Multicultural Interests and Citizenship Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich today launched three projects that aim to support migrant and refugee families in the south-east metropolitan area. The combined launch was for two projects funded through the Community Relations Integrations Officer (CRIO) Grants Program, administered by the Office of Multicultural Interests, and one through Lotterywest.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Multicultural Interests and Citizenship Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich today launched three projects that aim to support migrant and refugee families in the south-east metropolitan area.
The combined launch was for two projects funded through the Community Relations Integrations Officer ( CRIO ) Grants Program, administered by the Office of Multicultural Interests, and one through Lotterywest.
The CRIO Program has been developed by the State Government, with funding assistance from the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship, to raise awareness of and facilitate access to services and programs for members of new and emerging communities.
The two CRIO projects launched today are The Gowrie and the Gosnells Women�s Health Service.
�I strongly support the CRIO projects as they are a practical community based strategy that aims to educate people about what local community services are available for them to offer support and assistance,� the Minister said.
�Newly arrived refugees and migrants are often unaware of the range of services and programs available to them.
�They also face barriers such as language, transport and the cultural appropriateness of services and information provision in gaining access to those services.�
Ms Ravlich said settlement was a highly complex process and its success was the responsibility of both the individual concerned and the community as a whole, particularly in its ability to support the integration of immigrants into Australian society.
�Community based projects such as these are vital in developing relationships between new and emerging communities and service providers so that members of these communities can better access services and programs,� she said.
�It also helps them build their capacity to identify and find solutions to their needs, which they know better than anybody else. �
The Gowrie�s CRIO project aims to establish networks and identify issues and service gaps for young people aged 12 to 17 from new and emerging communities.
The Gosnells Women�s Health Service CRIO project aims to provide support for refugee women and their children settling in the south east metropolitan corridor to access post and prenatal services available in the area, with a focus on parenting, pregnancy, childbirth and emotional health and wellbeing.
The Gowrie�s innovative Multicultural Supported Playgroups project, funded by Lotterywest, is also being launched to assist migrant and newly arrived refugee families with young children in the south-east corridor.
The project aims to develop and strengthen parents� knowledge and understandings of young children's development and to facilitate their access to local community services and facilities. Weekly �family play and learning sessions� are provided at the creche facility at Gosnells Community Lotteries House.
�It�s very encouraging to see community agencies with shared visions working together address to issues and implement programs that have the potential to make such a difference,� the Minister said.
Minister's office - 9213 6800
as posted on media-newswire
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