More responsive and accessible community and health services have come to families and young people in Colac after the introduction of the Patchwork computer program.
A Victorian first, Patchwork is a web application developed in the UK by FutureGov to connect practitioners from different agencies working with common clients within a geographic area.
Municipal Association of Victoria President, Cr Bill McArthur said Patchwork would enable agencies to better connect and provide an integrated service response to communities.
“This web-based support tool will ensure that families, youth and vulnerable children are not left behind.
“Patchwork will establish a simple contact list of professionals that are working with a client.
“The list will help multiple agencies to quickly and easily find contact details of other professionals working with the same client, and is a way for services to coordinate with each other so that better support is provided.
“Patchwork allows practitioners to use the simple click of a button to better understand the needs of their client, rather than spending hours rifling through hard copy case files.
“In 2013 the MAV launched the Patchwork Pilot project to change the way governments interact with vulnerable families through improved collaboration.
“When our pilot began in 2013, we had five councils volunteer to take part. Initially pilot councils loaded 100 clients and connected with 44 different organisations to establish a network of more than 100 front line workers.
“So far, more than 180 organisations have signed up to Patchwork ranging from local government, State department funded agencies and non-government organisations.
“Patchwork is now live in 20 councils across Victoria with over 600 practitioners using the program.”
The integration project has been funded through Regional Development Victoria’s Advancing Country Towns Colac Project (ACT).
It is a collaborative effort between the MAV, FutureGov, ACT Colac, Glastonbury Community Services and Colac Otway Shire.
