Taking The Lead in Times of Crisis
Tracks
Virtual Presentations
| Thursday, December 2, 2021 |
| 12:40 PM - 1:00 PM |
Overview
Ms Maria Losurdo, Manager, The Woman's Cottage
Speaker
Ms Maria Losurdo
Manager
The Woman's Cottage
Taking The Lead in Times of Crisis
Abstract
The Women’s Cottage is based in Hawkesbury NSW, an area is under 2-hours from Sydney but a world away in need. In past years, this regional (in places remote) community has seen impacts of prolonged drought, fire, floods, COVID and more floods. Each disaster layering on the distress and impact of the last. No one left untouched by some form of impact: loss of homes, livestock, farmland, livelihood, employment, savings, isolation, trauma and stress.
Domestic Violence has significantly increased each year. And, although his link with natural disasters is well known, it is easily left behind in the complex immediate and long term responses to disaster.
This presentation describes how one Feminist Frontline DV Service worked to set the local agenda and take the lead to ensure agencies, community and business we aware of Domestic Violence issues and response options.
The Women’s Cottage has taken a multi-faceted approach to reach out to and support vulnerable women and children during these difficult times. This has included: increased open hours, expanded criteria, increased staff, flexible access / responses, and distributing formal messaging and practice advice through local Council, Media and cross community sectors and networks.
It’s involved using and sharing data on need; rapid development of resources and information on confusing and changing criteria for DV / housing services.
It has been critical to access and use all available forms of short term funding to provide a range of flexible support options from immediate crisis response to intensive ongoing case work.
Key learning to date has been don’t assume agencies or the community know what they need to know when so many things are changing rapidly and if in any doubt always step in to take the lead on providing clear direction.
3 Key Learnings:
1. Don’t assume agencies or the community know what they need to know when so many things are changing rapidly.
2. If in any doubt always step in to take the lead on providing clear direction.
3. Providing flexible responsive service delivery supports the process of recovery
Domestic Violence has significantly increased each year. And, although his link with natural disasters is well known, it is easily left behind in the complex immediate and long term responses to disaster.
This presentation describes how one Feminist Frontline DV Service worked to set the local agenda and take the lead to ensure agencies, community and business we aware of Domestic Violence issues and response options.
The Women’s Cottage has taken a multi-faceted approach to reach out to and support vulnerable women and children during these difficult times. This has included: increased open hours, expanded criteria, increased staff, flexible access / responses, and distributing formal messaging and practice advice through local Council, Media and cross community sectors and networks.
It’s involved using and sharing data on need; rapid development of resources and information on confusing and changing criteria for DV / housing services.
It has been critical to access and use all available forms of short term funding to provide a range of flexible support options from immediate crisis response to intensive ongoing case work.
Key learning to date has been don’t assume agencies or the community know what they need to know when so many things are changing rapidly and if in any doubt always step in to take the lead on providing clear direction.
3 Key Learnings:
1. Don’t assume agencies or the community know what they need to know when so many things are changing rapidly.
2. If in any doubt always step in to take the lead on providing clear direction.
3. Providing flexible responsive service delivery supports the process of recovery
Biography
The Women’s Cottage has operated for over 40 years. Maria Losurdo has been Manager at The Women’s Cottage for the past 3 years where she is part of a strong and vibrant team of experienced workers. Maria has over 30 years’ experience in the community sector in Children and Family Services, Women’s Refuges, Community Development, Professional Development and TAFE teaching. Maria is deeply committed to cross cultural capacity building and trauma informed work practice and is strongly informed by Feminist ethics, social justice, and social equity.
