Working together to stop the spread

Six Victorian local government areas, Hume, Casey, Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin, have been identified as COVID-19 'hot spots'. The Victorian Government has scaled up targeted community engagement strategies in key areas in response. For more information on the COVID-19 suburban testing blitz Hotspot intervention plan click here. 

As always visit the Victorian Government COVID-19 website for the most recent updates and click here for testing locations.  Click here for Victorian Government translated resources.

And please do keep distributing available translated health protection information with the communities you engage with.  Thank you for your ongoing work!

Edition highlights

• The latest translated health protection messaging
• New CMY report on the impact of COVID-19 on employment for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Victoria
• Racism during COVID-19: CMY survey closes tomorrow, Friday 26th of June
• Victorian Multicultural Commission Forum this Friday 26th of June - Refugee reflections: Building resilience and belonging
• Professional development opportunities 

In case you missed it....

We have 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 previously circulated resources. If you are not already subscribed to our e-Bulletin, please subscribe here. 

Important recent government messaging- translated resources

Communications with schools and families  

The Victoria's Department of Education and Training has translated a letter from the Secretary of the Department of Education and Training, Jenny Atta. The letter thanks parents and carers for their support during the remote and flexible learning period. Letter of thanks to parents and carers from the Secretary (Available in 28 community languages).

Please note, the Department has translated short messages that will be sent to schools if there is a required closure and re-opening. These will be sent to schools in the event that schools have to close for cleaning. 

Previously circulated resources include:

• Translated information sheets to support parents and carers to talk to their children about COVID-19 into 20 community languages:
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for parents, carers and guardians (The translated files can be found under ‘Talking to your child’- ‘Advice in your language’)
  • This information sheet is also available as an Easy English version which includes pictures- Talking to your children about coronavirus (COVID-19)- An Easy Read guide for parents and carers

COVID-19 - News, reports and research

New $1500 payment for Victorians without sick leave 

The Victorian Government recently announced a new $1500 payment for those who have a confirmed case or are a close contact and who can’t rely on sick leave. This is to ensure there is no financial reason for these people not to isolate and to go to work instead. More information expected on this support measure in the coming days.

New report - "Coming out of COVID-19 lockdown: the next steps for Australian health care" (Grattan Institute)

The report outlines seven lessons from the health system response should be incorporated into a new normal, including the recommendation to further expand telehealth. Read it here.

New report - "Locked Down and Locked Out?"

The impact of COVID-19 on employment for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Victoria." Read the full report here and the great infographic here. 

Hepatitis Victoria - Survey (in English)

Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL has launched a 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. The short, five minute survey will provide important insights into actual experiences, as well as feedback about how services could be improved  in disrupted times.

Coping with COVID-19: Young people’s health and wellbeing in Australia

The Burnet Institute are conducting research on the impact of COVID-19 on young people. Surveys to be conducted at three-month intervals over the next 12 months with a planned end date of August 2021. For more information contact Megan Lim or visit their project webpage here.

Other resources 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) rent relief grant

A reminder the Victorian Government is offering rent relief grants for Victorians experiencing rental hardship as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Please see the website for more information.  Note:  There are no citizenship or permanent residency requirements for applicants. More information about eligibility here. 

Centre for Multicultural Youth: MYConnect Support Line

A reminder that CMY are offering support for young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds during COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak with their MYConnect phone support service. The service can offer information and assistance to navigate services during this difficult time. Interpreters are available and all staff have been trained to use them if a young person requests one. For more information visit their website or the flyer here.

Contacts in Migrant Women’s Prevention of Violence: A new resource developed by the Multicultural Centre for Women's Health. Access the PDF here. 

Training and Professional Development

The Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Health (CEH) offering reduced rates on their Health Literacy eLearning, if you reserve before June 30, see here for more information. You can also browse CEH's other upcoming webinars HERE.  

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House) is now delivering their learning and development calendar online, via Zoom. Upcoming workshops include:

• Trauma Informed Assessment and Formulation (Thursday, 16 July 2020; 9:30 - 3:30, online via Zoom)

• Community Capacity Building: Engaging Communities about Mental Health (Thursday, 20 Aug 9:30 - 3:30 Online via Zoom)

Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) Online Seminar Series - Professional Development for Interpreters and Mental Health Clinicians (Wednesday, 15th July 2020; 3- 4 pm Online via Zoom - details to be sent to registrants in advance). Register here.

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.