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Koori Human Services Unit

The Koori Human Services Unit (KHSU) provides leadership across the Department to develop and promote culturally responsive services in line with the State's whole of government policy of Reconciliation and Respect.

The Unit has the following roles:

• Working with stakeholders
  Working with stakeholders is a core activity of the KHSU. The Unit provides policy and administrative support for the Aboriginal Human Services Forum. The Forum is the principal vehicle of communication between DHS and Aboriginal peak and regional bodies. Three forums are held each year. The Unit is a member of the Victorian Advisory Council on Koori Health (VACKH) Agreement and the Aboriginal Health Promotion & Chronic Care (AHPACC) Partnership. The KHSU manages the Service Agreement with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations Inc (VACCHO).

• Policy leadership
  The Unit provides policy leadership across the Department for the development and promotion of culturally responsive services. This is taken forward through the Improving Care for Aboriginal Patients (ICAP) Program, the implementation of key commitments in the Aboriginal Services Plan and development of the Communication Guide for use by Non-Aboriginal DHS staff.

• Participation in national forums and initiatives
  The Unit Manager is the Victorian representative on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Officials Network (NATSIHON) and participates in a range of national forums.

• Data coordination and improvement
  The Unit has responsibility for implementing the Koori Information Plan. It publishes regular reports on the health status of Aboriginal Victorians, including Koori Health Counts and the Aboriginal Services Plan Key Indicators Reports. The Unit seeks to improve the quality and availability of data, for example improving the identification of Aboriginal patients/clients.

• Coordinating whole of Government relationships and reporting
  The KHSU has responsibility for coordinating DHS' response to whole of government reporting obligations in relation to Aboriginal people.

Contact Details

Phone: (03) 9096 7032
Fax: (03) 9096 9210

Email: koori@dhs.vic.gov.au