| The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), the peak national body representing multicultural and ethnic communities, is facilitating the establishment of the ‘Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative’, a national voice to provide leadership and advice on policy, research, and practice to improve access and equity and achieve better health outcomes for Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Following engagement with key stakeholders, FECCA is now inviting feedback from healthcare providers, consumers, and researchers to inform the further development of the proposed Collaborative. FECCA Chairperson, Ms. Mary Patetsos, said the COVID-19 pandemic had clearly highlighted inequities and disparities experienced by multicultural communities in the COVID-19 response. FECCA strongly advocated for the establishment of the CALD Communities COVID-19 Health Advisory Group, a national advisory group providing advice to the Federal Government. Significant progress has been made in ensuring culturally appropriate messaging to and engagement with CALD communities, and in improving data collection which informs the targeting of public health initiatives and the vaccine rollout. The success of this partnership with the Government and the organisations involved has inspired and informed the need for the proposed Collaborative on broader health issues. “There is currently no national unified voice on multicultural health issues,” Ms Patetsos said. “FECCA believes the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative would be instrumental in providing national leadership and advice on policy, research, and practice, to improve access and equity and achieve better culturally appropriate health outcomes for Australians from multicultural backgrounds.” Ms Patetsos said FECCA has been consulting with key healthcare providers, researchers, and advocates in the multicultural health space about the Collaborative. FECCA is currently undertaking a range of projects in the pandemic response, including engagement with CALD communities around COVID-19 messaging and assistance for multicultural groups to engage with their communities to encourage vaccine uptake. On broader health issues, FECCA has recently been involved in projects with the Therapeutics Goods Administration, Cancer Australia, the Australian Digital Health Agency and NPS MedicineWise, and represents the CALD consumer voice on various national health advisory groups. “FECCA is now inviting expressions of interest and feedback on the proposal from healthcare providers, consumers, and researchers to inform the further development of the proposed Collaborative.” For further information or to indicate your potential involvement, please contact admin@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com ********** For media inquiries contact: 0401 125 370 or media@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com |
Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative to provide national voice for CALD health
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), the peak national body representing multicultural and ethnic communities, is facilitating the establishment of the ‘Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative’, a national voice to provide leadership and advice on policy, research, and practice to improve access and equity and achieve better health outcomes for Australians from culturally […]
EnCOMPASS community connectors to help CALD older people navigate aged care
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA), Australia’s peak multicultural organisation, and partnership of 22 organisations, launch the EnCOMPASS Multicultural Aged Care Connector Program to improve access to culturally appropriate aged care services. FECCA Chief Executive Officer, Mohammad Al-Khafaji congratulated the selected EnCOMPASS partners on their strong commitment to serving the community and […]
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA), Australia’s peak multicultural organisation, and partnership of 22 organisations, launch the EnCOMPASS Multicultural Aged Care Connector Program to improve access to culturally appropriate aged care services.
FECCA Chief Executive Officer, Mohammad Al-Khafaji congratulated the selected EnCOMPASS partners on their strong commitment to serving the community and thanked them for partnering to deliver this program.
“Congratulations to the selected EnCOMPASS partners who have demonstrated strong commitment to helping aging multicultural Australians, and who will continue to serve the community. I look forward to their partnership with us as we deliver this important program.” said Mr Al-Khafaji
Many older people from migrant backgrounds struggle with the complexity of the aged care system and unable to access services. This program sets to address this issue.
“There are hundreds of distinct multicultural communities in Australia with their own ways of caring for elders. They are seeking the support that could help them navigate the complex system and respond to their cultural needs.” said Mr Al-Khafaji
“EnCOMPASS partners have strong connection to community and they will work hard to ensure older persons from multicultural backgrounds can access aged care services when they need it.” said Mr Al-Khafaji.
Funded by the Commonwealth department of Health, EnCOMPASS will service 30 sites across Australia until December 2022. EnCOMPASS will provide guides and tools to assist the future Care Finder program to deliver culturally-appropriate service in communities.
Selected partners are:
- Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra
- Australian Nursing Home Foundation
- Ethnic Community Services Cooperative
- Advance Diversity Services
- CASS Care
- Multicultural Care
- Western Sydney MRC
- Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association
- Islamic Women’s Association of Australia
- Co.As.It
- Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory
- Inala Community House
- World Wellness Group
- Australian Refugee Association
- Uniting SA
- Multicultural Communities’ Council of SA
- Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania
- Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre
- Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council
- Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre
- Chung Wah Association
- Umbrella Community Care
Further Information on EnCOMPASS partners can be found here: https://fecca.org.au/encompass.
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