Maria Budimir

Cohealth were engaged by the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) to provide primary health services at the Parkville Youth Justice Precent (custodial facility)

The service mobilisation had the following characterises; a high risk setting with a vulnerable client group; short timeframes to go-live; transition from the existing service provide to cohealth; rapid workforce recruitment & onboarding; complex compliance & quality requirements

This was also the first custodial setting in which cohealth provided services.

Responsibilities:

• Led the development of all project plans and project artefacts mobilising and managing the internal project team
• Key contact and to manage the engagement, planning & delivery with the DJCS project team Manage & oversee project risks & issues
• Work closely with the Project Sponsor, Service Director, Project Director, and Operations Manager to ensure the project remained on track
• Report to the project steering committee Manage the Parkville Youth Justice service mobilisation, overseeing the governance, contracts, risk and compliance, service design quality and clinical governance, finance, workforce planning and recruitment, property and assets, communications and stakeholder engagement enabling children and young people to have access to integrated, culturally safe, trauma informed care

Key achievements:

• Managed the mobilisation of a new health service in line with the service agreement timelines, requirements and on budget
• Received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the State Government (DJCS) regarding the smooth, effective, professional and collaborative mobilisation of a new health service Identified a key risk in cohealth’s ability to onboard a critical workforce to meet the service requirements and led the developed of a process workflow and the negotiations of employee compliance exemption requests
• Formed strong and collaborative working relationship with the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS), allowing for the prompt resolution of
• Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
• Delivered exceptional customer satisfaction by proactively addressing client concerns and meeting or exceeding expectations throughout the engagement process.
• Monitored progress against established goals, adjusting schedules and resources as needed to keep projects on track.
• Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team''s ability to deliver results.
• Achieved project deadlines by coordinating with contractors to manage performance.
• Collaborated closely with senior management to align project objectives with strategic company initiatives, ensuring that efforts contributed to overall business growth.
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• Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines.
• Prepared detailed reports on project status for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
• Coordinated material procurement and required services for projects within budget requirements.
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, securing quality materials at competitive prices for efficient use of resources.
• Ensured regulatory compliance by closely monitoring applicable laws and regulations within the industry sector throughout each stage of the project life cycle.
• Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.

• Form strong and collaborative working relationship with the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) Lead the establishment of the Brimbank Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, improving the systems and process that support the delivery of care in accordance with the vision of the Royal Commission into Mental Health in Victoria Facilitate and lead trusted partnerships with the Brimbank Local consortia, Brimbank council, cohealth execs and partner to ensure we achieve alignment between organisational strategic priorities and system reform Engage carers and consumers to ensure the service is co-designed and delivered in partnership with consumers, families, carers and supporters Draft comprehensive project plans used to report on project deliverables to the executive team
• Lead the establishment of governance structures, using these structures to escalate and resolve project risks Work closely with project sponsors and subject matter experts to understand and deliver on strategic objectives for each project and manage backlog Develop collaborative working relationship with clients, partners and stakeholders to manage project risks Provide accurate and sound advice in a dynamic environment Key achievements: Managed all project deliverables, risks and partnerships relating to the rapid mobilisation of Parkville Youth Justice Precinct health service from previous provider to cohealth, leading to better health outcomes for children and young people in custody
• Successfully established and delivered of the first Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Brimbank Led the development of the Model of Care of the Brimbank Mental Health and Wellbeing Local

• Manage the participation of the Victorian Government in the National Redress Scheme Provide expert strategic and operational advice
• Manage the performance and development of staff
• Manage the Victorian Government’s response to applications for Redress
• Manage and maintain positive relationships and provide support to staff working on the National Redress Scheme
• Prepare advice and analysis to influence decisions of relevant governance bodies
• Prepare reports, briefings, complex correspondence, and papers for Ministers Board meetings
• Monitor operational issues impacting the Redress Scheme, supporting and implementing continuous improvements and escalating risks
• Form and maintain positive relationships and providing support to staff working on the Redress Scheme, including operational guidance
• Build strong and nurturing relationship contributing to a positive work environment, enhancing morale, and respecting diversity
• Manage the delivery of a range of projects, events, activities, and reports, including implementation of Second Anniversary Review recommendations
• Key achievements: Implemented several Second-year review recommendations
• Developed strong and collaborative working relationships with other Victorian Government departments, leading to improved responsivity
• Established a supervision structure to effectively support the well-being and development of staff within the Redress team.

• Strengthen case management skills of custodial staff through the development of training, secondary consultation, reflective practice
• Provide coaching and mentoring to custodial staff
• Embed and trauma informed and gender responsive approach to case management
• Strategic planning Provide practice-based leadership, providing specialist advice to staff regarding the management of complex women
• Provide specialist advice across a range of collaborative panels across the west-metro area
• Review, develop and deliver training
• Support staff in delivering effective staff supervision and reflective practice sessions
• Key achievements: Developed an evidence-based case management observation study of custodial staff across the women’s prison system, the findings were used to inform strategic initiatives and staff training
• Led the development a women’s exit survey for women exiting the women’s system to share their lived experience while in custody
• Introduced a gender responsive and trauma informed approach to case planning and case management
• Developed a delivered a range of training programs to staff to enhance practices and lead to reduced trauma and occupational workplace violence Led the rollout of a strengths-based initiative for women in custody, through the development of collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders.

• Cover the role of Manager, System and Planning, Sentence Management Division Develop and implement quality assurance approaches to ensure classification and risk assessment process consistent with the Sentence Management Manual and Risk Assessment Quality Management Strategy are embedded across the Sentence Management Division Oversee the professional development of all Sentence Management staff through the development and delivery of training
• Provide practice-based leadership, making authoritative decisions based on sound practice
• Prepare and present comprehensive reports, briefings and submissions on professional standards and operating practices
• Contribute to policy, strategic planning, workforce, and practice development to improve service delivery across the Division
• Key achievements: Initiated, reviewed, and developed recruitment processes for Assistant Managers by working collaboratively with Recruitment Services to develop a work simulation activity
• Developed Sentence Management Division’s learning and development framework, which sets out mandatory training and assessments and incorporates a workplace learning guides for all new starters
• Led the development of a Learning and Development model in consultation with key staff
• Developed innovative solutions to the staff induction and on-boarding process
• Conducted a thorough analysis of operational improvements with a specific focus on improving efficiency and working in a non-silo approach with other key business units
• Developed Sentence Management Staff Supervision Framework, accompanied by practice guidelines and training to ensure quality in supervision.

• Manage procurement, contracting, invoicing and payment of the Men’s Behaviour Change Program across Corrections Victoria, providing strategic and operational advice
• Design, develop and plan the Women’s Service Delivery Model Lead the identification, analysis and response to emerging system issues which inform the delivery of rehabilitation and reintegration programs for culturally and linguistically diverse prisoners and offenders
• Lead working parties and committees in the development and review of programs and services Manage various contracts and service level agreements
• Prepare high-level reports and briefings
• Key achievements: Negotiated the Men’s Behaviour Change program contract and finalised the procurement, overseeing several challenges that had previously stalled negotiations
• Assisted in the on-boarding and mentoring of newly appointed staff
• Completed a jurisdictional review of the Prisoner Peer Listener Program Led a team of internal and external stakeholders to develop a range of programs and resources targeting prisoners from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds
• Managed service level agreements and operational services delivery issues for female specific programs and family violence programs Established processes in areas that were underdeveloped and failing to deliver by the due date.

• Support General Manager in delivery of SCWA Digitisation project (value: 4 million dollars) Prepare departmental briefings, high-level status reports and project plans
• Collaborate with SCWA operational staff to drive quality business improvement
• Provide strategic advice to Manager, SCWA regarding projects and business improvements
• Develop the new SCWA operations manual
• Lead and develop staff training
• Key achievements: Assisted in the management of the SCWA procurement process from final procurement stages through to system build and design
• Progressed and finalised several 2014 Jones Review Recommendation Into Unlawful Releases recommendations Assisted in the implementation of a range of process improvements across the unit which led to a significant improvement in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Supported targeted recruitment strategies to diversify the team’s capability base and improve workplace culture
• Built collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Developed comprehensive business continuity plans through a structured and comprehensive consultation process.

• Develop and deliver various CCS training programs
• Review training programs, to enhance learning objectives and levels of engagement
• Liaise and build solid working relationships with regional community work managers, general managers, and other frontline operational staff
• Assist Learning and Development Consultant in formulating case manager pre-service training.

• Manage all aspects of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) contract
• Build positive relationships with regions to support the delivery of the Department’s OHS commitments
• Undertake statistical analysis with the use of Excel
• Produce high levelled analysis reports which are disseminated to Senior Managers Actively participate in Regional Program Community Practice Committee meetings Provide strategic and timely advice to General Manager – Community Work Program in relation to the OHS contract, Field Officer training and development, other learning programs and ad hoc issues.

• Manage activities within the location to ensure consistency with operating procedures and legislative requirements, including recruitment, on-boarding and induction and performance management
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of Community Corrections Officers, facilitate the allocation of workloads, and provide professional supervision, mentoring, coaching and opportunities for staff training and career development
• Contribute and report on the development of local initiatives and business plans
• Co-ordinate locations operations including Occupational Health and Safety requirements and maintenance of location facilities
• Implement, monitor and negotiate access to a range of service options available to offenders within the area or location, and participate in the planning and development of appropriate community- based services.

• Marketing and engagement across the region to develop a range of new and existing partnerships with government and non-government agencies
• Contribute to the development and delivery of state-wide community work partnerships
• Identify key community work needs and trends of the West region and offender population to provide relevant work team, ensuring a diversity of placement opportunities
• Lead a multidisciplinary team with the Community Work Unit to ensure the achievement of required community work hours and all other targets and agreements
• Responsible for the implementation of all Occupational Health and Safety requirements relevant to community work.

• Lead team and supervise staff to achieve delivery of outcomes
• Supervise and case manage offenders with complex and high-risk needs, including Case Management Review Meetings
• Assess prisoner suitability and provide high level advice to the Adult Parole Board Promote continuous improvement through quality assurance including audits
• Attended stakeholder and partner seminars including VACRO, ISIS primary, Orygen Youth Health etc
• Conduct focus groups for the process of consultancy concerning the local and departmental action plan
• Assist Operations Manager in the overall management of CCS locations
• Participate in staff recruitment and interview panels
• Undertake performance development planning.