Training for Frontline Health and Community Workers Asking the Question : Are you (or is the person) of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Origin?

Training overview 1.Why ‘asking the question’ is important 2. About identity and origin 3.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives 4.A snap shot of Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations 5.Addressing concerns raised by service users 6.Organizational policies and procedures

Activity One On a sticky note, write down any concerns you might have about asking the question: “Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin” Your response will remain confidential

Why asking the question is important? To obtain reliable health care data on Aboriginal people accessing services To help the design, delivery and evaluation of services to be more responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people To assist policy makers and community organizations to understand and improve the health of Aboriginal people

Closing the Health Gap Life expectancy for Aboriginal Australians is 67.2 for males and 72.9 for females compared to 78.7 and 82.6 for non- Aboriginal Australians respectively Aboriginal children in Victoria have three times higher rates of chronic ear disease and have a higher probability of dying under 5 years than other Australian children

About identity and origin Aboriginal identity is not tied to skin colour Aboriginal people may be fair haired and fair skinned or of mixed race Aboriginal people are comprised of diverse communities across mainland Australia and Tasmania - each with their own name, language and traditions Torres Strait Islander culture, race and identity are distinct from Aboriginal people residing in mainland Australia “A

About identity and origin If a person identifies as Aboriginal, then they must be accepted as Aboriginal by health services Formal documentation of Aboriginality is not required – although some other service providers may request this information. “A

About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives Reading about Aboriginal perspectives helps raise awareness of cultural issues and improves your understanding of past and present In your own time - visit

Victorian Aboriginal Population: A Snap shot lth/publications/snapshot.htm The Victorian Aboriginal population – a snapshot, covers the history, diversity and strength of Victoria’s contemporary Aboriginal people

Activity Two Read the apology to the Stolen Generation and reflect on the following two questions: 1.In what ways to you think the living memory of ‘Stolen Generations policies’ would impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s access and use of health services today? 2.How would the living memory of ‘Stolen Generation’ policies impact on being asked to identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.

How to ask the question? It is mandatory for all health services in Australia to collect the following information: “Are you (or is the person) of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin?” The choice of answers include the following: No Yes, Aboriginal Yes, Torres Strait Islander Yes, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

How to ask the question? It is important to ask the question exactly as it is worded Respond to issues of concern with factual information Reassure that this information is required to ensure they have the right health care, will be handled in confidence, and their privacy will be respected

What about children? When children are receiving a health service, all parents, guardians and carers should be asked if the child receiving the service is a person of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin. Remember that within one family children may have different cultural origins.

The right to not disclose origin Everyone has the right to not disclose their origin Important for health and community workers to have the knowledge and skills to explain to clients why this information is important for their health care

The right to not disclose origin However answering this question should not be a requirement of the service Regular reviews of client record are required as clients may change their mind about identifying

Activity Four: Asking the question - Training Video hgap/trainingresources Following the video take the time to read pages 31 – 33 of the Training Resource

Activity Five: Asking the question – Quiz Page 34 – Training Resource

Best practice for organizations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin is a mandatory data requirement Standard guidelines and data recording are required according to the National Health Data Dictionary Quality assurance processes should be regularly in place to review client data and follow up missing data

Activity Six: Organizational procedures 1.What specific policies and procedures are in place relating to ‘asking the question’ 2.Who is responsible within the organization for implementing these procedures 3.What are the procedures and findings for reviewing client’s information records

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