Page 2975 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 15 September 2015
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In 2011 the ACT government identified a need to ensure services were easily available to people in our community whose asylum claims were being processed. As a result the access card was introduced, aimed at ensuring services could be accessed without standard documentation such as a Medicare or concession card.
The position of unprocessed asylum seekers can be highly vulnerable. They often receive very limited support from the federal government and so do not often fully understand the services available to them. In the ACT, even where the federal government will not fund services, we work to make sure asylum seekers have access to education, health care and transport. The access card, provided through Companion House, helps people get access to these different services. What seems like a modest initiative can make a real difference for someone struggling to get to know a completely new way of life.
I also acknowledge the work of local services in the ongoing success of the ACT’s resettlement program. A number of specialist organisations, workers and volunteers commit themselves to helping refugees and asylum seekers overcome trauma in their past and build a future here. They will be valuable partners in the expected boost in the numbers in coming months and initial conversations are now underway.
The Migrant and Refugee Settlement Service offers a range of casework, referral and advocacy services as well as community development programs. It is active in providing settlement services to hundreds of refugees and support to many migrants, with English language classes, homework assistance, learn to drive programs, computer classes and other activities to assist in settling into the community.
The Migrant and Refugee Settlement Service provides ongoing case management of refugees for approximately six months of their settlement journey and short-term accommodation upon arrival in the ACT. It also helps in the sourcing and securing of long-term accommodation, orientating around local suburbs and teaching the use of public transport, organising essential registrations such as Centrelink, Medicare, banking and schools, and linking with social groups, among other things.
Companion House provides key health services, medical referrals and trauma counselling as well as other support programs. Companion House can provide general practice and primary health services for individuals in their first 12 months in Australia. Patients then continue to use Companion House medical services until a community GP for referral is found in their local area.
Red Cross, CatholicCare, Canberra Men’s Centre, Canberra Refugee Support and church groups in the ACT have all been active in supporting refugees and asylum seekers with essential items such as housing and food. The Multicultural Youth Service also plays an important role in ensuring that young refugees and migrants settle well into our community, including a counselling service for those overcoming great trauma.
All these organisations paint the picture of a community that cares. Their work is ongoing, constantly supporting the process of inclusion. They are also great advocates
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