Building Connection in Northern Territory Remote Indigenous Communities
Tracks
Kuranda and Virtual via OnAIR
| Friday, November 8, 2024 |
| 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM |
| Kuranda Ballroom |
Overview
Mia Poklepovich, OT Inspire Australia Pty Ltd
Speaker
Mia Poklepovich
Director
OT Inspire Australia PTY LTD
Building Connection in Northern Territory Remote Indigenous Communities
Abstract
Background: Occupational therapy and mental health approaches require adaption to fit the sociocultural contexts in which they are applied. Working in remote and very remote communities in the Northern Territory (NT) warrants a specialised approach that balances the pragmatic constraints of outreach with the need to foster strong relationships with community.
Implementation: Practices adopted a values-based approach to modify their services with remote and very remote communities. Hallmarks of this approach include: longer outreach trips (week-long trips on Country); stakeholder engagement with elders, schools, councils and cultural leaders; free professional development and group activities on country as part of a wrap-around service; and up-skilling members of the community to build capacity and independence, including a focus on mothers. Examples include a regular yoga, mindfulness and relaxation class that provides a safe space for discussion of topics such as domestic violence, parenting stress and overwhelm, as well as painting of assistive devices to become more culturally relevant during sessions.
Outcome: Reflective insights from the process included attention to making resources accessible - e.g., translations into language (Kriol) for mindfulness & relaxation and visual translations. The process required sufficient time to empower families to understand their plans and advocate their needs, and to engage the community in the co-creation of resources.
Quantitative improvements include improved attendance at school, enhanced engagement in sessions, increased proactive contact and tele-health requests from families. Approach aims to empower community members by consistently seeking feedback on service delivery models.
Qualitative feedback- families noted improved behaviours, mood, sleep and family connections.
Qualitative feedback also included reports that services 'help' /members felt could talk honestly with therapists.
This approach provides insights into working towards bridging the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations and provides practical strategies around an effective remote outreach model, with a values based approach on country.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Practical strategies around an effective remote outreach model, with a values-based approach on country.
2. Creating accessible and person-centred resources for remote outreach.
3. Empowering community members through advocacy, education, involvement and connection.
Implementation: Practices adopted a values-based approach to modify their services with remote and very remote communities. Hallmarks of this approach include: longer outreach trips (week-long trips on Country); stakeholder engagement with elders, schools, councils and cultural leaders; free professional development and group activities on country as part of a wrap-around service; and up-skilling members of the community to build capacity and independence, including a focus on mothers. Examples include a regular yoga, mindfulness and relaxation class that provides a safe space for discussion of topics such as domestic violence, parenting stress and overwhelm, as well as painting of assistive devices to become more culturally relevant during sessions.
Outcome: Reflective insights from the process included attention to making resources accessible - e.g., translations into language (Kriol) for mindfulness & relaxation and visual translations. The process required sufficient time to empower families to understand their plans and advocate their needs, and to engage the community in the co-creation of resources.
Quantitative improvements include improved attendance at school, enhanced engagement in sessions, increased proactive contact and tele-health requests from families. Approach aims to empower community members by consistently seeking feedback on service delivery models.
Qualitative feedback- families noted improved behaviours, mood, sleep and family connections.
Qualitative feedback also included reports that services 'help' /members felt could talk honestly with therapists.
This approach provides insights into working towards bridging the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations and provides practical strategies around an effective remote outreach model, with a values based approach on country.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Practical strategies around an effective remote outreach model, with a values-based approach on country.
2. Creating accessible and person-centred resources for remote outreach.
3. Empowering community members through advocacy, education, involvement and connection.
Biography
Mia is a long-standing occupational therapist and OTA endorsed Mental Health OT. She is the Director of OT Inspire Australia a remote occupational therapy practice providing therapeutic outreach to some of the most isolated communities in the Northern Territory.
Mia is also incredibly passionate about mental health, wellbeing and career longevity for health practitioners and practice owners in the space.
Mia also runs a consulting and mentoring support organisation for practice owners and aspiring practice owners to help reduce isolation and improve sustainability of services in remote locations.
Host
Lise Saunders
Event Coordinator
AST Management
Justine White
Event Manager
AST Management
