Foreword

The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) are committed to working with funded organisations to deliver high quality services to the Victorian community.

In October 2002, DHS entered into a partnership protocol with the Municipal Association of Victoria and a partnership agreement with the health, housing and community services sectors.

The partnership agreement now takes the form of a 'Memorandum of Understanding' between DHS and the sector, and articulates shared vision, values and goals. It supports a shared approach to develop effective working arrangements.

Three year service agreements were introduced in July 2003 to provide greater funding certainty and more timely payment to organisations. The period 2009-12 will be the third three year service agreement cycle.

DHS and DEECD continue to enhance the service agreement business process, increasing administrative efficiency for organisations and the departments. From July 2009, service agreements are available online to authorised staff via the Funded Agency Channel.

The department continues to develop the Funded Agency Channel (FAC), an internet facility that supports the partnership between the department and organisations. FAC provides organisations with access to information, communication tools and business processes and is found at  https://fac.dhs.vic.gov.au.

Feedback from organisations and departmental staff is sought to ensure that the information in this kit remains relevant, user friendly and assists organisations to better understand the service agreement process and departmental reporting requirements.

Comments on improving the kit can be sent to the Funding and Monitoring Unit, Business Development Branch, Department of Human Services, Level 4, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 or emailed to Alex McGillivray Manager Funding and Monitoring Unit, Business Development Branch or transmitted via the Funded Agency Channel at https://fac.dhs.vic.gov.au.