Background

Page content: Overview | Objective of the strategy

Overview

The Culturally Equitable Gateways Strategy (CEGS) aims to expand and improve the use of mainstream HACC Program services by people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

In recognition of the underutilisation of HACC services by people from CALD backgrounds, the Victorian Minister for Aged Care allocated $2.068 million per annum of Victorian Government funds for the Culturally Equitable Gateways Strategy which comprises the following elements:

• Capacity-building in local government assessment and care management to provide a culturally-friendly gateway to HACC services and ensure appropriate linkage with ethno-specific agencies
• Capacity-building in large and established ethno-specific services to provide practical, hands-on support to local councils to offer culturally appropriate services and enhance service linkage
• Funding for flexible service responses by small and emerging ethnic services
• Leadership and sectoral development within and across ethno-specific, multicultural and local government sectors to improve service provision
• Bilingual/multicultural staff recruitment project in HACC.

The Department has convened a Working Group to oversee the implementation of the Strategy to ensure that projects are linked to statewide directions in workforce development, assessment practices, reporting requirements and quality frameworks, and to evaluate the outcomes. The Working Group is part of the leadership and sectoral development initiative.

In addition, the following projects are compatible with the Culturally Equitable Gateways Strategy.

• Scholarships for bilingual staff working in HACC funded agencies
• CALD communication strategy
• CALD research project investigating: What will Victoria's cultural diversity mean for aged community care over the next twenty years?

Recently the Hon Gavin Jennings, the Minister for Aged Care, announced an extension of funding for CEGS projects from 31 December 2006 to 30 June 2007.

Objective of the strategy

The objective of the Culturally Equitable Gateways Strategy (CEGS) is to achieve a greater representation of people aged 65+ from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds among those using core Home and Community Care (HACC) services primarily provided by Local Government. Services targeted are home care, personal care, delivered meals, in-home respite and home maintenance, and assessment and care management.

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