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National Association for
Loss & Grief Annual Conference 2011
Melbourne, Thursday September
1, 2011
CALL
FOR ABSTRACTS
Grieving: A Natural Response
to Loss
The theme of National Loss & Grief Awareness Week
in 2011 is Grieving: A Natural Response to Loss.
The conference will explore the ways in which issues
that arise following losses other than bereavement can be addressed
within a loss and grief framework. Papers should address grief issues
that are not strictly bereavement related, e.g. chronic illness,
disability, ageing, homelessness, substance abuse, community grieving
(disasters, critical incidents etc), refugee or indigenous issues
where land, culture or language is lost, adoption/relinquishment,
child abuse, domestic violence etc. Preference will be given to
those abstracts that address the issue in a loss across the lifespan
context (i.e. as it related to child, adolescent, adult or ageing
populations or to communities).
Papers will be considered on the basis of relevance
to the theme and potential interest to the sector.
Living
With Life's Losses
In 2009 NALAG
(Vic) developed the 'Living with Life's Losses' resource to support
people who have experienced a loss and are grieving and those who
support them.
Current Work of the Association
Who Is NALAG?
NALAG is a not-for-profit association of individuals and organisations
that works to facilitate and improve the community's awareness of
loss and grief issues and its capacity to effectively respond to
loss and grief including bereavement.
NALAG's Work
NALAG undertakes its work through the following programs
Community Education Program
The community education program is a statewide activity established
to provide information and raise awareness which reflects service
requirements and enhances the response of the community to loss,
grief and bereavement issues.
The program is targeted at communities, community groups, Community
Health Services, government departments, local government, the health
sector, the education and training sectors, and individual members
of the public.
Key activities of the community education program include
• community education and professional development (including
delivery of the Block and TackleTM Groupwork Leaders Training and
other professional development as requested)
• development of information resources (including the 'Living
with Life's Losses' resource)
• awareness raising activities (including Grief Awareness
Week)
• website
Community and Service Sector Development Program
The community and service system development program undertakes
activities to strengthen the community's capacity to respond to
loss and grief issues and needs. The program has a particular focus
on improving the availability and access to loss and grief services.
A central element of this program is the development and support
of local and regional loss and grief service networks. This is achieved
by providing practical support including the provision of resources,
information and connection to the wider loss and grief sector. NALAG
also provides advice and consultation in relation to service development
and support for local projects. The program also undertakes projects
to identify service needs and effective pathways to accessing the
available services. In addition NALAG's regional Chapters meet regularly
and undertake a variety of local activities.
Importantly the Community and Sector (Service System) Development
Program provides regular seminars and workshops across Victoria
that bring community and government service providers together to
focus on loss and grief issues and improve local and regional service
provision networks. NALAG places a high priority on improving the
pathways to loss and grief service provision at the local and regional
levels.
As part of the Community and Sector (Service System) Development
Program, NALAG actively participates in a wide variety of government
and community sector policy and service planning activities. NALAG
also undertakes specific projects to further the development of
the loss and grief service sector.
Membership Services
The Membership Program is a core activity of NALAG that informs
and supports the loss and grief work and aspirations of its individual
and organisation members. The general membership program engages
a wide variety of individuals and organisations with a special interest
in loss, grief and bereavement.
NALAG supports its members with information and opportunities to
participate in the loss and grief sector including forums and seminars.
NALAG draws on the knowledge, skills and experience of its membership
through consultations, regional groups (Chapters) and committees.
The membership plays an important role in determining NALAG's activities
and establishing NALAG's priorities.
Clinical Membership
The clinical membership with NALAG plays an important role in establishing
and maintaining appropriate professional education, training and
practice standards for loss and grief counsellors and educators.
Clinical members are also full members of NALAG.
Importantly members support the work of NALAG and contribute to
the development of improved loss and grief information and services
in Victoria .
May 2010
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