#iAOD16 presentation by Jeff Gavin (Manager, APSU at SHARC) and Marg Quon (Family member, APSU at SHARC). See http://www.regen.org.au/more-events/724-2016-innovation-seminar-11-may for event details.

1. ASSOCIATION OF PARTICIPATING SERVICE USERS
Engaging and Supporting
Consumers across Victoria
Jeff Gavin – Manager APSU

2. APSU has been developed to ensure that people who use
alcohol and other drug services opinions, ideas and
experiences contribute to policy, research, service
provision and professional development.
 Service area of SHARC
 Membership Based
 Advice from the APSU Think Tank
 State-wide capacity building.
 Systemic advocacy
 Recognised as a semi peak body for
consumers
 Participation on advisory, reference,
steering committees
 Training for consumers and service
providers
ABOUT APSU

3. PEER MODEL MANUAL
 Peer Helper Training
 Described as snapshot of cert IV AOD
 Increase skills and knowledge levels
 Build Self Esteem
 Networking with peers
 Experts By Experience
 Graduates of Peer Helper
 Training in advocacy, leadership skills, facilitation and
organising skills
 Speaker Bureau
 Members are people who are willing to speak publically at
forums, meetings, presentations, conferences.
 Speaker Bureau members nominate themselves for this role and
they choose what topics they are prepared to speak about.
 Provided Training, briefing and debriefing

4.  A way to garner consumer experiences
accessing the Victorian AOD treatment
system
 Developed in response to the AOD treatment
service reform
 Sought feedback from the APSU think tank in
designing the survey
 Survey can be accessed by ringing the 1300
number or online
 APSU volunteers (peers) answered the phone
or returned calls if out of hours to complete
the survey
www.apsuonline.org.au

5. Consumer Participation
Three parts to the manual
Part One: Consumer participation in the AOD sector
Part Two: A plan for Organisations
Part Three: Practical examples of consumer participation
 A practical guide to consumer participation
 Manual has become the basis of the consumer participation
training package delivered by APSU @ SHARC and Taskforce. (A
project funded by the Federal Department of Health, Substance Misuse Service Delivery Grant Fund)

6. Fostering Family Participation
 Companion to Straight from the Source
 Identified need for a more specific resource for family
 Family members participated in focus groups, forums and
surveys
 Interviews conducted with service providers
Three parts to the manual
Part One: Family participation in the AOD sector.
Part Two: A plan for Organisations
Part Three: Examples of successful family participation
activities.

7. PARTICIPATION – A FAMILY MEMBERS EXPERIENCE –MARG
 Consultation /input for Broadening the Source -APSU
 Peer facilitator
 Attended training, contributed to the facilitator training manual
 Workshops on development of policy
 Contributed to government policies and reviews-made possible by FDH
 Pharmaceuticals, Civil Commitment Act
 Spoken to AOD workers at conferences regarding what families can tell you
 Advisory committee, interview panels, Supper Club, forums
Family Experience of AddictionShire of Yarra Ranges Vista
leadership program
Organised 2 forums

8. 
 Topical Newsletter
 Written by consumers for
consumers
 Contributors remunerated
for their stories & artwork
 Hardcopies posted to
members

9. BECOME A MEMBER
APSU believes that individuals who use alcohol and other drug
treatment services are the reason the system exits; their needs,
strengths and expertise should drive the system.
Membership is free and we encourage all service users, family
members and service providers to join us in having a say.
www.apsuonline.org.au