A new system for better employment and social outcomes: report of the Reference Group on Welfare Reform to the Minister for Social Services

This review’s purpose was to identify how to make Australia’s welfare system fairer, more effective, coherent and sustainable and encourage people to work. Overview The review, which was led by Patrick McClure AO, provides a comprehensive analysis and set of recommendations on simplification of Australia’s welfare system. It recommends an integrated approach which builds on four pillars of reform: Simpler and sustainable income support system Strengthening individual and family capability Engaging with employers Building community capacity The Government will consider the Report’s recommendations and will make further decisions on these as part of a longer term vision of Australia’s welfare system

Hearing her voice: report from the kitchen table conversations with culturally and linguistically diverse women on violence against women and their children

The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 (the National Plan) is a 12-year strategy that aims to make a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children. Under the Second Action Plan 2013–2016: Moving Ahead (the Second Action Plan) of the National Plan, Commonwealth and state and territory governments have committed to deepening our understanding of diverse experiences of violence, including the experiences of women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. We have also committed to working with communities to prevent violence, ensure that the voices of CALD women are heard, and support women and their children who may require a range of targeted responses. In 2014–15, CALD women leaders hosted 29 kitchen table conversations throughout Australia with women from more than 40 ethnic and cultural backgrounds about violence against women and their children. The hosts invited women from their networks and communities and provided a culturally appropriate and accessible setting, supported by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the key issues and some suggested responses raised by participants in the conversations. At the conversations, there was general agreement that CALD women share many issues and experiences in common with other Australian women in relation to domestic and family violence and sexual assault, such as finding affordable accommodation, achieving financial independence, undertaking employment, obtaining legal advice and locating appropriate childcare. However, these difficulties can be exacerbated by factors such as not being able to speak English, having no independent rental history, lower employment rates, lack of transport, and having few friends or family members in Australia who can provide support. There was agreement that CALD women are less likely to report violence, can experience more barriers in accessing support services, and are less likely to leave a family violence situation than other Australian women. At the same time, it was important to recognise that CALD women are not victims, but courageous and successful survivors with a capacity to flourish. Given the commonalities between CALD and other Australian women, this report focuses on 11 interrelated issues and themes which were identified as specific to CALD women and communities: 1. Understanding Australia’s laws, rights and cultural norms and new arrivals. 2. Gaining familiarity with and knowledge of support services. 3. Enhancing the availability and accessibility of support services. 4. Resolving immigration status and eligibility for support services and payments. 5. Reducing women’s isolation and promoting community participation. 6. Recognising cultural beliefs and norms about gender and marriage. 7. Building the capacity of community and religious leaders. 8. Raising professional standards in interpreting and translation. 9. Improving police interventions. 10. Engaging and educating CALD men to inspire behaviour change. 11. Recognising the intersectionality of issues for CALD women. The valuable feedback from the kitchen table conversations will be used to inform the ongoing implementation of the Second Action Plan and shape the future direction of the National Plan

Calhoun County DSS Child Welfare Services Review - July 2005

This is a Child Welfare Services Review for Calhoun County to determine to what degree services are delivered in compliance with federal and state laws and agency policy and assess the outcomes for children and families engaged in the child welfare system

Food Stamp Participation February 2005

These statistics are broken down by county, households, persons and benefits

Beaufort County DSS Child Welfare Services Review - May 2008

This is a Child Welfare Services Review for Beaufort County to determine to what degree services are delivered in compliance with federal and state laws and agency policy and assess the outcomes for children and families engaged in the child welfare system

Aiken County DSS Child Welfare Services Review - January 2008

This is a Child Welfare Services Review for Aiken County to determine to what degree services are delivered in compliance with federal and state laws and agency policy and assess the outcomes for children and families engaged in the child welfare system

Food Stamp Participation October 2002

These statistics are broken down by county, households, persons and benefits

Union County DSS Child Welfare Services Review - October 2009

This is a Child Welfare Services Review for Union County to determine to what degree services are delivered in compliance with federal and state laws and agency policy and assess the outcomes for children and families engaged in the child welfare system

Child Welfare Quality Assurance Review: Horry County

This report describes the results of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) Horry County Quality Assurance Review, conducted October 14-17, 2013

Edgefield County DSS Child Welfare Services Review - July 2006

This is a Child Welfare Services Review for Edgefield County to determine to what degree services are delivered in compliance with federal and state laws and agency policy and assess the outcomes for children and families engaged in the child welfare system