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Cabinet's Dreaming
Strategic Plan 2008 - 2013
| Our Story Cabinet's Message Our Aspiration Our Services Our Clients Our Collaborative Networks |
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When first created in 1973, Congress was intended as a vehicle for change. It was to address injustice, and to make life different for Aboriginal people in Central Australia. Through a community control approach to health care delivery, Congress played a vital part in helping Aboriginal people to take charge of their own lives. Community control, means that the people who use the health service, control the health service via a publicly elected Cabinet. They decide what programs are appropriate and how, when, and where to deliver them.
More than thirty five years on, we have made great progress in the delivery of culturally appropriate health care. Congress continues to play a central role as the largest provider of primary health care for Aboriginal people in Central Australia. Nevertheless, Aboriginal people still have by far, the poorest health of any group in Australia. Life expectancy for our people is up to 20 years less than non-Aboriginal Australians. Congress knows that there are no simple solutions to the issues facing our clients and a broad approach is needed. While it continues to grow and adapt to changing times, the inspiration for Congress remains:
Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands.
Cabinet’s Dreaming, is the Strategic Plan for Congress 2008 - 2013. It outlines the directions Congress will take over the next five years to achieve its aspirations or aims. Cabinet has identified key result areas which are used to assess the achievement of these aspirations, and offer guidance to management in measuring the organisation’s performance and effectiveness. Cabinet has developed this plan to provide a clear framework of the organisation and its vision. Working alongside the broader community, Congress continues to work towards the better health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Australia. |
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Congress provides comprehensive primary health care services encompassing disease prevention, illness treatment, disease management and health promotion.
Congress works to change the social, political, economic and environmental factors of illness, in order to create better health for Aboriginal people. Our service delivery extends to the following ares:
| Chronic Desease | Maternal & Child Health |
| Mental Health | Women's Health |
| Alcohol & Other Drugs | Frail Aged & Disabled |
| Sexual Health | Policy & Advocacy |
| Remote Health | Dental Care |
| Education & Training | Pharmacy |
| Male Health | Childcare |
The Corprate Services Branch provides all financial, human resource, asset management repair & maintenance, records management, corporate communication, IT services and legal administration for Congress.
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We provide services to Aboriginal people residing in Alice Springs and within a 100 kilometres radius of the town. In addition to this we assist a number of remote Aboriginal communities in establishing control over their own health services. These communities demonstrate the diversity of Congress’ client base; with communities spread up to 450km from Alice Springs, our clients represent a large number of language and cultural groups. Additionally, Congress treats many families and friends of local residents visiting from interstate. |
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In keeping with our ongoing commitment to community controp and representation, Congress works closely with a number of organisations and committees. Some of these key collaborative affiliates include:
| AMSANT | Aboriginal Medical Services Aliance of the Northern Territory |
| ASH | Alice Springs Hospital |
| CARHDS | Central Australian Remote Health Development Service |
| CAYLUS | Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service |
| CRCAH | Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health |
| DHF | Department of Health and Families NT |
| FaHCSIA | Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs |
| GPNNT | General Practice and Primary Health Care NT |
| headspace | Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation |
| NACCHO | National Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation |
| OATSIH | Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health |
| PAAC | Public Health Association of Australia |
| SNAICC | Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Childcare Centres |
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Photography on this page: Cristina Smith and Pieter Naessens
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