Australia's peak multicultural organisation - the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Council of Australia - is inviting local community partners to become aged care "connectors" to assist multicultural communities in navigating and accessing aged care services and providers.
FECCA is funded by the Australian Government to recruit, train and support the connectors under a Commonwealth program called EnCOMPASS, which aims to help connect seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to aged care and other support services. FECCA will deliver the program at 30 sites around Australia including rural and remote regions, in line with the Australian Government's 2019 CALD Navigator election commitment.
FECCA Chief Executive Officer, Mohammad Al-Khafaji, said the program would assist older people and their families to access the services, understand what ageing support services are available, and to overcome some systemic barriers multicultural communities face in accessing aged care.
"FECCA, our local partners and their EnCOMPASS connectors will support these communities to build knowledge and understanding of Australia's health and aged care systems, and open conversations to build knowledge and understanding about ageing," Mr Al-Khafaji said.
"We are pleased to be working with the Government to develop this program."
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck said the Morrison Government was committed to making access to aged care services easier - particularly for older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
"We understand the difficulties senior Australians, their families and carers have faced as they make the transition to care," Minister Colbeck said. "This face-to-face support will ensure those seeking information will be able to tap into the knowledge of local experts."
FECCA is calling for Expressions of Interest from local organisations to deliver the EnCOMPASS program through to June 2023.
