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In this December issue:
- Translated materials
- Victorian state budget summaries and analysis
- Communicating with migrant and refugee communities during COVID-19: Learnings for the future
- Survey open on liver care through the COVID pandemic
- We're recruiting!
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.
Multilingual COVID-19 resources
Translated materials - doing the right thing keeps us on top of coronavirus
The Victorian Government has translated information to remind people why they need to keep following the rules.
Download the translated materials and share this important information with your networks.
Translated materials: signage and posters for your workplace and community group
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. Download the translated materials and share this important information with your networks.
New Health Translations December newsletter includes multilingual resources on COVID-19, Centrelink payments, Community support directory, Hepatitis, Gestational Diabetes, Newborn sleep routine, Asthma MyGov, Making a complaint, Adult Migrant English program and many more.
Research, news and events
Victorian State Budget 2020-21
The Victorian state budget was handed down on November 24. The focus of the budget has been to drive COVID-19 recovery and includes several big spend items in the areas of health, job creation and housing which will reach refugees and people seeking asylum. There are also targeted funding allocations for refugees and people seeking asylum and Victoria’s multicultural communities. For budget analysis and commentary see:
Communicating with migrant and refugee communities during COVID-19: Learnings for the future
Settlement Council of Australia's (SCOA) November report on communication through COVID-19 offers nine key learnings and insights that can be used to guide further information provision as the pandemic continues, as well as lessons that can be used to inform any future emergencies – such as bushfires, other natural disasters, or future health crises. Read the report here.
If we don't count it...It doesn't count!
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has released a report highlighting the inadequacies of current Australian data collection and reporting on cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity,
particularly in relation to human services planning and delivery (including health, mental health, aged care, disability and social services).
FECCA calls for the establishment and resourcing of a National Working Group to develop consistent and accurate measures of cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity to ensure adequate, appropriate, accessible and useful data collection. Read the full issues paper, including their 10 recommendations here.
Cultural Identity and Disability: Diverse Perspectives from Young People
Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) hosted a national youth-led panel on Monday 30th November exploring youth perspectives on cultural identity and disability. The panel was led by a reference group of young people from diverse cultural backgrounds with lived experience of disability. You can access the recording of this event here.
National Education Roundtable - Briefing Paper
This Briefing Paper provides an overview of the barriers to equitable access and engagement in primary and secondary education experienced by students from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Australia. It also highlights how COVID-19 has exacerbated these barriers.
Multicultural Safety Ambassadors program
The Migrant Workers Centre runs the Multicultural Safety Ambassadors program that trains and supports migrant leaders in Victoria to deliver education sessions on workplace health and safety to their communities.
Sessions can be booked here.
Report: Social policy during the coronavirus recession: a fairytale with an unhappy ending? A case study of Victoria, Australia.
COVID-19 impact on liver care: survey open now
Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWell have launched a short survey to understand the impact of the pandemic on access to testing and treatment, and management of viral hepatitis and liver health generally during this time. Please share with relevant clients, patients and your networks (survey is in English). Survey available at this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RW39HBX
Training and Professional Development
The Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Health (CEH) is running free workshops for Interpreters, Translators, Bicultural Workers and Multicultural education Aides (MEA’s) in Victoria to ensure that they understand the terminology around Covid-19, are up-to-date with steps out of lockdown, know what payments are available and can explain all this in simple terms and in the community member’s language. The training also provides opportunities for participants to reflect on how their communities’ cultural preferences and practices are affected by the restrictions. The workshops are currently offered online.
Timeline: October 2020 – March 2021
Interpreters’ workshops are offered by language; interpreters are contacted directly to inform them of the date of workshops in their language.
Bicultural Workers and MEAs workshops are run on demand.
To organise a Bicultural Workers or MEAs workshops, please contact Vivien Fox (Office Manager, Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health) to organise a date: vivienf@ceh.org.au
The Network is recruiting!
We are seeking expressions of interest for membership of the Victorian Refugee Health Network's Executive group. The executive provides strategic direction and oversight of the Network’s activities. For more information, including how to apply, please see here.
We also have a vacancy for a Sector Development and Policy Advisor with the Victorian Refugee Health Network. This is a part time maternity leave backfill position. Further details can be found on the Foundation House website.
Please share with your networks!
About the Victorian Refugee Health Network
The 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.
Connect
You can contact the Victorian Refugee Health Network secretariat at info@refugeehealthnetwork.org.au. You can subscribe to the e-Bulletin here.
