Page 2280 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2022
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To enhance accessibility, the Community Services Directorate employs targeted communication efforts to promote grants to specific cohorts—for example, the fortnightly multicultural e-newsletter, established community partnered databases and networks, including ministerial advisory councils. The directorate also supports grants teams in other directorates by promoting their grant programs in the same way.
I am also pleased to share that Arts ACT has undertaken a range of improvements over recent years, including the introduction of SmartyGrants as a simple and easy-to-use platform for applicants. Arts ACT is also available to discuss applications with applicants either in person or via phone or Webex. And, like the Community Services Directorate, it facilitates a public information session for the opening of each funding round for community members to seek information and ask questions and to assist applicants with their application.
To ensure that all ACT small businesses could access the CMTEDD business support grants and Small Business Hardship Scheme, CMTEDD translated information about these grants and promoted them widely. In addition, their Adult Community Education Grants Program refers people to a phone number for translating and interpreting services and runs information sessions to support grant applicants to submit quality applications.
Part 3(d) of the resolution focuses on support that is available to increase civic participation. Many ACT government directorates have committed to increasing the civic participation of multicultural communities by translating information about their programs into other languages and through other approaches. For example, EPSDD identifies the needs and interests of culturally and linguistically diverse residents in new estates in the ACT through their Mingle program.
TCCS assists people to complete applications for their ACT Road Safety Grants and works with the Office for Multicultural Affairs to reach and engage with multicultural stakeholders. Major Projects Canberra has created new diversity and inclusion procurement guidelines to attract, recruit and retain people from culturally diverse backgrounds and target under-represented groups, such as recently arrived migrants and people on temporary visas. Twelve per cent of people on the YourSay Panel identify as being from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and speak a language other than English at home. Through this panel, participants can regularly share their views on community issues.
Part 3(e) of the resolution seeks information about the uptake of English classes and conversation groups and provision of auxiliary childcare. This was an amendment that had been moved by Mrs Jones, which was supported. The Commonwealth government has overarching responsibility for providing English language classes to newly arrived migrants in Australia. Through the Department of Home Affairs, it funds the Adult Migrant English Program. This is a free service, helping eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants to improve their English language skills and settle into Australia. It is delivered by Navitas in the ACT. The program also offers digital skills training and serves as a pathway to careers and further education. Free childcare is provided.
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