No images? Click here In this February issue:
In case you missed it....We published a series of e-Bulletins focused on COVID-19 related information and resources. You can view previous e-Bulletin editions here, or visit our website's COVID-19 Information and Resources page to see a collection of many of our previously circulated resources. If you are not already subscribed to our e-Bulletin, please subscribe here. COVID-19 vaccine roll-out - translated resourcesThe Department of Health has developed and translated a number of communication resources for multicultural communities with information on the national COVID -19 vaccines rollout.
Additional resources are currently being translated including animated explainer videos, an editorial and factsheet. A video development guide has also been created to support community leaders and members to film their own videos and distribute to their communities through their own channels. Please also note that Medicare is not required to receive the vaccine. Multilingual COVID-19 resourcesThe Victorian government has been regularly releasing stakeholder packs, full of translated campaign assets communicating important coronavirus information throughout the pandemic. See below for a list of some recently developed assets. Please share through your networks! Victorian residents returning to Victoria need a permit Message: All Victorians travelling interstate must apply for a permit to re-enter Victoria. Do not travel to a red zone. To find out whether your destination is in a red, orange, or green zone, and what this means for you, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/<language>. Stakeholder pack available here. NSW Vic Border Bubble Message: A NSW-VIC Border Bubble is now in place, meaning residents living in towns along the state border are able to travel into Victoria by showing a Drivers License or other formal photo ID. The latest stakeholder pack (available here) contains links to the social media image and text in 10 languages. Every Test Helps Message: Even as restrictions ease and case numbers decline, we need to continue to encourage everyone to get tested if they’re ever feeling unwell, and to stay home until they get their results, as it’s the only way we will be able to keep on top of coronavirus. Support payments are still available for eligible workers who miss work. The latest stakeholder pack (available here) contains links to in-language materials in 57 languages. Keeping businesses COVID safe - Signage and posters for workplaces and community groups The Victorian Government has translated information to remind businesses and customers of their responsibilities, as well as posters business owners can print and display at their premises. Embracing Different These materials detail some simple ways to remain safe and healthy to ensure we maintain our vigilance and stay open. Campaign assets include posters, social tiles, video and audio messages. View the entire stakeholder pack here. Remember the Health Translations Directory is a comprehensive source of translated health information, including on COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Sign up to their newsletter here. Coronavirus vaccine information can be found here. Victoria's first LGBTIQ+ Strategy The first ever Victorian LGBTIQ+ Strategy will guide the Victorian Government’s efforts to achieve equality for LGBTIQ+ communities over the next decade. The LGBTIQ+ Strategy Directions Paper is now available, and provides a summary of the main themes raised during consultations with more than 800 people and organisations across Victoria. Government is now seeking further feedback on whether this vision and the directions adequately capture your vision for LGBTIQ+ equality in Victoria, and ideas for improving the lives of LGBTIQ+ Victorians. To read the paper and participate in the consultation, see the website. Extreme Hardship Support Program The Extreme Hardship Support Program provides emergency financial assistance to people who cannot access Commonwealth income support. It is available to people on temporary and provisional visas, and undocumented migrants, who have zero or very limited savings, income or community support. From 1 January 2021, all international students experiencing extreme financial hardship can apply, even if they have previously received assistance through ISERF. Updated FAQs and Community Sector fact sheet are available here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/financial-support-coronavirus-covid-19#extreme-hardship-support-program. People in need of assistance apply via the Red Cross here: https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/help-for-migrants-in-transition/help-for-migrants-in-transition/vic-relief. Research, news and eventsUNHCR statistics releasedDespite an estimated 1.44 million refugees in urgent need of resettlement globally, only 22,770 were resettled through UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, last year. This is according to annual statistics released recently by the agency. These are the lowest refugee resettlement numbers the agency has witnessed in almost two decades. The drop stems from low quotas put forward by states, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed departures and programmes. Read more here. Standards for health services in Australian immigration detention facilitiesThe RACGP is updating the Standards for health services in Australian immigration detention facilities. The IDF Standards are written principally for the multidisciplinary teams of health professionals who provide care to people detained in Australian immigration detention facilities. Further stakeholder consultation will commence in tandem with piloting the IDF Standards. For more information about the IDF Standards, email standards@racgp.org.au Victorian Refugee Health Network - statewide meeting dates 2021Victorian Refugee Health Network statewide meetings occur three times per year. The meetings provide a space to identify sector issues, prioritise areas for shared work and share service innovations. These meetings welcome anyone working in refugee health or supporting people from refugee backgrounds to access health services. 2021 statewide meeting dates: April 22, 2021 – 2-4 pm July 22, 2021 – 2-4 pm October 14, 2021 – 2-4 pm If you are interested in attending, please subscribe HERE to receive information about the meetings, including invitations, agendas and minutes. SURVEY: what languages and health topics most needed by women in refugee and migrant communities? Late last year, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health launched a health education toolkit My Body. My Health. Written in plain English, the toolkit was developed to help migrant and refugee women learn about their health and healthy lifestyle choices. It covers health topics of health checks, healthy eating, physical activity, emotional health, and the importance of vitamin D. Created in collaboration with the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health and in consultation with community groups, the toolkit is a series of five presentations that aim to deliver positive health messages to women. It can be used by health professionals, educators and organisations that support migrant communities. This year, Jean Hailes is working towards translating it into community languages and adding new health topics to the suite. The toolkit was translated into Karen and soon will be available in Tibetan. Now we are seeking feedback on community needs in Australia. We’ve prepared a short 3-question, 5-minute survey to find out what languages and health topics are most needed by women in refugee and migrant communities. 2021 Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Symposium Series Symposium 1: Putting it all together: Royal Commissions, Inquiries, Strategies & Vision 2030 Mental Health Victoria is running a symposium series in anticipation of what is set to be the watershed year for mental health and suicide prevention in Australia. Once-in-a-generation reforms will be guided by the Productivity Commission Inquiry, the historic Royal Commission into Victoria's mental health system, the National Child Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategies, and the Commonwealth's Vision 2030 for mental health. At Mental Health Victoria's first in a series of planned 2021 Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Symposiums, leading experts will discuss these significant state and national reforms and how they will impact and influence Victoria's mental health landscape. Tickets available here. Training and Professional DevelopmentThe digital divide and remote service delivery This webinar will explore the digital divide and its impact on the remote delivery of child, family and community welfare services. It will explore the challenges of operating when both clients and services are impacted by digital exclusion, and offer innovative solutions for ongoing remote service delivery. Wednesday, 24 February 2021 1:00–2:00 pm AEDT. Insights on the sector's telepractice knowledge will be explored during this webinar. Contribute to these insights by taking the quiz and testing your knowledge. Foundation House’s 2021 Professional Learning Calendars, including the Nurses and Allied Health Calendar, are now open for registrations. In 2021 the Professional Learning Program is offering courses in a range of modes including online, webinars, Blended Learning, and, if health protocols allow, onsite workshops later in the year. New, specialist material is being presented, along with more familiar courses. Details here: https://foundationhouse.org.au/learn-with-us/learning-calendars/ Victorian Refugee Health Network staffing news We would like to welcome Jeanine Hourani to the Network staff in the role of Sector Development and Policy Advisor. Jeanine has a background public health, policy and refugee advocacy and also brings her lived experience of seeking refuge in Australia. About the Victorian Refugee Health NetworkThe Victorian Refugee Health Network brings together health, settlement and community services to be more accessible and responsive to the needs of people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum. The e-Bulletin provides a regular forum to share news, resources and information to support practitioners and services in providing health care to people from refugee backgrounds. ConnectYou can contact the Victorian Refugee Health Network secretariat at info@refugeehealthnetwork.org.au. You can subscribe to the e-Bulletin here. |