Frequently Asked Questions
Q Are Local Government Areas required to either match funding or contribute funds?
No, there is no requirement for LGAs to match or contribute funds. However, should an LGA wish to contribute funding to augment the grant they are welcome to do so.
LGAs are required to provide administrative and accommodation support for the Healthy Communities Coordinator function.
Q Does my Local Government Area have to employ a Healthy Communities Coordinator?
The Australian Government requires that participating LGAs have somebody fulfilling the functions of the Healthy Communities Co-ordinator function. This person, working within the local government structure, will oversee and coordinate the implementation of the HCI to the LGAs target population.
This does not have to be a new person or a new position. An existing employee could undertake this role if they had capacity. Successful LGAs will be required to demonstrate to the Australian Government that the function is being performed.
Q Will my LGA be penalised if we choose not to apply during the pilot phase but apply later during phases 2 or 3?
No, an LGA will not be penalised if they do not wish to apply during the pilot phase. They will be eligible to apply in Phases 2 and/or 3.
Q What does the Department of Health and Ageing expect in terms of evaluation?
Pilot LGAs will be expected to monitor and evaluate their project(s).
In the first instance, applicants will need to identify the primary aims and objectives of their project as well as goals for the short, medium and long-term that align with the overall objectives of the initiative.
Applicants will also be required to outline an appropriate monitoring and evaluation plan for their project. The monitoring and evaluation plan must be accounted for within your project budget. The following details will need to be included in the evaluation plan:
- who will oversee the evaluation process; and
- who will be involved in the monitoring and evaluation of the project
LGAs should be prepared to work with the Department’s consultant to finalise and implement their evaluation strategies.
Q Do we need to establish arrangements with a university to assist in our evaluation?
No, there is no requirement to establish arrangements with a university to assist in evaluation of your program. Assistance will be provided by the Department of Health and Ageing’s evaluation consultants.
Q Is it compulsory to collect physical measurements from all participants to:
- i. be eligible for a Healthy Communities LGA grant; or
ii. Contribute towards the evaluation?
Q Can my LGA partner with i. another LGA invited to apply during the pilot phase or ii. An LGA not invited to apply during the pilot phase?
Yes, LGAs may partner with another LGA that has been invited to apply during the pilot
phase. An invited LGA may also partner with a bordering LGA not invited to apply during the pilot phase, so long as the invited LGA is the lead LGA.
When applying as part of a partnership LGAs will need to demonstrate the value of that partnership and how target populations will be reached in partnering LGAs.
Q Can we only utilise ‘accredited’ programs or services?
A Quality Assurance Framework which sets out the standards for programs and providers is currently being developed. Participating LGAs will be encouraged to use an interim framework to help test its appropriateness. Assistance will be provided with this interim process. Commencing in January 2011, programs and providers funded under the Healthy Communities Initiative will be encouraged to apply for accreditation/registration against the final standards.
Q How were the 42 LGAs invited to apply during the pilot phase selected?
A small group of LGAs that met key targeting criteria were invited to apply during the pilot phase. This criteria includes social inclusion priority areas, socio economic status, and rates of overweight and obesity. To help ensure pilot LGAs had the optimum change of being successful, additional factors were taken into consideration including capacity to undertake the project.
Q When will we hear if we are successful in receiving a Healthy Communities Grant in the pilot phase?
LGAs will be notified of the outcome of their application in March/April 2010.
Q Is the Department of Health and Ageing making public the list of 42 LGAs invited to apply for funding under the pilot phase?
The pilot phase of the Healthy Communities Initiative LGA Grants is a competitive process. Invited LGAs will be competing for 12 LGA grants and to ensure the probity of the process is maintained, the Department will not make the list of invited LGAs publicly available during the submission and assessment process. FMA Agencies are required under the Commonwealth Grant Guidelines to maintain the probity and transparency of grant administration arrangements. Information relating to the awarded grants will be made public on the Department's website in line with the web-based reporting requirements of the Commonwealth Grant Guidelines within the relevant timeframes.