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Current Work of the Association
Who Is Nalag?
NALAG is a not-for-profit association of
individuals and organisations that in partnership with Government
and other organisations 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 its program and
service areas
Community Education Program
Information and Referral Service
Community and Service Sector Development
Program
Membership Services
Practitioner Accreditation Program
NALAG is able to undertake its vital work with the
financial support of its members and sponsors.
Community Education
The community education program is a statewide
activity that has been 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
The provision of free / low cost community and agency
information sessions by accredited loss and grief educators
The development and distribution of loss and grief
information material
Undertaking promotional and awareness raising activities,
including the print and electronic media
The provision of a telephone information service and
a website to support the work of community organisations, government
departments and agencies and practitioners
The coordination of “Grief Week”. An annual statewide
promotion of loss and grief in the last week of August
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, newsletters 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),
specialist committees and participation in NALAG meetings and activities.
The membership plays an important role in determining NALAG's activities
and establishing NALAG's priorities.
NALAG members receive discounts on NALAG seminars, forums and workshops
and they have access to NALAG's telephone information service.
Practitioner Accreditation Program
The Practitioner Accreditation Program plays an important role
in establishing and maintaining appropriate professional education,
training and practice standards for loss and grief counsellors and
educators. The accredited practitioners are also full members of
NALAG. In addition to the benefits of being a member of NALAG, practitioners
have access to NALAG's professional information and support service.
Importantly members support the work of NALAG and contribute to
the development of improved loss and grief information and services
in Victoria.
August 2005
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