Community Child Care Association Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan October 2017 October 2018
Community Child Care Association acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the First Peoples of this nation and the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work. We recognise their continuing connection to culture, land, water and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Contents Reconciliation Action Plan for 2017 2018 3 Our business 4 Vision 4 Mission 4 Guiding Principles 4 Structure 4 Our commitment to reconciliation 5 Our Reflect RAP 5 Our reconciliation to date 6 Current initiatives 6 Commitment 8 Staff participation 8 Community Child Care Association RAP Working Party Group 9 Our commitment over the next twelve months 10 Relationships 10 Respect 14 Opportunities 16 Tracking and progress 20 Contact details 21
Community Child Care Association (CCC) Reconciliation Action Plan for 2017 2018 Vision statement Artwork within this document was created by children from the following services: Berrimba Multifunctional Aboriginal Child Care Centre, Swan Hill, Victoria Save the Children Fund Kindergarten, Nowa Nowa, Victoria The Koorie circle with black fellas and white fellas Community Child Care Association understands that reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians is the responsibility of all Australians. We recognise the significance of belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families for them to grow and reach their potential. Our vision is to provide leadership to others in supporting relationships that are respectful, welcoming and inclusive for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Community Child Care Association s vision for reconciliation is based on the core principles of community, capacity and collaboration, which underpin our work as the peak body for not-for-profit, communityowned children s education and care services. Reflecting on these values as an organisation has led us to question and challenge what we do every day to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and appreciated in meaningful ways. As the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Australia, the Torres Strait Islands and the surrounding waters, the First Peoples have so much to share with us as we strive for more ethical, interconnected and inclusive communities. We recognise that unless CCC is committed to reconciliation through adopting a practical action plan, the small and significant changes necessary to shift from positions of racism, ignorance, regret and tokenism will not be achieved. We believe that our Reconciliation Action Plan will provide practical strategies for building and renewing deeper partnerships and engagement with Aboriginal communities, organisations, families and individuals so that we can learn from each other as we work to build a more equitable and socially just nation. Dr Anne Kennedy Chairperson Leanne Giardina Executive Director 3
Our business Vision CCC s vision is for an equitable society where quality not-for-profit, community-owned children s education and care services thrive. Mission CCC promotes public support for community-owned, not-for-profit services. CCC provides leadership and advocacy and works collaboratively to build the capacity of children s education and care services. Guiding principles CCC s guiding principles are Community, Capacity and Collaboration Structure CCC is an incorporated association and was first established in 1971. CCC is governed by a board of management consisting of 12 positions. CCC employs 31 people as well as a number of contractors. CCC currently has an Aboriginal (Wadi Wadi) staff member. CCC is a membership-based organisation. We are the Victorian branch of the Australian Community Children s Services (ACCS) and the National Out of School Hours Care Services Alliance (NOSHSA). CCC is currently contracted under the Australian Government s Inclusion Support Programme to be the lead agency for the delivery of the Victorian Inclusion Agency as a consortium with Yooralla and KU Children s Services. The Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) is a partner in this project. Our commitment to reconciliation CCC recognises and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land. We are committed to reconciliation and to ensuring that all our work is inclusive and respectful of the cultures and perspectives of Australia s First Peoples. We advocate for communities working together towards a better future where families and community are strong and the potential of every child is supported. We acknowledge that each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is diverse with unique characteristics and cultures, which provide a rich context for early and middle childhood curriculum and programs. Through our sphere of influence and leadership we will work to encourage education and care services to connect and develop a Reconciliation Action Plan for their organisation. We recognise that the principles of equity, inclusion and diversity underpin work with children. Our commitment to reconciliation will be promoted through our website, social media, consultancies, projects, resources and membership base. Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan In developing CCC s Reflect Reconciliation Plan (RAP), we aim to provide respectful, effective, positive leadership to the CCC board, staff, education and care services and the wider community. Building on new and existing relationships through consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and stakeholders will promote acknowledgement and significant reflection. Strengthening partnerships is an important step in gaining greater knowledge and understanding to further reconciliation. In developing our RAP we invited all staff, CCC members and the board to submit an expression of interest to progress to form a RAP working party group (RAP WPG). We extended an invitation to VAEAI, a partner in our VIA Consortium, for their wisdom and guidance for Aboriginal protocols and knowledge 5
Internally the Executive Director and a Professional Support Consultant champions our RAP. We will commit to achieving our deliverables for a Reflect RAP over the next 12 months. Our reconciliation to date CCC in our role as Professional Support Coordinator in 2008 worked with Yappera Children s Services in the provision of professional support to Indigenous Children s Services in Victoria. In partnership with Yappera Children s Services Co-operative, CCC co-authored Walking Together (2012), an inclusion resource for generalist services around Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customs and protocols. Current initiatives CCC s current initiatives include: Advocacy for increased investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early and middle childhood education and care. In submissions, consultations and through letters to state and federal government and politicians we have called for increased ongoing funding for existing and new Budget Based Funded services and Aboriginal Child and Family Centres Developing respectful relationships by connecting with Elders for Welcome to Country at conferences, forums Internally emphasising the importance of developing a RAP Communicating and encouraging staff as well as education and care services in Victoria to use Reconciliation Australia s Share Our Pride online tool Ongoing cultural awareness professional development training sessions with all staff, some external contractors and the CCC board members this includes: i. Regular updates on CCC s RAP journey ii. iii. Partnership projects with Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. Professional development from Koorie Heritage Trust. Providing fee for service professional learning in cultural awareness for education and care services by Aboriginal facilitators Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country at internal CCC meetings with a shared responsibility amongst board and staff members Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country at external facilitated training sessions, networks and other public meetings Uploading content regarding National Aboriginal celebrations, days of recognition and significance (including National Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week and National Sorry Day) to CCC website, members updates and Facebook page Promotion of VAEAI Koorie Education Calendar 2017 Ongoing development of a list of RAP organisations and other like-minded organisations that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey Practice of inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and images in publications and our website. Promotion of Aboriginal books, resources and events in What s New section on CCC website Promotion of Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2016 2026 Victoria and Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Schools and Early Learning to education and care services through publications, CCC members updates, Facebook, emails and face-toface contact Subscription to 100% owned Aboriginal national newspaper for articles of interest and to learn more about what is happening in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Establishing and building relationships with local Indigenous education consultative bodies and other education based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. 7
Commitment CCC commits to: Participating in the flag raising ceremony at the Melbourne office at the commencement of NAIDOC Week in July and at other community celebrations Contracting Aboriginal facilitators for training at conferences, professional development days Encouraging education and care services as part of the Victorian Inclusion Agency 3 year plan to create a RAP for their service Circulating Reconciliation Australia material and links to articles that promote reconciliation within our staff team and the CCC board Promoting website links of Aboriginal organisations that can provide knowledge and resources to build up capacity of learners in education and care services Participating in cultural awareness training internally and externally Advertising staffing positions throughout Victoria that encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply Continued commitment through the VIA and website to promote Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Schools and Early Learning Sharing good practice stories and initiatives from all education and Care services that demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Staff participation CCC staff participation in: City of Darebin Spiritual Healing Trail Walk Introduction to Koorie Culture, Birrarung Wilam Reconciliation Week, staff event commemorating local Indigenous artist and acknowledgement of National Sorry Day NAIDOC Week events Personal commitment and review of Reflect RAP. Community Child Care Association RAP working party group Our RAP working party group (RAP WPG) has two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. Leanne Giardina Executive Director Community Child Care Association (CCC) Aunty Rose Bamblett Early Years Specialist Representative Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. Brian Newman CCC Board Member Manager Children s Services, University of Melbourne Barry Hahn CCC Board Member Manager Social Policy and Early Years, Moreland City Council Annette Adams CCC Staff Representative Senior Inclusion Professional, CCC Marli Traill CCC Staff Representative Professional Support Consultant, CCC Sigi Hyett CCC Member General Manager, Kensington Community Children s Cooperative Aisha Bal CCC Member Executive Manager, Early Years Children s Protection Society Tina Papa CCC Member Centre Co-Ordinator, Shirley Robertson Children s Centre Kim Knersch CCC Member Quality and Educational Leader, Wyndham City Community Child Care Association gratefully acknowledges VAEAI for their wisdom and knowledge, which has supported the development of our first Reconciliation Action Plan. 9
Our commitment over the next twelve months Relationships Action Responsibility (Job title) Timeline (Month/Year) Deliverable 1. The RAP WPG commit to the Innovate RAP requirements RAP Convenor, Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director October 2018 October 2018 January, April, August 2018 May 2018 Define ongoing implementation and monitoring plan for RAP RAP WPG oversees the development, endorsement and launch of the RAP Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are represented on the WPG Meet at least three times per year to monitor and report on Reflect RAP implementation Establish Terms of Reference for the WPG for Innovate RAP. 2. Build internal and external relationships RAP Convenor, Executive Director and Program Manager April 2018 May 2018 May 2018 May 2018 May 2018 Develop a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations within our local area and sphere of influence that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey. Ensure the building of relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is consistent and respectful Connect with SNAICC for promotional materials for events Encourage our staff to attend a NRW event Circulate Reconciliation Australia s NRW resources and reconciliation materials amongst staff RAP WPG members to model and participate in an external event to recognise and celebrate NRW Acknowledge National Sorry Day. 11
Action Responsibility (Job title) Timeline (Month/Year) Deliverable 3. Raise internal awareness of our RAP RAP Convenor, Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director October 2017 November 2017 November 2017 As part of the induction of new staff members, talk them through our journey of reconciliation and our commitment to building a culturally safe organisation, and provide them with their own copy of our RAP Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness amongst all staff across the organisation about our RAP commitments Email the vision statement from the RAP to existing staff as well as any new staff members Develop and implement a plan to engage and inform key internal stakeholders about their responsibilities within our RAP Talk with current staff members about the ways they will contribute to our RAP. 4. Demonstrate marketing and communication of Reconciliation and our RAP Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Marketing and Communications Coordinator and Program Manager October 2017 June 2018 June 2018 June 2018 August 2018 Ask CCC staff and members to share their experiences of reconciliation in our CCC communications (printed and online) Raise external awareness of our RAP through various channels i.e. inviting our members to participate in our RAP Provide leadership in the reconciliation space for education and care services Invite education and Care services to participate in reconciliation events Facilitate group conversations through our sphere of influence for reconciliation conversations leading towards developing a RAP for education and care services Investigate stories behind any Aboriginal artwork that we display in our region offices or shared spaces Ensure the intent and deliverables of CCC s commitment to Reconciliation is visible to our stakeholders and in our work environments Ensure that CCC s commitment to reconciliation is woven consistently and respectfully throughout all areas of the organisation s operations. 5. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning and development RAP Convenor, Deputy Executive Director and Marketing and Communications Coordinator October 2017 Increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements by featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in our media and publications Connect and build relationships with local Aboriginal heritage groups to find out more about the lands our regional and metropolitan offices stand upon with the intention of acknowledging and including the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and incorporate local Koorie language in our business and physical environments Provide opportunities for staff to contribute their cultural knowledge through service provision 13
Respect Action Responsibility (Job title) Timeline (Month/Year) Deliverable 6. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning and development (continued) March 2018 Capture data and measure our staff s current level of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements Conduct a review of cultural awareness training needs within our organisation Research and promote professional learning opportunities for education and care services on reconciliation and cultural awareness. 7. Participate in and celebrate NAIDOC Week RAP Convenor and Executive Director June 2018 June 2018 Raise awareness about NAIDOC Week internally and in our sphere of influence. Share information amongst our staff about the meaning of NAIDOC Week, including information about local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting community events in the local areas where we work and live Our RAP WPG will participate in an external NAIDOC Week event. 8. Raise internal understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols Executive Director, Website Manager, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Deputy Executive Director and Program Manager January2018 Promote Welcome to Country app for mobiles Raise awareness of the Victorian Aboriginal language groups Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness and understanding of the meaning and significance behind Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols (including any local cultural protocols) Encourage staff/ WPG to read and resource VAEAI Koorie Educational Calendar 2018 Acknowledge significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dates, including Invasion Day/Survival Day, Sorry Day, Mabo Week, and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children s Day, on the CCC website and Facebook page. 15
Opportunities Action Responsibility (Job title) Timeline (Month/Year) Deliverable 9. Demonstrate respectful actions related to our core business and vision for reconciliation RAP Convenor, Marketing and Communications Coordinator and Executive Director October 2017 October 2017 October 2017 November 2017 Provide language for an acknowledgement slide for all CCC and VIA PowerPoint presentations Ensure the consistent wording of Acknowledgement of Country across staff email signatures also to add to PowerPoint presentations Encourage commitment behind our intended initiatives Procure an acknowledgement plaque for CCC office space and regional offices Ratify wording for Acknowledgement of Country on email signatures Highlight Koorie educators inspiring stories of practice in education and care services Draft and add Acknowledgement of Country on promotional flyers Draft and add Acknowledgement of Country to website and publications Offer staff a planning page on the S internal drive for suggestions of how we could celebrate/acknowledge important and significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events. 10. Identify and investigate opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment Executive Director and Program Manager April 2018 April 2018 November 2018 HR to develop a checklist for advertising vacancies/new positions for internal use that include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment agencies which would encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply Explore opportunities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, members or contractors to lead projects for CCC Develop a business case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation Research Business Australia and Business Council of Australia for assistance in this area Direct employment vacancies to Aboriginal employment agencies. 17
Action Responsibility (Job title) Timeline (Month/Year) Deliverable 11. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers Executive Director and Program Manager Develop an understanding of the mutual benefits of procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses Support education and care services to procure goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses Share knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses and any protocols to be observed with education and care services. 12. Demonstrate our marketing and communications to expand opportunities, actions related to our core business and vision for reconciliation Executive Director and Marketing and Communications Coordinator November 2017 November 2017 March 2018 August 2018 Propose a budget for artwork for future RAPs, internal CCC professional learning or other contingencies Implement a regular reporting mechanism to advise board and staff of progress in the delivery of RAP outcomes including an agenda item at all staff, leadership and service provision meetings Define ongoing implementation and monitoring plan for future RAPs Encourage commitment behind our intended initiatives by informing and inviting our stakeholders to contribute to our vision of reconciliation Direct educators when working with education and care services to Aboriginal organisations for further support and cultural awareness. This provides agencies to connect with local services to support children and families Investigate employment pathway for a local Aboriginal graphic artist for designing artwork for CCC and publications, website, etc. We commit that Aboriginal art and symbols would only be used following appropriate consultation and where permission has been granted by the artist for use, replication and distribution of artwork Monitor when, where and how often we publish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-related content (both online and in print). Aim is to ensure that we are providing opportunities to share knowledge and highlight Aboriginal content consistently. 19
Tracking and progress Action Responsibility (Job title) Timeline (Month/Year) Deliverable 13. Build support for our RAP Executive Director and RAP Convenor 14. Review and Refresh our RAP RAP Convenor and Executive Director September 2018 April 2018 September 2018 Define systems and capability needs to track, measure and report on RAP activities Define resource needs for RAP development and implementation Consider and review how staff and members from regional Victoria can contribute to future RAPs Complete the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire and submit to Reconciliation Australia. Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for review Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal endorsement. Our page design has been influenced by the silver wattle, a rapidly growing, hardy tree that provides an excellent habitat for many species. Seasonal changes in the plant s development are read as indicators of change; this document will be our indicator of change throughout our journey towards reconciliation. Contact details Name: Marli Traill Position: Professional Support Consultant Phone: (03) 9486 3455 Email: mtraill@cccinc.org.au 21
Community Child Care Association ABN 90 494 504 678 Reg A0030026F PO Box 1730 Preston South, VIC 3072 (03) 9486 3455 www.cccinc.org.au