Policy, Planning and Strategy Branch information
Alcohol Strategy Unit is responsible for providing advice on health and social policy issues concerning alcohol, and works with other Victorian Government Departments to coordinate the implementation of Restoring the balance: Victoria's Alcohol Action Plan 2008-2013.
Strategic Planning Unit is responsible for the ‘futures planning’ capacity of the division, leading on strategy development and major projects that guide the synergies between the mental health and alcohol and other drug systems and other parts of government. The unit coordinates divisional responses to Cabinet submissions, government reporting frameworks, and departmental plans and strategies. The unit is also responsible for developing and updating the Divisional Business Plan.
Mental Health and Drugs Policy Unit is responsible for providing policy advice and co-ordination across mental health, alcohol and illicit drugs including advice on prevention and early intervention (complementing the work of VDAPC) and specific population strategies. Undertakes statewide co-ordination of support for the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy and Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs and leads projects supporting MCDS priorities and contributes to national reform projects. Guides community education and targeted campaigns in relation to harm minimisation and drug reforms and manages contracts with key agencies (e.g. Australian Drug Foundation, Beyond Blue VIVAIDS).
Legislation Review Unit is responsible for coordinating the review of the Mental Health Act 1986. The unit develops high level policy proposals and recommendations on mental health law for the consideration of the Ministerial appointed Expert Advisory Group, the Community Consultation Panel and the Minister. The unit also provides secretarial support to the Expert Advisory Group and the Community Consultation Panel and coordinates all public consultations.
The Legislation Review unit will also be responsible for analysing the outcomes of the final report, developing final policy positions in relation to mental health law reform, and undertaking the legislative process through Cabinet and Parliament.
Prevention Policy and Secretariat Support Unit is responsible for providing a full range of Secretariat support to the Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council, as well as coordination support for the Mental Health Ministerial Advisory Committee. In addition the Unit has a prevention policy advisory role.
Legislation, Resources & Analysis - consists of the following teams:
Funding and Budget Management team is responsible for budget coordination, development and control, financial analysis and strategy, dissemination of financial information, development of improved funding models and funding policy advice for the Mental Health and Drug programs.
Information Analysis and reporting team is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the major information collections systems, extracting and analysing information, identifying trends and performance benchmarks and preparing and disseminating regular service performance and activity reports.
Capital Development team is responsible for development of major capital initiatives, managing the allocation of funding to agencies for minor works/annual provisions, providing advice into regional and service planning activities and analysing and advising on capital development needs and emerging capital risks.
Legal and Forensic Policy team is responsible for providing legal policy advice, monitoring and advising on legislative proposals and instruments, the funding and policy relationship with key stakeholders and advising and managing appointments to key boards such as Mental Health Review Board.
Drugs and Poisons Regulation Unit is responsible for providing technical and regulatory advice on all aspects of controlled drugs, poisons and therapeutic goods for industrial, educational, research, veterinary and human treatment purposes, including Chinese medicine. Staff conduct inspections and issue permits and licenses for the manufacture, supply and use of drugs and poisons. The unit is also responsible for monitoring compliance with legislative requirements and investigating contraventions of the legislation.
Mental Health Strategy Unit is responsible for co-ordinating the development of the mental health reform strategy including the consultation paper ‘Because mental health matters’ and subsequent community consultations. The mental health reform strategy is being developed through a whole of government approach with a strong social inclusion vision. The strategy aims to deliver a more integrated community-based system that includes prevention, early intervention care and recovery with a stronger focus on flexible consumer orientated services.