Supporting ATSI Within Your Community

[seep]

Q1-what are some skills we can use to ensure cultural competency?

1-have an understanding of, and honour, the histories, cultures, languages, traditions, child rearing practices
2-value children’s different capacities and abilities
3-respect differences in families’ home lives
4-recognise that diversity contributes to the richness of our society and provides a valid evidence base about ways of knowing
5-demonstrate an ongoing commitment to developing their own cultural competence in a two-way process with families and communities
6-promote greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being
7-teach, role-model and encourage cultural competence in children, recognising that this is crucial to ensuring children have a sense of strong cultural identity and belonging
8-engage in ongoing reflection relating to their cultural competence and how they build children’s cultural competence.
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Q2-identify any historical issue in relation to aboriginal/ Torres strait islander people and the land that the service is on, including at regional and state levels?

While cultural competence encompasses a wide spectrum of difference beyond race and ethnicity, those aspects are usually the first in our minds when we hear the term. As well, because we work with young children and families, we have a special responsibility to contribute to Australia’s reconciliation and equity agendas in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The Educators’ Guide to the EYLF (p.24) highlights our role in ‘closing the gap in current educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’. As educators, we contribute to improved learning outcomes for Indigenous children directly when our educational programs reflect children’s cultural ways of being and knowing and when we make particular efforts to build strong relationships with their families, so that children grow strong in culture and engage with learning. We also contribute to reconciliation and equity in a less direct sense when we ensure that all children are familiar with the rich and long history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
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Q3-what are some resources a service could incorporate into daily activities for cultural diversity?
1-Local libraries are a great source of information for multicultural resources.
2-Migrant Resource Centres can also be a valuable source of information.
3-Encourage staff to attend cultural community events and workshops when they become available.
4-Have a multicultural day at your centre and invite parents to bring artifacts, toys, games, clothes, pictures, etc relevant to their culture. Try offering foods from different cultures such as Kangaroo stew, Chinese noodles, pizza, sushi etc. Children could be encouraged to dress up or wear an item of clothing from their culture. Document the day by taking photos and use this as a talking point in your program.
5-Arrange an outing with the children to local cultural events or invite representatives from community cultural groups, such as singers and/or dancers, to your centre to do a performance. Encourage the children to get involved
6-Cultural representatives could also be invited to staff meetings to provide an information session for staff.
7-Form a relationship with another child care service provider with a specific multicultural or cultural population. Visits between your services may be possible and will encourage further understanding and awareness.
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Q4-Research 5 cultural support organizations that you may utilize your service from your local area?

1-Eastern Sydney Multicultural Access Project (ESMAP)
ESMAP provides community health, transport, food aid and bilingual caseworker services to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Local government areas covered are: Botany, Randwick, Sydney, South Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra.

2-Gymea Community Aid and Information Service
Gymea Community Aid and Information Service is a drop-in centre, referral agency and information service. Programs for the frail aged and people with disabilities and their carers, migrant settlement, cultural activities, English language classes, home care services, multicultural support groups. Main languages are Italian, Greek, Arabic and Chinese.

3-South East Neighbourhood Centre
The South East Neighbourhood Centre provides a range of services for people in the Botany, Randwick and Sydney Communities. Staff members at SENC speak a range of community languages and services include: child care; advocacy and advice; casework and counselling; classes and support groups; families and children programs; information and referrals; multicultural support; social support; respite care; and transport.

4-St George Migrant Resource Centre
St George Migrant Resource Centre is a community based, not for profit organisation based in Rockdale. The Centre provides a range of services to communities and families residing in the St George and Sutherland Shire, with a focus on recently arrived migrants, refugees, youth, families, older people, people with disabilities and their carers. Services include settlement assistance, information and referral, multicultural day care for older people, community aged care (help at home), carers support group, disability support services, domestic violence support and education program, women and men support groups, social outings and multilingual information hotline.

5-Sydney Multicultural Community Services
Sydney Multicultural Community Services is a non profit community service that supports people from non English speaking backgrounds. The Service provides eligible clients with casework, financial assistance, in home/hostel level aged care, frail aged day care, group facilities and activities, information, referrals and support.
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[seep]

plz help, thanks

[seep]

Hello Lorina can I have your openion on my these responses please? thanks

[seep]

Bump please help.

[Lorina]

identify any historical issue in relation to aboriginal/ Torres strait islander people and the land that the service is on, including at regional and state levels?

I think this question is referring to the land your centre is on... You need to find information on Aboriginal issues that may have happened in your area, suburb etc.

The rest of your responses are good!

,
Lorina