​​​​​1.1 Are there KPIs or an ​​evaluation attached to all of this already, or if you already had a program that yo​u were evaluating whether we could just adapt and build upon that.

Yes, there are KPIs attached to this grant funding. The standard NSW Health AOD Core Performance Indicators will be included in the grant agreement requirements. There will not be anything significantly above and beyond that; there is likely to be a reporting requirement on the number of children the service accommodated in the period, however there is no minimum benchmark for th​​is. 

There is an existing organisation funded to deliver this service that NSW Health has engaged for the last two years. The organisation was engaged through a closed non-competitive process on short notice with the requirement on NSW Health to later test the market to identify a longer term provider. 

NSW Health does not have an evaluation of the existing funded service. 

1.2 Do you have in mind the parameters for evaluation of this project in terms of funding beyond this i​​​nitial funding period.

Evaluation of the existing funded service and any new arrangements for the period to June 2027 will inform decisions about ongoing funding and will be subject to required approvals. The parameters of a NSW Health conducted evaluation have not been determined. ​

1.3 We are talking about existing services so I'm wondering, are we talking about services with extr​​a beds? Or what are the other alternatives for services like us who don't have extra beds? 

Are we expecte​​d t​​o work with other organisations? because it seems we’re looking at expanding, but without capital infrastructure funding, it's going to be quite difficult.

It is an acknowledged limitation of the funding that $633,000 per year does not allow for development of a whole new residential rehabilitation service, which is why the EOI has been contained to existing service providers. 

Applicants should describe how the required service can be delivered within the budget on offer, noting that the funded activity is for delivery of residential rehabilitation for parents of any gender. NSW Health is open to a range of models; it might be providing the service individually or partnering with another organisation. ​

1.4 If we already have a model for women, now we are targeting other people besides wom​en, are we looking at bringing them here?

The applicant should describe how the funding will be used to deliver residential rehabilitation for parents of all genders with children. The model of where the new service is in relation to the existing service is for the applicant to consider and describe. ​

1.5 We don't​ have a pre-existing model and it's going to be a trial, what is the support we are getting and what is NSW Health looking out for?

NSW Health is seeking proposals that meet the requirements to deliver residential rehabilitation for parents of all genders with children. ​

1.6 How can a ​​small service like us with full capacity enter the fray?

Organisations will need to determine their own capacity to respond to this grant opportunity. ​

1.7 For residential rehabilitation, how do we work? How do we work with the hospital? Are th​​ere any ideas which the government has when they put this out?

NSW Health is open to a range of models that meet the requirements of the grant opportunity. The proposed model may describe how the organisation will work with partners to deliver the service. ​

1.8 It's children aged 0 to 12, do you have an expectation around the maximum number of chil​​dren for an admission, up to 2 - 3 children per couple for example?

NSW Health is not setting a minimum number of children for an admission. It is acknowledged that the number of dependent children per parent/couple may vary. If, however, an organisation reported no or very low numbers of children compared to the number of parents accepted into the service, NSW Health would raise that as a concern. ​

1.9 Looking at the figure of $1.42 million and you've got essentially the rest of this financial year plus 2 full operational years. My understanding or interpretation perhaps would be that: it's pro rata to about maybe $150,000 for this financial year p​​lus 2 full operational years at $633,000 thereabouts. Does that mean the first amount could be used for some minor fit out and recruitment establishment as such? With the intention of service commencing or transition commencing from 1 July. A three-month transition period using that financial year’s pro rata funding to do so.

Funding allocation for 2024/25 will be a pro-rata amount of the full annual allocation of $633,000. Applicants are to submit responses inclusive of the proposed operational period and operational costs. Applications inclusive of costs for minor fit out and staff establishment will be considered. ​

1.10 So the Ice money, it's enhancing drug and alcohol services rather than being targeted specifically at m​​ethamphetamine?

Yes. Funding allocated as part of the response to the Ice Inquiry is for a range of alcohol and other drug use and services. This grant opportunity is for delivery of residential rehabilitation services for parents with children where the parent has harmful alcohol and other drug use. ​

1.11 I'm wondering about expectations in terms of numbers and I know it's about the model, whatever model we present, but some of us run a 12 week program, we for instance run five to seven month programs. I'm sure you're going to be looking at bang for b​uck, but is there any kind of thinking around what that model looks like? 

NSW Health provides funding for residential rehabilitation of up to 9 months. It is acknowledged that there are a range of residential rehabilitation models, including a range of program length. NSW Health is open to a range of models that meet the requirements of the grant opportunity. It is acknowledged that the funding offered through this grant opportunity will limit the number of beds or places that can be delivered, particularly with accompanying children. 

1.12 Is supportin​​g documentation of any kind allowed?

Yes. ​

1.13 Do we get to choose the location of the service? Does the program have to function near, or on our current site? Or could we look to provide the service external to our current one, for instance, regionally?

The applicant can propose the location of the new service. The proposed service does not need to operate near or on a current site. ​

1.14 Can you clarify what is meant by "dependent children". In the EOI it states 'provide service for people with dependent children', which in my understanding, would mean tha​​t the individual must have care of the child (or at the very least working towards care)? 

For this grant opportunity, people with dependent children refers to parents who have children aged 0-12 years in their care. There may be circumstances where a parent will have care of their child/children only if the parent is engaged in a residential rehabilitation service, so that on entry to the residential rehabilitation servi​ce the child is returned to their care. The grant opportunity is not intended to fund residential rehabilitation for parents who do not have care of their children.