Queensland Government
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Support for social housing tenants

Social housing tenants who are at risk of losing their tenure due to mental illness will benefit from a new service being introduced to Brisbane and the North Coast areas in early 2012.

The Resolve service will support these tenants to improve their situation and develop living skills to get their lives back on track.

The Department of Communities funds Mission Australia to deliver the service, which could help 150 people every year.

Resolve will provide information, referrals and practical supports aimed at maintaining the person’s tenure and enabling them to self-manage their wellbeing.

Eligible tenants will have a diagnosed mental illness and not be receiving support through other sources such as community service providers, or family and friends. Referral will be through community housing providers.

Holiday season fire safety

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service asks everyone to take the following steps this
holiday season:

  • check that smoke alarms work
  • ensure everyone staying in holiday accommodation knows how to safely evacuate the premises and where to meet.

The average age of camp fire burns victims is just two and a half and of barbecue burns victims, just three and a half.

When cooking outdoors:

  • extinguish camp fires with water, not dirt or sand (a buried fire retains heat for up to 24 hours and becomes a hidden danger for people walking)
  • ensure the BBQ is in a safe place and keep a strict eye on children
  • have gas cylinders professionally tested and check that hoses and valves are secure.

More information about fire prevention in suburban or rural areas is available by accessing these links.

Whiplash research

The University of Queensland is looking for people experiencing neck pain following a motor vehicle accident, to participate in research to improve the rehabilitation outcomes for people with whiplash.

The research involves a series of studies to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise-based treatments. UQ is looking for volunteers: aged 18 to 65 years who have neck pain resulting from a motor vehicle accident (from one to six weeks ago or three months to five years ago).

Treatments are provided by highly qualified physiotherapists. The university covers the cost for all the program treatments and participants receive $60 to help cover the cost of travel for each assessment. For details phone 3636 4214.

Reduced kindy fees

Kindergarten in the year before Prep gives your child a flying start to learning and life.

Low-income families, regardless of where their child attends a Queensland Government-approved kindergarten program, are eligible for reduced fees.

Parents need to show their Health Care Card at the kindergarten to claim their entitlement. The subsidy is also available for holders of Australian Government Pension Concession cards with automatic Health Care Card entitlements.

The subsidy goes to the kindergarten which offsets the amount from any fees payable by the parent.

More information is available by phoning 1800 454 639.

Become a JP or Commissioner for Declarations

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General’s Justices of the Peace (JP) Branch is looking for community-minded people of all ages with an interest in the legal system to become a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) or a Commissioner for Declarations.

The volunteer role involves helping members of the community by witnessing legal documents such as statutory declarations, affidavits and land title documents.

If giving back to the community, learning valuable skills and contributing to Queensland’s legal system interests you phone the JP Branch on 1300 301 147.