Care and Connect Linkers
Care and Connect Linkers have been engaged as part of our Care and Connect program to provide support for general practices, across the Nepean Blue Mountains region and minimise the waiting times for referral to appropriate services for patients.
The Care and Connect Linkers will be able to offer your practice advice, support and information to better enable identification and response to domestic, family and sexual violence, including child sexual abuse.
Patient support
Your Care and Connect Linker can provide your patient with over the phone, or face to face, support regarding domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) on:
- Initial support and advice
- Information/referral regarding relevant support services (housing, counselling, financial management)
- Advice on next steps (securing an AVO, safety and security)
- Undertake risk assessment and safety planning
- Information or referral to behaviour change programs
Practice support
Your Care and Connect Linker can provide your practice with over the phone, or face to face, support on:
- Information on best steps when managing patients affected by DFSV
- Information sessions on the role of general practice in responding to DFSV
- Information on relevant training opportunities
- Discuss de-identified cases/scenarios with best practice outcomes
- Information sessions on how to undertake risk assessments and safety planning.
About Our Care and Connect Linkers - Relationships Australia
Jodie is the program lead and the child sexual abuse and sexual violence linker for the Nepean Blue Mountains. Her extensive expertise in DFSV and Mental Health spans more than 16 years, working alongside allied health professionals, co-ordinating support plans for patients, case management for both male and female victims of DFV, training, counselling and group facilitation. Jodie has worked extensively with young people who have experienced child sexual abuse and or sexual violence.
Jodie can be contacted via email or at 0435 753 497.
Renee is the Care and Connect Linker for the Hawkesbury and Penrith regions. With extensive experience in supporting women and children experiencing DFV within homelessness and crisis sectors. Renee’s experience also extends to group facilitation and outreach work, and her professional expertise includes client advocacy, comprehensive case management, and capacity building.
Renee can be contacted via email or at 0432 205 544.
Samara is the Care and Connect Linker for the Blue Mountains and Lithgow regions. With over 28 years of experience working in various roles supporting vulnerable people in the community, her vast experience in the DFV sector includes case management for both male and female victims of DFV, advocacy, crisis support, and community engagement. Samara is extremely passionate about social justice and building capacity in the sector to achieve greater outcomes for people experiencing DFV.
Samara can be contacted via email or at 0423 263 134.
Download Referral Form/s: Domestic Family & Sexual Violence (DFSV) Action Plan for Best Practice, Domestic Family & Sexual Violence (DFSV) for Medical Director.
