 829 .

For vaccination information for children and teenagers and resources click here.

Get tested

If you or your child have any of the following symptoms, it is essential to get tested right away:

• fever
• chills or sweats
• cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath
• runny nose
• loss or change in the sense of smell or taste.

Getting tested involves having a quick nasal swab. While it can be a little uncomfortable, it is not painful. Getting tested helps to stop the spread of the virus and allows medical professionals to offer you the best help possible.

DPV Health’s COVID-19 Testing Centre is located at Schotters Road, Mernda. For more information click here.

Mental Health

It’s very normal for children and young people to experience a range of emotions about the COVID-19. If you need tips and advice to help support your children’s mental well-being click here

Alternatively, you can call HeadtoHelp on 1800 595 212 .

Homelessness Week (1st– 7^th August) gives us the opportunity to raise awareness within the organization and the community. Homelessness Week is the annual awareness-raising week to highlight the 116,000 Australians who are homeless on any given night

This year the theme for Homelessness Week is Everybody Needs a Home and our call to advocate for more housing remains. Census 2021 provides an opportunity for all to feedback on the housing situation across Australia; there has been a large focus that has not been witnessed before to reach out to all that are experiencing the impacts of the housing crisis that has been intensified by the COVID pandemic.

Housing is indicated as a basic need in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and it is recognized by the UN as a basic right. There has been a lack of spending by State and Federal Governments in the last 20 years on social housing.

Homelessness week is one of two occasions that we are able to highlight the need for more housing to the general public.  In September 2020 the Victorian Government announced a large injection of funds to the housing sector of a housing build of 1200 houses, and a large amount of funding to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. However, this is the tip of what is actually required with 80,000 people requiring a long-term home in the state. There is a need to get the Federal Government to step up and assist across Australia to provide further support to all states and territories in the area of social housing support and increased rent assistance, via welfare payments.

In 2021 as did in 2020 the week will be conducted remotely in a low-key manner,  from 8^th August through to the  15^th August there will be a focus through outreach on the Census.

DPV Health’s Homelessness Support

The Homelessness Team at DPV Health, covering the Whittlesea Catchment and working out of Epping; provide case management to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The team work tirelessly to advocate on behalf of their clients for more housing and improved access to housing.  Referral’s come from an external agency – Haven Home Safe, with a few select internally.

 A client’s response to the support provided

 “DPV Health’s homelessness support has impacted my life in the most positive way possible!  Your organisation has provided me with housing stability, supporting me in reconnecting with my children which I’m forever grateful for. I have also had financial help which has helped my house feel like a home and given me the assistance to make sure my children have everything they need. I would also like to say the emotional support provided by my workers has been priceless, they are always there for me to talk about anything that’s on my mind and provide me with sound advice. I don’t know where I would be today without the help and support of DPV Health, they have changed my life for the better. I’m blessed to have them in my life.” – K

 Case Managers take

“My role as a Case Manager in the Homelessness team involves providing advocacy and support to clients who have been made homeless or at risk of homelessness. Once housed, we support our participants to maintain their tenancies. We encourage and support their journey to achieve their unique life goals. We work from a client-centered and strengths-based perspective aiming to empower participants. We assist them in building life skills and arming them with the knowledge they require to ultimately gain independence. 

Each one of our participants is different and has unique needs. Therefore, our day-to-day work can vary greatly. We provide emotional support, advice and advocacy. We do this in a non-judgemental and flexible manner, always promoting personal goals and engendering independence. Most of our participants are with us over the long term. This provides us with the unique opportunity to build rapport and meaningful long-term working relationships with participants. I feel honoured they allow me into their lives to hear their stories and be a part of their journey. My job is rewarding, full of diversity and opportunities to encourage and support my clients to make fundamental and practical changes in their lives.  I feel honoured to be allowed to contribute and hopefully make a difference.” – Bianca

This outcome is achieved by working with other departments in DPV Health, the greater Homelessness Network and the local businesses in our catchment.

Should you require housing assistance in the City of Whittlesea please contact;

Haven Home Safe: 9479 0700

City of Hume Vincent Care: 9304 0100

After hours response: 1800 825 955

How you can help

Sign the petition to end homelessness in Victoria visit: https://everyvictorianshouldhaveahome.com.au/ for more information.