annual report 2010 –2011 - Multicultural Development Association

What is settlement?
New beginnings
“Settlement is about starting over. It is about feeling safe again. Making a new
home and friends and finding out how you can contribute and be happy.
Settlement is about not forgetting who you are, but also learning to be Australian.”
MDA Client
Through its Refugee Settlement Program, MDA caseworkers assist clients in achieving life
skills competency. Examples of day-to-day skills that a case worker might assist a newly
arrived refugee client with are:
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understanding dates, time and currency
catching public transport independently
MDA’s settlement goals
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restoration of independence through meeting basic needs and building settlement life skills
equitable access to resources and services needed to establish life in a new country
cultural orientation to enable acculturation and integration
development of new social connections and inclusion in the local community
restoring a sense of hope and dignity through progress towards settlement aspirations
MDA Clients 2010 – 2011
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using a mobile phone
knowing who to contact in an emergency
booking an appointment with a doctor
purchasing medicine
keeping important documents and cards safely
ensuring household safety
recognising important letters
locking the house and options if locked out of house
Cultural Identity Clients %
Burmese (Myanmar) 784 18.99
Afghan 552 13.37
Burundian 309 7.48
Somalian 252 6.1
Iraqi 251 6.08
Sri Lankan 225 5.45
Congolese 200 4.84
Sudanese 189 4.58
Liberian 164 3.97
Eritrean 158 3.83
Bhutan 126 3.05
Iranian 100 2.42
Ethiopian 62 1.5
Sierra Leonean 60 1.45
Rwandan 41 0.99
Other minority groups* 798 19.5
Total 4129 100%
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using everyday greetings
requesting an interpreter for government agencies
2010 – 2011 highlights
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513 individuals and families provided with settlement assistance
settled new ethnic groups including Bhutanese and Kunama from Eritrea
finalised the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) contract
phased-in the new Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) contract
established a Settlement Orientation Program
established new HSS programs in Toowoomba and Rockhampton
formed panel of social housing providers comprising Bric Housing, Jacaranda and Mangrove
enhanced assessment of mental health risk factors through Mental Health First Aid training
of 11 caseworkers
delivered two dental fairs through continuing partnership with Tzu Chi Foundation
*Including Indian, Chinese, Pakistani, Zimbabwean, Nepalese, Laotian, Philippino.
8 MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL REPORT | 2010 – 2011 MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL REPORT | 2010 – 2011
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