Two Ways Together Partnership Community Program
The Two Ways Together Partnership Community Program (the Program) is a priority of the NSW State Plan and is the local level implementation of Two Ways Together-The NSW Aboriginal Affairs Plan (2003-2012)
The Program provides an exciting opportunity for Aboriginal communities and government agencies to work together to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people on the ground. Under the Program a Project Officer from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs will help communities to develop a community governance body. This body will then be supported to work with government agencies to identify community priorities and develop an action plan in response.
This Program will firstly build on work that is already underway in 40 Partnership communities across the State. Once action plans in those communities are in place, further communities will be supported under the program.
The Program is a place based program in which the Commonwealth and NSW Government agencies are working together on the ground in partnership with the Aboriginal community.
The aims are to:
- Improve service delivery and outcomes on the ground for Aboriginal people; and
- Strengthen Aboriginal community wellbeing
Initially 40 Partnership Communities have been identified to participate in the Program, representing approximately 45% of the Aboriginal population in NSW. The Program will build on work already underway in these communities.
The Program has two main elements:
- The Draft Partnership Community Governance Framework; and
- Guidelines that govern the way NSW and Commonwealth Government agencies work together and also work with and support communities under the program.
Development of the Two Ways Together Draft Partnership Community Governance Framework
Consultation with communities played an important role in developing the Draft Partnership Community Governance Framework (the Draft Framework). Community consultation sessions were held across NSW. DAA also received a number of written submissions. A report summarising the consultations is available here: Community Consultation Report
A report highlighting how DAA has incorporated key issues raised by community into the Draft Framework and other parts of the Two Ways Together Partnership Community Program is also available at DAA Response to Community Input into the Draft Partnership Community Governance Framework
Draft Partnership Community Governance Framework
The aim of the Draft Framework is to guide the formation and development and/or recognition, of an Aboriginal community governance body in each Aboriginal community in NSW, beginning with the 40 Two Ways Together Partnership Communities. The Draft Framework consists of five principles, each with associated criteria.
Summary of the Draft Partnership Community Governance
Draft Partnership Community Governance Framework
Towards Draft Partnership Community Program Guidelines
The Draft Partnership Community Program Guidelines will outline how government agencies will work with each other and in partnership with community governance bodies through Community Action Planning Groups to develop Community Action Plans. The NSW and Commonwealth Governments have committed to work with community governance bodies over the longer term to improve outcomes on the ground. The Guidelines will be released as a working draft in April 2009. They will show how the Commonwealth and NSW Governments will work together with communities through the Program.
Answers to more frequently asked questions such as: What are the elements of the Program? What will the Partnership Community Program mean for Aboriginal communities? What about other Aboriginal Communities?
Are available at Communities Questions Answered
How to Provide Feedback Community views on the Partnership Community Program are being actively sought for the first 12 months before the Draft Governance Framework and Draft Program Guidelines are finalised. This is so that community input continues to shape the design of the program and how it works on the ground. Communities will be encouraged to contribute feedback to DAA Regional Staff or email: partnership.community.program@daa.nsw.gov.au Formal community consultations will be held at the end of 2009 and the Program will continue to be reviewed and refined to ensure it makes a difference on the ground and reflects community feedback.
