How can Karumah help me?
Do you have HIV? do you live in the Hunter region? are you feeling isolated? would you like some support? would you like to meet other people in the same position? and do you have health care needs that are not being met? If you answer yes to any of these questions then Karumah may be able to help you.
What does Karumah do?
Karumah provides a community based case management program which operates from the principals of chronic care self-management. Chronic care self-management assumes that people are their own experts and encourages them to actively engage in processes that protect and promote their own health. The case management program is client-centred and evidence based and our case manager is qualified and experienced in HIV social determinants of health; nutrition; mental health and resources. She will make an appointment to see you either in your home or at some other mutually agreed location and will conduct a comprehensive assessment and work with you to set goals.
Isolation is an issue which affects approximately 80% of our service users; Karumah addresses isolation by developing social events to link people together (see events calendar for more details) to encourage sustainable social connections. Karumah also has an internet connection subsidy program which assists members to stay connected (talk to Catherine for more information).
Register for case management
Registering is easy; simply phone, email or call into Karumah and our case manager will discuss your needs privately, and talk to you about how Karumah may be able to assist you.
Our Staff
Catherine Conaghan – is our case manager and works closely with our service users to provide a chronic care case management model of service delivery. This is a collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates the options of service users. It is characterized by advocacy, communication, and resource management and promotes quality and cost-effective interventions and outcomes. Case management aims to strengthen outcomes – is client-centred – goal-oriented and evidence based. Catherine also coordinates health programs and social events.
Machele Kerzinger – is Coordinator for Karumah and is responsible for supervising the case manager and volunteers and reports directly to the Board of Management. Machele is also responsible for the provision of effective administrative support; communication with all inquiries to the program (both internal and external); and to maintain the day to day running of the centre.
Governance Structure and Processes
Karumahs Board of Governance (4 Executive positions + 4 community positions) derives its authority through Karumahs Constitution and the Corporations Act 2001. The brief is to consult and collaborate with staff, volunteers, clients and stakeholders to develop and implement a triennial Strategic Plan, as well as annual Organisation business plans. These documents outline our core values, mission and vision.
Karumahs Board at present has two sub-committees – funding subcommittee and the policy and procedures subcommittee.
Karumahs Risk Management Framework provides an Organisational Risk Assessment and outlines Karumahs plan for managing identified risks and the Occupational Health and Safety Hazard and Risk Policy ensures the systematic management of health and safety throughout the organization and the identification and management of workplace risk.
Karumahs Code of Conduct applies to the Board, management and staff, specifying practices necessary to maintain professional and ethical practices.
To read more about Karumah, download our information booklet
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