Family Support Services

The MIC has received funding from the Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to support refugee and migrant families. The aim of the programs are to:

• Improve family relationships
• Reduce intergenerational conflict
• Encourage positive communication between parents

Through the program we will provide:

• Individual support
• Family and child support programs
• Relationship support
• Mediation services
• Parent education

Please click the following link to download a Family Support brochure in your language:

English, Chinese, Chin, Dari, Arabic, Farsi, Dinka

If you would like to make a referral to the program please download and complete the form below. The completed form can be faxed to the MIC on 9285 4888 or email to Diana or Woody.

Migrant Information Centre:Family Relationships Referral

For more information or to make an appointment please contact:

Diana Campbell on 9285 4888 or email dcampbell@miceastmelb.com.au or

Woody Jurkovic on 285 4888 or email wjurkovvic@miceastmelb.com.au on Mondays and Fridays.

Service Responses to Family Violence in South Sudanese Communities

The issue of family violence in refugee communities is extremely complex and will require a comprehensive holistic approach to address it. Many people from refugee backgrounds have experienced repeated exposure to traumatic events prior to their arrival in Australia. In addition to this, the process of settlement and adjustment to a complex and unfamiliar technocratic society is often a baffling and stressful experience for families. This places huge demands on families who are also struggling with coming to terms with a different set of societal and cultural rules.

The Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) (MIC) has initiated a project to develop culturally appropriate responses to family violence issues within the Southern Sudanese community. The project, funded by the Australian Government through the Office of Women has adopted an Action Research Model to assist in identifying the issues impacting on family relationships and developing appropriate cultural responses to address these issues.

At the completion of the project, a Step-by-Step Guidelines Manual and DVD for Culturally Appropriate Service and Therapeutic Responses for the Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment of Family Violence for Families from Southern Sudanese Backgrounds will be developed and made available for utilisation by service providers throughout Australia.

The MIC project looks to address family violence issues at the preventative, early intervention and treatment stages, allowing the community to work together for the benefit of families within a new cultural and legal environment. A steering committee has been established with local health and community agencies, including local Police who will offer support, expertise and advice during the implementation of the project.
In addition, two critical reference groups - one for men and one for women - have been established to meet regularly, comprising of members of the Southern Sudanese community who wish to bring about change on this issue.

The project will deliver community education sessions for elders and other influential members of the South Sudanese community, to allow for better understanding of the impact of family violence on families, particularly women and children. Meetings of community elders will be held regularly through the project.

Throughout the consultation and education process, the MIC will also be piloting an interventionist and preventative model aimed at working with South Sudanese individuals and families affected by family violence. These interventions will use the information from the reference groups to help facilitate change at the direct service level. This response will focus primarily on providing therapeutic interventions for individuals and families and will also have a group work component.

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The project has been developed to include a whole of community response as members of the South Sudanese community work alongside mainstream service providers to bring about positive change within the community.

If you would like to refer a Sudanese family to the program or you require further information, please contact Jessica Bishop, Community Development Worker on telephone (03) 9285 4888 or Email jbishop@miceastmelb.com.au

In addition to the direct services provided under this program we can also provide you with information on a range of family support services in your local area including:

• Problem gambling services
• Parenting support services
• Domestic violence

The links below provide further information on family support services. Just click on the web page address that interests you. Where agencies do not have web pages we have provided contact addresses and telephone numbers.

ABCD Parenting Young Adolescents

This web sites provides free, helpful information to parents and workers abut parenting and adolescence. The site has information in English, Arabic, Spanish, Macedonian, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.abcdparenting.org

Anglicare Victoria - Strengthening Families Program
1A Elm Street,
BAYSWATER
(03) 9720 3488

Anglicare Parentzone - Eastern
16 Railway Place,
RINGWOOD
(03) 9876 8945
(03) 9735 4188 Lilydale
(03) 9729 0499 Knox
(03) 9890 6322 Box Hill

Eastern Access Community Health - Counselling and Family Support Team
75 Patterson St,
RINGWOOD
(03) 9879 3933

Immigrant Women's Domestic Violence Service
(03) 9898 3145