Engaging Pasifika Cultural Competency

Le Va had the privilege to be hosted by health and disability services in Whanganui and Palmerston North this month. Over 50 health and disability workers from 5 organisations registered to attend one of three workshops.

Two workshops focussed on enhancing the cultural responsiveness of disability support services. In Whanganui this included AccessAbility, Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority, and Te Kotuku Hauora or CCS Disability. We also supported Needs Assessment Service Coordination organization Enable in Palmerston North. Guest Facilitator Felicia Manase Participants held various roles which ranged from administrator, service facilitator, practice lead, NASC manager, team leaders, Socrates Support and Easier Living Centre coordinator.

Our mental health and addiction Engaging Pasifika programme is based on Real Skills Plus Seitapu – part of the Ministry of Health Lets get real competencies framework. We really like Te Pou’s latest tools for implementing Lets get real.  It was our privilege to work alongside mental health and addiction workers from Whanganui district health board and provide them with the right knowledge and skills to engage effectively with Pasifika people and families.

Based on the evaluation forms received over the three days, every single person (100%) strongly agreed that the workshop was excellent. Some of their comments included:
•    “Great opportunity for the team to enhance their learning. Would like to see more participants from within the sector take advantage of the offer of this workshop”
•    “Exceeded expectations”
•    “Ben and Esther were very professional and easy to understand, involved the participants”
•    “Loved the interaction part”
•    “Enjoyed Felicia’s presentation. Had forgotten the daily challenges people with lived experience go through”
•    “Good to have presenter with knowledge of NASC”
•    “Have more scenarios around NASC using good strategies when walking with Pasifika families”
  
We would like to give a special thanks for the warm very warm cultural welcomes and the great hospitality by AccessAbility, Whanganui DHB and EnAble. We look forward to continue to support your endeavours to provide quality services to all New Zealanders.