QCOSS

QCOSS welcomes the recent announcement from Minister Sam O'Connor and Department of Housing and Public Works that 1,500 community homes have been delivered on church and charity-owned land across Queensland. This milestone demonstrates what can be achieved when government, community housing providers and community services work together to increase housing supply and help more Queenslanders access safe, secure and affordable homes. Every additional social and community home makes a meaningful difference for Queenslanders experiencing housing stress or homelessness, and we commend the Queensland Government and community housing sector for their continued partnership in delivering new housing supply. As Queensland grows, we need continued investment in social and community housing, alongside policies that increase the supply of affordable housing and ensure housing growth meets the needs of all Queenslanders. This milestone is welcome progress, and we encourage continued momentum to deliver the homes Queenslanders need.

When we come together, our voice is stronger. This week, QCOSS hosted our members and #RaisingQueensland campaign partners at the CEDA breakfast, connecting with leaders and decision-makers from across Queensland and hearing from Premier David Crisafulli. Our collective message is simple: when families are supported, children thrive. And when children thrive, Queensland thrives. We're proud to stand alongside a growing coalition of organisations committed to championing the needs of children, young people and families and advocating for the coordinated action needed to create lasting change. Join the movement to raise the standards for every child, every family, across Queensland: raisingqueensland.com

FINAL CALL 📣 Wondering how other community organisations are using AI, overcoming barriers and getting tangible value from it? Join our interactive workshop tomorrow morning from 9:30am to share experiences, explore practical use cases and discuss the supports needed for responsible AI adoption across the community services sector. 👉️ Register for the meeting here: https://lnkd.in/gcCqsqec

Supporting children and families is everyone's responsibility, and it requires action across government, communities and services. At the Anti-Poverty Week event at Queensland Parliament, community sector leaders came together in conversation with MPs to advocate for the changes children and families need to thrive. They reinforced a common message: no single organisation can tackle child and family poverty alone. Meaningful change requires partnership across the sector, collaboration with decision-makers, and a shared commitment to putting children and families at the centre of policy and investment. That's why QCOSS, alongside our Raising Queensland partners, is calling for a whole-of-government Families Strategy to help ensure every Queensland child is healthy, safe, connected, and learning. Together, we're building momentum for a Queensland where every child has the essentials they need to thrive. 👉 Join the movement: raisingqueensland.com Kenny Duke, SSI. Kelly Jebb, PeakCare Queensland. Maggie Saungweme, OzChild. Stephen Vines, Mission Australia.

Join our October Research and Evaluation Network webinar to learn more about outcomes thinking and gain a clearer appreciation of how Results-Based Accountability™ fits within the broader outcomes, impact and evaluation landscape. Our guest speaker, Elaine Hendrick, Founder & Principal Consultant, will outline: 👉️ The broader outcomes and impact methodology landscape and the distinctive contribution different methodologies make. 👉️ Fundamentals that underpin strong outcomes thinking. 👉️ The 'Results-Based Accountability' approach and how it integrates these fundamentals. Register now at https://lnkd.in/g3_a_Pft

Continual learning and development are essential for workers in the community services sector. Jess recently shared her experience with our new Community Door eLearning, highlighting its practical content and strong focus on the Queensland community services sector. Community Door eLearning is a free online training program created specifically for early-career community workers in Queensland – designed by people who’ve been in your shoes. ✅️ Self-paced learning ✅️ Practical, workplace-ready skills ✅️ Support your professional development ✅️ Queensland-specific content Whether you're new to the sector or supporting the development of your team, Community Door eLearning offers flexible learning that works around your schedule. Explore Community Door eLearning at: https://lnkd.in/gghn8xWa

The SCHADS Award changes are a significant and positive step towards recognising the value of care and support work. Community organisations deliver essential services on behalf of governments for Queenslanders every day. To ensure these services remain sustainable and accessible, funding the cost of service delivery is a must. QCOSS joins ACOSS Australian Council of Social Service in welcoming additional funding to support the increased wages for our sector. We are calling on the Queensland Government to work alongside the Commonwealth and invest in the transition. Without adequate funding from all levels of government, many organisations will face growing financial pressure at a time when demand for services continues to increase. We join with ACOSS and our colleagues across the country in recognising this important first step and calling for a coordinated national response that ensures no community organisation is left behind. More about QCOSS advocacy Fair Contracts. Sustainable services is here: https://lnkd.in/gPNdSaFz

Every child deserves safety, stability and opportunities to participate fully in their community. In a wealthy country like Australia, child poverty is unacceptable. Yet an estimated 757,000 children under 15 years - 1 in 6 children - live in poverty. Poverty can mean missing out on enough food, a safe and stable home, suitable clothing, education and health care. ‼️Through our support services across Australia, St Vincent de Paul Society is responding to increasing calls for assistance. Alongside this support, we’re calling for changes that address poverty. ✅This Anti-Poverty Week, 11–17 October, we’re urging the Federal Government to legislate official poverty measures, set national reduction targets, increase the base rate of working-age payments, particularly Parenting Payment (Single), and invest in stable public housing. Watch Every Child Matters: An Australia free from child poverty to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eZtq9yi3 #AntiPovertyWeek #ChildPoverty #Vinnies

When children have the essentials they need, families and communities thrive too. That's the future the Raising Queensland campaign is working towards. Today at Parliament House, QCOSS joined co-hosts Anglicare Southern Queensland and Mission Australia to mark Anti-Poverty Week and continue our united call for a Queensland where every child can thrive. The event showcased the expertise, commitment and collaboration already driving change across Queensland, while highlighting the practical actions needed to reduce poverty and strengthen wellbeing for children and families. We engaged with dozens of Queensland MPs to reinforce the call for a whole-of-government Families Strategy. At the heart of Raising Queensland is a simple belief: every child deserves the essentials they need to thrive. Housing, healthcare, education and opportunity should be within reach for every Queensland family. Thank you to everyone who attended, shared their stories, and helped strengthen the call for change. Join the Raising Queensland movement at raisingqueensland.com