We are delighted to announce that an exciting new membership option will be introduced to members of ACGB in 2010. Alongside our current membership program, the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement will now offer an enhanced level of membership, which will include reciprocal membership with the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC).


ADEC is the largest interdisciplinary organisation in the field of dying, death and bereavement with over 2,000 members and a substantial list of membership benefits. These member benefits include complimentary electronic subscriptions to Omega: The Journal of Death and Dying and Death Studies, two leading international journals in the fields of grief and bereavement. Members will have access to available back issues of both journals in .PDF and HTML formats.

In addition members will have access to conference discounts and to The Forum, a members-only publication that brings news of upcoming events, articles by leaders in the field and information on current developments and trends in the field. Members also receive discounted subscription rates for the Journal of Trauma and Loss, Mortality Journal and Living With Loss and copies of the bi-monthly electronic digest ADEC Connects, which includes ADEC news, events and Thanatology-related information. 

ADEC also provides a professional certification program. Certified in Thanatology (CT) and Fellow in Thanatology (FT) are professional certifications that recognize practitioners and educators in the field who meet specified requirements measured by a standardized testing process. ADEC members receive significant discounts on certification fees.

Members Only Section & Member Directory
Members of ADEC have access to the Member section of the ADEC Web site. This resource includes the online searchable membership directory, an invaluable tool that allows members to keep in touch with their peers and to make referrals globally.

Professional Development
In conjunction with the ADEC Annual Conference, the Education Institute Program offers courses and workshops on perspectives in death and dying, death education and grief counseling.

Networking Groups
ADEC members share information and ideas about specific areas of interest.

Information on membership rates will for 2010 are available at http://www.grief.org.au/get_involved/membership

Further information on these and other ADEC reciprocal membership entitlements can be found at http://www.adec.org/membership/index.cfm.
 
If you have any questions regarding membership, or any of our services, please do not hesitate to contact our main office on (03) 9265 2100, or by email at info@grief.org.au.

This month has seen the continuing refinement of our new-look website. Completely re-written, this site has been in development over the past 12 months and provides improved usability and accessibility.

The site is now easier to navigate with new and reorganised content.

The entire site can now be searched in order to more easily locate information of interest.




The website provides information on the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, grief and bereavement support information and resources, information on a range of education programs, resources available and details on how to become involved with ACGB.

A significant amount of new information has been developed covering child, adolescent and adult grief and bereavement support.

The site is dynamically updated and has a listing of forthcoming activities.

In early 2010 a searchable directory of bereavement services throughout Victoria will be added. Using postcode information this will provide information on a range of bereavement services, based upon their proximity to the user.

The new site can be viewed at www.grief.org.au.

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement continues to be actively involved in providing assistance to people who have been bereaved through the Victorian bushfires.
 
We have been funded for 12-months to provide Bushfire Specialist Bereavement Counsellors in four of the fire-affected regions where there has been a particular request for additional assistance. The team of five counsellors, under the leadership of Annie Norrish, operate from the Cobaw Community Health Centre (CHC) at Kyneton, the Seymour Shire offices, the Nillumbik CHC in Eltham and the Latrobe CHC in Gippsland.

Funding has been approved for 18-months to provide 12 support groups for adults bereaved through the bushfires. These groups will be located in fire-affected locations and metropolitan areas, in accordance with the requests of people wishing to attend. These groups have already met in Kinglake, North Melbourne, Eltham, Healesville and Strathewen. A brochure detailing these Bushfire Discussion and Support Groups can be downloaded here.

Funding has also been received from the Department of Health to undertake a needs analysis focusing upon the requirements of children bereaved as a result of the bushfires.

The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental
Health, Beyondblue, the Australian Red Cross and the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement have recently publish a booklet titled Looking after yourself after a disaster.

This publication covers - Common reactions to an extraordinary event; Dealing with the emotional impact of a natural disaster; When the reaction or distress does not settle; Am I more at risk?; Worksheets and Things to remember. This booklet is designed to help individuals understand the reactions they - or someone they know - may be experiencing. It contains practical advice, numbers to call and websites to visit if they need extra information or support.

It emphasises the message that following a disaster, it's important to remember that you are not alone and that help is available. It can be downloaded here, or alternatively hard copies are available from Beyondblue by contacting their info line on 1300 22 4636.

Remember that details on a range of bushfire specific services can be found on our dedicated web page located here.

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The ACGB is funded by the Department of Human Services to provide a statewide specialist bereavement service for individuals, children and families who need assistance following the death of someone close to them. A range of specialist services and programs are provided across Victoria, and currently we provide support services for over 1,000 new people each year.

As part of these services the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement provides two toll-free telephone services for bereaved Victorians and those who care for them.

Bereavement Information and Referral Service
This service provides information and referral assistance to members of the general public who need information on bereavement services available within Victoria. The service can also provide information on bereavement related issues. The service is unable to provide telephone bereavement counselling to callers. Download a copy of our brochure or call 1300 664 786.

Practitioner Consultancy Service
This service provides information, consultation and support for practitioners who are working with bereaved clients experiencing complex and prolonged bereavements. Download a copy of our brochure or call 1300 858 113.

Both telephone services operate Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

In addition, the service provides over 30 bereavement support programs throughout Victoria and bereavement counselling services in a number of locations. For further information telephone the service on (03) 9265-2111.