The Do It Yourself (DIY) Kickstart your Community Connector Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to assist rural and regional community leaders in attracting and retaining skilled professionals, particularly in the health and social care sectors. The program offers a structured, step-by-step approach to establishing and operating a Community Connector Program (CCP). It focuses on providing the essential social services and relocation support during the first year of resettlement—a critical period for long-term retention.
Key Features of the Program:
- Tailored for Rural Community Leaders: Ideal for individuals such as local Business Chamber representatives, Health Workforce Strengthening or Economic Development Taskforce members, council staff or elected councillors, and leaders from organisations like Primary Health Networks or Regional Development Australia. The program is also suitable for owners or senior executives of rural-based organisations from any industry needing to recruit skilled professionals from out-of-region.
- Proven Framework: The CCP is modelled after a successful initiative in Marathon, Ontario, operational since 2011. Identified by Dr. Cath Cosgrave during her Churchill Fellowship to Canada in 2019, the program was piloted in rural Australia between 2021-2022, demonstrating its effectiveness in the Australian context. A blueprint and practical tools have been developed to aid rural leaders in establishing, managing, and sustaining their own community-led and funded CCPs.
Four-Step Implementation Process:
►Ready: Introduces essential community development principles, preparing leaders to evaluate and integrate the CCP into their communities.
►►Set: Guides the structuring of the CCP initiative, governance and securing of funding, ensuring readiness to appoint a Community Connector.
►►►Go: Provides strategies to launch the CCP with precision and engage local businesses to utilise the program when recruiting skilled professionals from out-of-region.
►►►►Next: Offers access to the CCP Impact Network, providing ongoing support from Dr Cosgrave and the Attract Connect Stay team and supportive community and resources to ensure the longevity and growth of CCP efforts.
Testimonials:
- Glen Innes: Dr. Cath Cosgrave’s presentation of the Attract Connect Stay model led to the establishment of a Community Connector position, resulting in significant positive outcomes for the town.
- Western District Health Service: The Attract Connect Stay Framework has been revolutionary, within a few months of operating leading to the successful settlement of 17 health professionals and their families, significantly enhancing recruitment processes.
Enrolment Details:
The DIY Kickstart your Community Connector Program is available for enrolment to begin anytime and work at your own pace. Participants will receive comprehensive support, including leadership guidance, integration strategies, and access to specialised toolkits and resources tailored for community network building and program establishment.
