ACCESS AND SUPPORT PROGRAM
Linking people to services to help them stay at home
Due to their diversity, some older people, younger people with disability and their carers find it difficult to access services that can help them to remain living independently in the community. Our staff provide information about services that are available to meet their needs, how they can support them and how they can access them.
Diversity refers to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, those experiencing financial hardship, people with dementia and people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex.
Our experienced staff can also assist aged care, disability and health care service providers to better understand cultural and diversity factors that may impact on client’s service needs. Please call direct on 9275 6901 or contact us. Also see our cultural profiles on religious and cultural values and traditions that can influence community attitudes on ageing, disabilities and caring and our research and evaluation reports.
The aged care component of the program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health. Visit the Department of Health website (www.health.gov.au) for more information.
Although funding for the Access and Support Program has been provided by the Australian Government, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Australian Government.
The component of the program for younger people with disabilities is supported by the Victorian Government.
Clients
Service brochure available:
Service providers
Service brochure available:
For further information please contact us by phone on 03 9275 6901 or email accessandsupport@miceastmelb.com.au.
Aged Care Navigation Program (ACNP)
The Aged Care Navigation Program (ACNP) helps the vulnerable older people by providing one-on-one specialist and intensive support in their pathways to services. MIC focuses on assisting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It helps people to understand, apply for and engage with aged care services and other support in the community.
The ACNP at MIC is part of the network of the Care Finders. It is funded under the Care Finder Program by the Department of Health and Aged Care and commissioned by the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN).
Please click on the links below to access more information.
Service Brochure for Clients:
English
Arabic
Greek
Hungarian
Italian
Persian
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Tamil
Vietnamese
Service Brochure for Organisations:
For further information please contact us by phone on 03 9275 6906 or email carefinder@miceastmelb.com.au.
Volunteer Coordination Program for People with Disabilities
The Volunteer Coordination Program links a volunteer to younger people aged 7 years to 64 years with disabilities and/or their carers.
The purpose of the program is to assist individuals with a disability and their carers to:
- Participate in everyday activities
- Maintain or rebuild their confidence
- Improve their social connectedness and emotional wellbeing
- Stay active and healthy
Volunteers can help with:
- Offering companionship and social interaction – indoors/outdoors
- Accompanying client/carer to social activities – e.g. assisting in crafts, gardening, cooking, reading and/or homework
- Coaching clients living skills such as using public transport
- Providing remote support via telephone/videoconferencing/social media apps during COVID-19 restrictions
To become a volunteer please go to our Get Involved Page on this website or apply to become a MIC volunteer by clicking on the bar at the end of this page.
For more information about volunteer positions contact:
Yuli Liang on (03) 9285 4888 or Email mic.volunteering@miceastmelb.com.au
This program for younger people with disabilities is supported by the Victorian Government.
See flyer: Volunteering program
Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS)
The ACVVS involves volunteers visiting older people to provide friendship and companionship.
The Migrant Information Centre ACVVS program invites Home Care Package providers to refer clients:
• From a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse background
• At risk of or experiencing social isolation
• Living in the Eastern Metropolitan Region
• Receiving a Home Care Package
The MIC also invites referrals from Australian Government Subsidised Residential Aged Care service providers for a volunteer visitor to support residents sharing the same language.
Clients may be referred to the service if they:
• Reside in the Eastern Metropolitan Region
• Come from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background
• Are at risk of or experiencing social isolation
For more information on referral, please click here.
The Migrant Information Centre’s ACVVS volunteer visitors will:
• Be culturally and linguistically appropriate (but are not required to speak another language or be from a migrant background)
• Visit fortnightly or weekly
• Offer companionship and social interaction for at least one year
• Be interviewed, reference checked, and obtain a police check and Victorian Working With Children Check
• Continue to be supported by the MIC whilst they volunteer with the care recipient
Volunteer/resident activities may include:
• Having a chat
• Going for a walk
• Listening to music
• Watching TV or a movie
• Reading
• Board games or card games
For more information on volunteering, please click here.
Please contact MIC on (03) 9285 4888 or email mic.volunteering@miceastmelb.com.au
Funded by the Australian Government.