Dịch Vụ Hỗ Trợ Cho các Gia Đình Việt Nam về vấn đề Khuyết Tật
Project Worker: Trieu Tran

The project is funded by the Department of Human Services to provide assistance to Vietnamese people with disabilities, their carers and their families. It aims to raise awareness about disability issues, promote access and equity in the Vietnamese community. The Project Worker only works two and a half days a week. Therefore, working partnership with other relevant organisations is critical way to provide best benefit for the target groups. The Project Worker has worked together with Local Council, Department of Health & Human Services, Monash Health, Alfred Health Carer Services, Springvale Learning and Activities Centre, Hepatitis Victoria, Aged Care Services Australia Group, Vision Australia, RDNS, Southern Health, Migrant and Refugee Centre, Asthma Foundation, Carers Victoria Human Services, Leadership Plus,  Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne), Australian Hearing, Springvale Neighbourhood House, local pharmacies and other disability service providers in order to enhance the quality of life for Vietnamese with a disability and their families. It is also planned to provide the cross-culture training for service providers in the South East Region. Most Vietnamese with a disability and their families has accessed services such as Speech pathologist, Respite, sport for all ability, school holiday and recreation programs. The Vietnamese Carer Group at SICMAA has been well established and has been provided with up-to-date information, referrals, friendship, social and emotional support for its members.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new national approach to providing individualised support and services for people with a disability, their families and carers to achieve their goals and aspirations. The first stages of the NDIS in Victoria began in the Barwon region on 1 July 2013. From 1 July 2016 the NDIS became available across other areas of Victoria. The NDIS has become available in our Southern Melbourne area from 1 September 2018.

SICMAA has been working with and Alfred Health Carer Services, Carers Victoria and VALID to deliver a series of information sessions throughout the year to prepare our carers for the new system.

SICMAA work with families and carers to make sure the support we give can be sustained. We consider the carer’s role when developing plans with participants including the support they provide, other responsibilities, and their own life plans. We also recognise some people with disability may want the support of family and carers to make informed decisions, and we value their views, knowledge and experience.

Apart from NDIS related activities, the following activities were carried out throughout the financial year of 2017-2018. Most of these activities were exclusively funded by the Department Human Services. However, a number of programs were in partnership with other organisations and service providers.

• A luncheon at Village Green Hotel in Mulgrave for Father’s Day for parents/carers on 6 September 2017
• A seminar on “Life’s short … so let’s talk” at SICMAA by Your Life Assist on 14 September 2017
• Information Session on “blood, organs and tissues donation” at SICMAA by Vietnamese Blood Donors Association on 13 October 2017
• Information Session on “Aged Care Services, Flu vaccine and Asthma storm” by O’Brien Pharmacy Springvale South at SICMAA on 10 November 2017
• A day recreational activity to Geelong and Eastern Beach Swimming Enclosure on 24 January 2018 for parents/carers and their children
• Vietnamese Happy Living Day – Carers, Families and the NDIS – Expo 2018 at Springvale Park Special Developmental School on Friday 25 May 2018
• A seminar on “Elder Abuse – Dignity and respect for seniors” at SICMAA by ECCV – Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria on 28 June 2018
• Continue to maintain 2-hour practical physical health workshop at 1 Osborne Ave Springvale for carers to provide them opportunity to enhance their health and wellbeing and to enhance their resilience