The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing on behalf of the national PICAC Alliance recently made a submission to the Federal Parliament Standing Committee on Community Affairs’ Inquiry into Transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Program to the Support at Home Program.
The principal recommendation for this submission was to maintain the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) as an option for providers who only deliver 1 or 2 service types – especially Social Support Groups (SSGs) delivered by small culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups and associations.
The submission highlighted the benefits of SSGs delivered by smaller culturally and linguistically diverse groups, particularly those from new and emerging communities, as they help to reduce social isolation, promote social inclusion and wellbeing and prevent premature entry into residential aged care.
This recommendation was made to ensure these groups can continue to provide these services with a fit for purpose funding model.
The submission highlights the risks involved in a complete transition to Support at Home, including a reduction in existing funding and cashflow in moving away from the block grant paid in advance model of CHSP.
This especially creates a risk for smaller ethno-specific organisations funded to deliver SSGs and threatens viability when coupled with the administrative and operation burden. If these programs disappear the cultural needs of individuals from CALD groups risk becoming ‘lost in the market’ and they will not be able to access culturally appropriate SSGs.
To read the full submission, head to our Research and Policy Submissions page.
