Welcome to SiREN’s E-News. This is your go-to source for the latest sexual health and blood-borne virus related news, training, conferences, events, funding opportunities, jobs, and more. If you have something you would like to share via our E-News let us know.

If you are interested in receiving updates regarding HIV and mobility issues then sign up to the CoPAHM E-news by emailing copahm@curtin.edu.au or visiting the SiREN website and clicking ‘Subscribe’.

Don’t forget SiREN is here to assist you with your evaluation and research activities. We can help you write funding applications, draft conference abstracts, plan and evaluate your program, and develop evaluation strategies such as writing surveys or running focus groups. Support is free but there are a few criteria we require you to meet. Start a conversation with the SiREN team by emailing siren@curtin.edu.au or phoning us on 9266 7819.

NEWS & RESOURCES

Consultation on the new SHBBV Strategies. The Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus (SHBBV) Program, WA Department of Health, is undertaking consultation to inform the development of the WA SHBBV Strategies 2019-2023 and invites WA health professionals and community members to participate in online and/or face-to-face consultations to inform the actions and priorities for the period of the strategies. For more information, or to complete the online survey, please visit here.

Safety, Risk & Wellbeing on Digital Dating Apps. Swinburne University of Technology is seeking participants for an online survey on dating app use for the project 'Safety, Risk and Wellbeing on Digital Dating Apps'. The study aims to learn more about 15-35 year olds’ experience of dating and hook-up apps in order to inform Australian health promotion and health services.
 
What it means to have HIV. SHBBV Program, WA Department of Health. A new video has been produced which aims to help people diagnosed with HIV to understand and manage their condition.
 
Safe Space Poster. Harm Reduction WA. This poster, available for organisations, brings visibility and support to people who use drugs, their families, and loved ones. To request a poster contact Ruth with the inclusion of your postal address on healthpromotion@harmreductionwa.org.

Stirling Empowerment Project. Harm Reduction WA. This new project was established for vulnerable people living in the City of Stirling area, experiencing issues with their mental health, including alcohol and other drug use. It focuses on supporting people to become empowered, independent and healthy. Consumers are supported to access free health services, including STI and BBV testing and treatments, brief interventions and harm reduction strategies.

Positive impact of PrEP but no decline in new HIV diagnoses among overseas-born MSM. ASHM. This media release reports on the latest HIV quarterly data released by NSW Health and calls for better engagement with clinicians to address rates of new HIV diagnoses among overseas-born men who have sex with men (MSM). Data shows an overall decline in new diagnoses in the state, but still no decline in new diagnoses among overseas-born MSM.

World AIDS Day 2018. SHBBV Program. World AIDS Day 2018 is coming up on the 1st of December. If you are planning a public event you are invited to submit the details of your event to be listed on the World AIDS Day Australia website. Please contact Param at the SHBBV Program at paramjit.kaur@health.wa.gov.au for details on how to submit.

TRAINING

Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation. Australasian Evaluation Society. This workshop introduces participants to basic concepts related to evaluating projects and programs. It is designed to de-mystify the evaluation process exploring a range of topics. 29 October, Perth.

Relationships & Sexuality Education (RSE) Project Seminars. The RSE Project. These events are suitable for anyone who delivers relationships and sexuality education within schools. The workshops are designed to assist you in planning to be RSE ready for 2019. 7 & 15 November, Perth.
 
Health Promotion Short Course. Curtin University. In partnership with the AHPA WA Branch, Curtin University will be delivering a Health Promotion Short Course. The course will assist you to build your health promotion knowledge and skills. The course has been developed for those already working in the health sector, those wanting to move into this area, and those wanting to incorporate health promotion into their role. 26 to 29 November, Curtin University.
 
SECCA App Training: Next Steps. SECCA is delivering this workshop for parents, carers, students, teachers, and health workers. This half-day interactive workshop will present plans for teaching relationships and sexuality concepts in ways that enhance engagement, learning and generalisation of knowledge. 29 November, Perth.
 
Let’s Talk about ‘Chem’ Sex. Mental Health Commission, Government of Western Australia. This training will provide an understanding of ‘chemsex’ and associated issues and harms. It will support AOD clinical/health workers to get comfortable engaging clients with conversations around their sexual health, sexual behaviours and ways to reduce ‘chemsex’-related harms. 14 December, Perth.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

AHPA Bursary for 2019 IUHPE Conference. AHPA is pleased to announce the release of multiple bursaries for AHPA members to attend the 23rd IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion in Rotorua New Zealand. Applications close 9 November.

2019 AHPA Scholarship. AHPA. Applications are now open for the 2019 AHPA (WA Branch) Health Promotion Scholarship Program funded by Healthway. Graduates from health promotion related courses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the health and community services field are encouraged to apply for this 6-month full-time paid health promotion work placement.  Applications close 16 November.

2019 Impact Philanthropy Application Program. Perpetual’s Impact Philanthropy Application Program allows philanthropists and not-for-profits (NFP) to connect, and allows NFPs to demonstrate how they improve outcomes for the communities in which they operate. Applications close 7 December.

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

2018 APSAD Conference. Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.  This conference will showcase high quality and state of the art scientific research into treatment, prevention and policy while also providing an opportunity for practitioners to share their latest insights and lessons learnt. 4-7 November, Auckland.

2018 Youth Health Conference. “Owning Future Change” is the premiere Australian interdisciplinary conference. Hosted by the Australian Association for Adolescent Health in partnership with the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association. This conference is for young people, researchers, clinicians, health workers and educators who work to improve, promote and advocate for the health and well-being of young people. 7-9 November, Surfers Paradise.

JOBS

Research Fellow. La Trobe University. An opportunity exists for a full-time Level B Research Fellow to work within a multidisciplinary team across two major new research projects: 1) Private Lives 3, a national study of the health and well-being of LGBTI Australians and; 2) Writing Themselves In 4, a national study of the sexual health and well-being of same-sex attracted and gender diverse young Australians. Applications close 11 November.