Quick Reference Guide

Quick Reference Guide Young People, Technology and Social Relationships Grants Grants of up to $100,000 per year, for three years, are available to develop, research and evaluate initiatives which explore the impact of technology on young people‟s social relationships, and mental health and wellbeing. Applications close 5pm Monday 15th May 2006 Application forms can be completed and then downloaded from the VicHealth website at www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/youthtech A background paper entitled Young People, Wellbeing and Communication Technologies can also be downloaded from the same site. Applications (four copies) should be forwarded to: Young People, Technology and Social Relationships Projects VicHealth PO Box 154 Carlton South VIC 3053 Applications by email or fax will not be accepted. Announcements of application outcomes will be made (by mail) in early June 2006. For further information please email iverins@vichealth.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9667 1361 Key dates Applications close: 5pm Monday 15th May 2006 Announcements (by mail): Early June 2006 About the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), fosters change in the social, economic and physical environments that influence the health of all Victorians. Underpinning the work is the belief that health is a fundamental human right; that everyone shares in the responsibility for promoting health; and everyone should benefit from improved health outcomes. The Foundation works with many sectors and with partners in the community to build opportunities for people to be informed, learn new skills and have greater access to activities, as well as to create environments that enable people to enjoy healthier living. Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit In 1999, in recognition of the growing human, economic and community costs associated with mental ill health, VicHealth identified mental health as a priority and established a program for the development of activity relevant to the promotion of mental health and wellbeing. Mental health is defined as: „the embodiment of social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Mental health provides individuals with the vitality necessary for active living, to achieve goals and to interact with one another in ways that are respectful and just‟ (VicHealth 1999). The VicHealth Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit is responsible for managing activity relevant to mental health promotion including:  Research, monitoring and evaluation  Direct participation programs  Organisational development (including workforce development)  Community strengthening  Communication and social marketing  Advocacy  Legislative and policy reform. Promoting mental health and wellbeing Our activity is directed towards strengthening three key areas for promoting mental health and wellbeing: Social inclusion (having supportive relationships, opportunity for involvement in community and group activity and civic engagement). Valuing diversity and working against discrimination and violence (having physical security and opportunity for self determination and control of one‟s life). Access to economic resources (access to work, education, housing, money). Please Note : The Young People, Technology and Social Relationships Grant will focus on Social Inclusion as the priority determinant. See the VicHealth website for further information regarding mental health promotion activity www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/MHWU/ About the Young People, Technology and Social Relationships Grant Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play an increasingly significant role in the key social and economic determinants of young people‟s mental health and wellbeing that have been identified by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation in its Mental Health Promotion Framework, 2005 – 2007.   People under the age of 25 years are by far the greatest users of Internet with over 40% of them using it (Lloyd & Bill 2004). Eighty per cent of 15 to 17 year olds own or have access to a mobile phone (Tjong et al. 2003), while the average age for first ownership of a mobile phone is estimated at 14 years old (The Australian Psychological Society 2004). ICTs create new processes of social inclusion, can contribute to ensuring freedom from discrimination and violence and facilitate access to economic resources. Whilst changes and developments in technology are rapid, there has not yet been a time when the learning, training, citizenship and enterprise potential from the creative use of digital technologies, has been greater (Davis 2002). „Cyberspace‟ represents a new sector for action which VicHealth would like to explore. To this end, a scoping paper entitled Young People Technology and Social Relationships was commissioned by VicHealth and undertaken by Johanna Wyn of the University of Melbourne‟s Youth Research Centre. This has informed VicHealth‟s initial development of these funding guidelines and is available on the VicHealth website. Social Inclusion Of major interest to VicHealth are the multiple influences and effects that information and communication technologies (ICT‟s) can have on young people‟s experiences of social inclusion/exclusion and their sense of mental health and wellbeing. As can be seen in the Mental Health Promotion Framework (attached) Social inclusion incorporates the ability to build supportive connections and social relationships, be involved in community and group activities and to participate in some level of civic engagement . “A socially inclusive society is defined as one in which all people feel valued, their differences are respected, and their basic needs are met so that they can live in dignity. Social exclusion is the process of being shut out from the social, economic, political and cultural systems which contribute to the integration of a person into the community” (Cappo 2002). Young people who report poor social connectedness or who lack the resources to participate in the community, are at greater risk of experiencing depressive symptoms, developing a mental disorder, attempting or completing a suicide or to self harm ( Glover et al 1998, ABS 1998, National Media and Mental Health Group 2004, De Leo & Heller 2004). These experiences are frequently exacerbated for those young people who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The Grants__________________________________ The Young People, Technology and Social Relationships Grants aim to capture the ways in which information and communication technologies influence social inclusion and subsequently wellbeing for young people. VicHealth‟s focus is on expanding knowledge about ICT‟s, building on existing good practice models and/or supporting the development of new initiatives. Whilst Cyber-space is regarded as a new sector for activity, it is envisaged that this enquiry into technology will engage a wide and diverse range of sectors including education, employment, the arts, government, community, health and others. It is anticipated that this will be reflected in proposals from partnerships of diverse institutions, organisations and groups, and that these partnerships will have the capacity to both develop and implement activity, as well as provide quality research and evaluation of these endeavours. Target group The Grants will target and involve young people aged 10-25 years within Victoria (or a subgroup within this age range (eg 10-14 year olds, refugee new arrival, same sex attracted, indigenous, living in remote communities and others), with a particular focus on those young people who are socially, and economically disadvantaged and their access to ICT‟s compromised. Focus of grants The background paper entitled Young People Technology and Social Relationships identifies the following issues or potential areas for focus of grants. Support is available through the Grants to develop or build on initiatives which address one or more of the following issues: 1. The capacity of ICT‟s to influence young people‟s identity formation and voice. 2. The role of ICT‟s in skill development as well as information provision and communications. 3. Citizenship and civic engagement of young people through ICT‟s. 4. The digital divide created by lack of access to ICT‟s. 5. ICT models which are designed to enhance educational access and learning. 6. Interactive web and games -based activities which increase skills, extend engagement of otherwise isolated young people. 7. Intergenerational issues between those who have been born pretext and those of the “text generation”. 8. ICT tools and resources which enhance sustainability of strong models across organisations and sectors. 9. Research about ICT and it‟s impact on young people‟s social relationships. Grant Objectives   To expand the knowledge base about young people and the impact of technology on their social relationships and social inclusion. To extend existing good practice models which enhance young people‟s social relationships through technology.     To design and implement new initiatives which explore and test our assumptions about technology young people and social connectedness. To establish, as part of this proposal, partnerships of diverse public private and non government organisations. To ensure that users (ie young people), are integral to the development and implementation of the proposal. To demonstrate an understanding of and adherence to VicHealth’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework and how the proposal will be mapped and evaluated against this Framework (attached). To address issues of sustainability as part of the funding proposal.  Strategies to be used in the Grants Because technology has multi-dimensions, a range of strategies can be adopted in proposals to address the issues relating to young people, technology and social relationships. Grant proposals will be expected to use at least one strategy from the list of health promotion strategies below. In building the knowledge base about technology and it‟s influences on young people, each proposal will be required to integrate a research and evaluation component alongside the primary strategy. These strategies include the design and implementation of: Direct participation programs including civic engagement programs Organisational development Community strengthening Advocacy Impacts and Outcomes of Grant Activity ___________________________________________ As mentioned above, grant proposals will have two elements: a primary activity/strategy, and an integrated research and evaluation methodology. The impacts and outcomes of project activity will be described and measured in terms of the intermediate mental health and wellbeing outcome indicators, as found in the Mental Health Promotion Framework. The following outcomes are sought as indicators of success in promoting mental health and wellbeing at four levels: Individual level: Involvement in community and group activities, increased sense of belonging, increased self esteem and self efficacy, access to supportive relationships, access to education and employment, self determination and control, Organisational level: Working in diverse partnerships, sharing resources and activities, increased capacity to evaluate activities, Community level: enhanced civic engagement, increased awareness of the need for safe and inclusive environments. Societal Level: policy and programs, appropriate resource allocation and responsive and inclusive governance structures. ***Whilst it is anticipated that proposals will have multiple strategies which address numerous levels, it is not expected that proposals will address all of the levels mentioned above. Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from a partnership of not-for-profit community groups and organisations, local governments, educational institutions and non-government organisations that:    are based in Victoria and are applying for activities to take place in Victoria; have satisfactorily acquitted all previous grants from VicHealth; submit applications in accordance with specified timelines and processes. What will not be funded?      Organisations which are not incorporated bodies (this is not applicable to schools and local government). Evidence of incorporation status must be supplied. Organisations accepting any form of sponsorship or support from tobacco companies. Capital works (eg building and maintenance costs). Interstate or international travel costs. Activities that commence before VicHealth‟s announcement of application outcomes (unless funding is being sought to extend or reorient an existing initiative in line with the objectives of the scheme). Grant Conditions Funding Agreements Successful applicants will be offered a funding agreement outlining their obligations to VicHealth in return for funding of the project. Healthy Environments To maximise the impact of health promotion in project activities, VicHealth requires all funded projects to maintain or create healthy environments through policy development and the integration of healthy changes into their organisations and activities. In particular:  funded indoor events must be smoke-free;  if providing catering, funded events/venues must include healthy food choices;  if serving alcohol, funded events and venues must adopt responsible alcohol management strategies including the availability of free drinking water, low alcohol and non-alcoholic choices;  outdoor events must adopt sun protection measures, including providing shaded areas, sunscreen and encouraging participants to wear sun protection clothing. Participation and Inclusion Funded projects should ensure:  activities are not difficult to access due to cost or location;  people from a range of backgrounds are involved in planning and implementation;  information regarding the project and its activities is widely circulated;  people from a wide range of backgrounds feel comfortable in participating in activities developed; and  venues and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. Acknowledgement of VicHealth Support Successful applicants will be required include VicHealth logos on printed and promotional material, display VicHealth‟s „Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing‟ signage at events, and use promoting mental health and wellbeing themes in public promotion of project activities. Evaluation and Reporting All successful applicants will be required to:  provide general information related to their project, which will be used to monitor and further plan VicHealth‟s activities;  complete a Final Project Report (templates will be provided by VicHealth);  provide a certified financial statement of expenditure. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Grants and sponsorships paid by VicHealth may be subject to GST. Where an organisation funded by VicHealth becomes liable to pay any GST in respect of services supplied to VicHealth, the amount otherwise payable by VicHealth will be increased by the amount of the GST liability, provided that the funded organisation:   has a registered Australian Business Number (ABN); provides VicHealth with a valid tax invoice, a proforma for which will be available from VicHealth. In the event that an organisation has a registered ABN but does not provide a valid tax invoice, VicHealth will pay the amount of the grant or sponsorship but not any GST amount. In the event that an organisation does not have an ABN registration VicHealth may be obliged to withhold 48.5% of the grant. If the organisation is exempt from income tax (under section 50a, 50b) and provides a statement (available from the Australian Taxation Office ) to this effect, this will not apply . Project budgets should be submitted excluding GST. Young People, Technology and Social Relationships Grants APPLICATION FORM PART A: ORGANISATIONAL DETAILS 1. ORGANISATION/S THAT WILL MANAGE THE PROJECT Organisation CEO/Chairperson or President Street Address Postcode Postal Address Postcode Phone Fax Email ABN MAIN PROJECT CONTACT Title Organisation Phone Project Title Funding Amount Sought Project Start Date Project End Date Fax First Name Position Email Surname Tick Boxes Where Appropriate Are you an incorporated organisation? (not applicable to LGAs/schools) Are you a not for profit organisation? Are you a Victorian based organisation? Yes Yes Yes No No No If you selected „No” to any of the above your organisation is not eligible to apply for funding. Privacy Statement I acknowledge that the contact information VicHealth collects from me is collected for the purposes of processing this application, fulfilling VicHealh‟s obligation in providing services to me and/or the organisation I represent, and allow VicHealth to disseminate relevant health promotion information. By signing this contact/application form, I consent to VicHealth collecting and using this information for these purposes. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CHAIRPERSON, PRESIDENT or DELEGATE ________________________________________ certify that the information contained in this application is correct. _______________________________ is committed to the delivery of the project described in this application form. (I n s e r t o r g a n i s a t i o n n a m e ) Signature Date ( I n s e rt f u l l n a m e ) 2. ORGANISATIONAL PARTNERS Who will be your partner organisations in this project? Partner Organisation Role and Responsibilities with regard to the proposal 3. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Recent experience relevant to the objectives of the Young People, Technology and Social Relationships Grant 4. CURRICULUM VITAE Please identify those people to be directly responsible for the implementation and evaluation components of the project. 5. YOUNG PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION Please outline the strategies by which young people targeted by the project be involved in the ongoing planning and decision making processes? PART B: IMPLEMENTATION AND METHODOLOGY 1. Provide a project summary. Describe the overall concept and activities of the project, who will be involved, and the project‟s relevance to the aim and objectives of the Grant. 2. Outline the project and research/evaluation methodologies to be applied. 3. Identify the alignment of proposal with VicHealth’s Mental Health Promotion Framework. 4. What evidence is there to support the need for this project? 5. Identify synergies between your proposal and current policy frameworks. 6. Identify mechanisms to be implemented to ensure the quality an effectiveness of the project and evaluation, including ethical considerations. 7. Timelines 8. Provide a plan for dissemination of the findings of this project. PART C: TARGET POPULATIONS VicHealth targets specific population groups with its investment. This GRANT is aiming to involve young people disadvantaged by social, cultural, geographic or economic circumstances as active participants as well as other subpopulation groups such as Indigenous young people, young people from culturally diverse communities, young people from rural and remote areas, same sex attracted young people and others. 1. What proportion of ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS are likely to belong to the following age groups? Identify particular age group(s) targeted by proposal 2. What proportion of ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS are likely to belong to the following population groups? Young people from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds Young people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities Koori communities Young people from rural and remote communities Same sex attracted young people Otrher young people: please identify % % % % % % 3. Proportion of ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS by gender Both genders equally Predominantly one gender If so, what % of individuals will be in each group: Male Female % % : O I INVOLVED? PART D: LOCATION OF PARTICIPANTS 1. Where are the ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS likely to be located? Across all of Victoria Across regional/rural Victoria In one or more Statistical Local Area (applies to regional/rural Victoria) Across the Melbourne metropolitan area In one or more postcodes in Metropolitan Melbourne Go to Question 11 Go to Question 10 PART E: PROJECT IMPACTS and OUTCOMES • • • List key objectives for your project Outline the activity you will use to achieve each objective List the impacts and outcomes (you expect from each activity 1. Please note: Objectives should be specific, time limited and measurable. Many activities could contribute to achieving one outcome. Intermediate Impacts and Outcomes should be framed in terms of of Mental Health Promotion Framework ie individual, organisational, community and societal level. Objective Activity/Strategy F. Proposals will be assessed by an independent panel, according to the following selection criteria: 1. Organisational partnerships of diverse organisations which have clearly articulated relationships and roles. 2. Demonstrated experience and capacity to implement and administratively manage the project and achieve the best outcomes. 3. Capacity of individual staff engaged in the project. 4. Capacity of the partnership to involve young people in the design, implementation and on going management of the initiative. 5. The proposal is evidence based and will contribute to knowledge about young people and the impact of technology on their social relationships. 6. The proposal clearly articulates the approach and research/evaluation methodologies to be applied. 7. The proposal demonstrates expertise in technological development and the cyber sector. 8. The proposal demonstrates an innovative approach. 9. Clear timelines have been provided 10. The proposal demonstrates an understanding and application of VicHealth‟s Mental Health Promotion Framework. 11. The proposal demonstrates synergy with relevant policy frameworks. 12. Quality assurance measures have been considered 13. Sustainability strategies have been provided. 14. Dissemination strategies have been considered. PART G: PROJECT MANAGEMENT 1. Provide a plan which identifies anticipated key features and milestones of the proposal PART H: BUDGET 1. Will you apply for funding for this project from organisation(s) other than VicHealth? Yes No 2. Provide a budget of expenditure associated with the project. Where the work is to be undertaken by consortia, the in-kind and financial contributions of each organisation should be outlined, along with the specific roles and responsibilities of the lead agency. Any funding obtained from external sources for this proposal should be recorded.