Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
Download 401.16 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) Report
- Case Management
Chief Executive Officer’s ReportIt gives me great pleasure to present my report to the Annual General Meeting for the year 2012–2013. The core service of MARSS is to provide settlement services, which is supplemented by Community Development projects, youth programs and social activities. Our goal is to ensure that all our clients are provided with efficient and effective services to meet all their settlement needs. We have continued to focus our energies on this goal and with our limited resources we have ensured high quality service delivery within our main program areas. Last financial year MARSS has seen a significant growth in client numbers. In 2012-2013 MARSS has provided services to about 4700 clients through casework, advocacy and referrals. Growth in numbers was due to an increase in new arrivals in the ACT and also an increase in secondary movements of clients. Due to MARSS’ ‘one stop shop’ model, we are able to provide a range of settlement services to our clients. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff that clients are comfortable at MARSS and receive most of the required services to settle in the ACT. Settlement Services These services focus on building self-reliance by assisting migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants clients in the ACT and surrounds to achieve sustainable settlement outcomes. This is achieved through the provision of flexible, client centred casework, appropriate community and mainstream public sector service referrals and information services. Our settlement programs include Humanitarian Settlement Services, Settlement Grants Program (funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship), and Migrant Settlement Services (funded by the ACT Government). Other Services Supplementing our settlement services are the Community Development Program, youth programs, social activities, employment, and education programs. All of these programs are outlinedd in the staff reports. Staff Development and Training MARSS aims to give staff and volunteers the maximum opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge through training sessions run internally and externally by consultants. This year we are particularly grateful to Australian International Education Academy for sponsoring the Diploma in Project Management to all our eligible staff. We are also very grateful to the funding bodies that have provided specialized training to our staff under certain projects we administer. In conclusion, I would like to show my appreciation for the continued support from: ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry ACT Education Department ACT Government ACT Health Department Community Services Directorate Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) Department of Immigration and Citizenship Economic Development Directorate – ACT Government Office of Multicultural Affairs Real Estate Institute of the ACT
My special thanks to the Chair, Raewyn Bastion and the Board of Management for their support throughout the year. My sincere thanks to the dedicated, professional and enthusiastic staff who are committed to providing high quality services to all MARSS clients. Finally, I would like to thank the volunteers without whose contribution and commitment we would not be able to deliver successful programs. 
Dewani Bakkum CEO Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the A.C.T. Inc. Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) ReportThe Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) program is Australia’s flagship program for delivering initial settlement support to humanitarian clients upon first arriving in Australia. The program is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). HSS provides intensive settlement support through a coordinated case management approach. HSS is based on a tailored service delivery model that will help humanitarian clients gain the skills and confidence needed to become independent and fully participating members of the community. Under the HSS program, MARSS assists humanitarian entrants who hold Refugee, Global Humanitarian, and Protection Visas. During the 2012-2013 financial year, DIAC referred 147 cases to MARSS. These cases involved 216 individuals referred (a mix of individual cases and families) from a variety of countries. MARSS has worked closely with these clients throughout the financial year to ensure settlement needs are met and a high level of service has been delivered. Case ManagementDuring the 2012-2013 financial year, HSS Case Workers have coordinated a range of elements to ensure our clients have the best possible transition into life in Canberra. These services begin right from the moment a client arrives into the Canberra community. Some of the key settlement services provided to HSS clients included airport reception and transit assistance, property induction, initial food provision, registering with Centrelink, registering with Medicare, setting up bank accounts, enrolment in education, and health appointment registration. During the 2012-2013 financial year, HSS Case Workers were very successful in ensuring these key components of the settlement journey were as seamless as possible.
Orientation As part of case management, clients also took part in an orientation program that ensures they understand key components that make up living in Australia. Orientation begins the minute someone arrives in Australia or is referred to MARSS. Clients are taught things as simple as which side of the road cars drive on and what to do at a pedestrian crossing, to more complicated things such as cultural practices and tenancy obligations. As part of this orientation, large group sessions are held every 6-8 weeks wherein guest speakers from a range of organisations give vital information to our clients. Topics covered include: tenancy rights and obligations, legal rights and responsibilities, rubbish and recycling, schooling, employment, and many more. Download 401.16 Kb. Share with your friends:
|
