wimmeraunitingcare

OPENING DOORS
NEW ENTRY POINT SYSTEM FOR LOCAL HOMELESS

A new entry point system to provide more streamlined access to services for homeless people in the Central Grampians/ Wimmera regions will be launched at Wimmera UnitingCare, Horsham next Monday 9 November.

Representatives from local support agencies have formed a network to adapt the Statewide Opening Doors Framework to the local region. The new system will provide a faster and more efficient service response for homeless people.

The new system will be jointly launched by Wendy Middleton, CEO of Wimmera UnitingCare, Capt. Allan Morrison of The Salvation Army and Corrina Graham, Manager Housing & Family Violence Team, Grampians Community Health.
The launch marks the culmination of over a year's work on developing a more streamlined support system for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The new system will support people in the Central Grampians/Wimmera regions which encompass Ararat and Stawell and surrounding areas, through to Horsham and towns in the West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and Northern Grampians shires.

The new entry point system will commence in Horsham on Monday 9 November and in Stawell on Monday 7 December. The entry point for Horsham is Wimmera UnitingCare 185 Baillie St, Horsham and the entry point for Stawell is Wimmera UnitingCare 14 Sloane St, Stawell. The central telephone number for both entry points is 1800 825 955.

The new model aims to make it easier for people to obtain the support they need through the partnerships forged via the Opening Doors Framework. This initiative is an important part of the Victorian Homelessness Strategy, the State Government's comprehensive strategy to tackle homelessness and its causes.

The agencies involved in the Opening Doors Framework and entry points in the Central Grampians/ Wimmera region are:
• Wimmera UnitingCare
• The Salvation Army
• Grampians Community Health

The new intake framework will ensure that people seeking assistance are assessed when they first make contact, to ensure they are offered the most appropriate services. The framework will guide agency staff in providing follow-up assistance.
Integral to the Opening Doors Framework is the ability of local agencies to make the most efficient use of their workers' time and resources through more visible entry points of entry and coordinated local responses for people seeking assistance.

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