Initiatives and Projects

Future Directions Annual Plan:

Future Directions is currently in the process of developing a 'network-wide' plan for the mental health sector in Southland. The plan will outline the key priority areas that require activity. Some of the priorities are likely to include workforce development, quality, IT infrastructure and service development. The plan will go live in May-June of this year and will be updated annually. The plan will be distributed to network members when it is complete and a copy will be available on this website.

Future Directions Workforce Development Plan:

A sub-committee of Future Directions members is in the process of producing a workforce development plan for the Network. The plan will include information regarding recruitment and retention, education and training opportunities and career pathways. Progress and updates on the plan will feature regularly on this website and a copy of it will be available when completed. The plan will be updated annually.

Future Directions Strategic Quality Plan:

Deirdre Kokich, Quality Improvement Coordinator is in the process of developing a strategic quality plan for the Network. The plan will include a snapshot of where the sector currently is and will outline an action plan of quality initiatives, projects and milestones. The plan is designed to be a working document for mental health service providers and it will be regularly reviewed and updated.

IT Capacity Building:

Geoff Dembo, SDHB Mental Health Systems Analyst is currently working on a project to improve the quality and capacity of IT resources across the Network. Geoff is working closely with NGOs to establish their current IT capacity and is supporting NGOs to identify the hardware and software options that will meet their current and future needs. The project will also identify staff training needs.