Services provided

Community Aged Care Packages (CACP)

A Community Aged Care Package is a planned and coordinated package designed to assist people who require management of services due to their complex care needs. The aim of the program is to maintain the independence of elderly people living in the community for as long as possible. The program is for elderly Polish speaking people and for elderly Eastern European people (in the Western, Northern and Eastern Regions). APCS also provides a CACP program in the City of Greater Geelong. Services provided include: Case Management; Personal Care; Domestic Assistance; Meal Preparation; Transport; Home and Garden Maintenance; Respite; Social Support and Companionship.

Community Visitors Scheme (CVS)

Polish-speaking volunteers visit isolated residents in aged-care facilities to offer companionship and friendship. This program also provides community education sessions about Polish culture to residential facilities for a small fee.

Planned Activity Group (PAG)

Centre-based support service and respite for the Polish speaking frail elderly and people with disabilities. Activities include outings, craft, entertainment and exercises. This program operates on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Castley Hall Community Centre, West Sunshine and on Fridays in Yarraville and Geelong.

Volunteer Coordination - Friendly Visiting Program

Polish-speaking volunteers are available to provide companionship to isolated elderly people or people with disabilities who are living in their own homes (Western and Northern suburbs). APCS also welcomes volunteers to assist in office activities.

Polish HACC Access Program

A state-wide program which aims to increase access to appropriate services by Polish older persons, younger people with a disability and carers. This is achieved through provision of information, advocacy, needs identification and service development.

Polish Older Persons Outreach Program

This service is provided by Polish-speaking missionary sisters. The main aim of the program is to reduce isolation within the Polish community in Victoria, improve links between the community and the Polish HACC target group, provide practical, emotional and spiritual support and thus reduce inappropriate admission to residential care.

Community Partnership Program (CPP)

The aim of this program is to identify and address specific barriers in accessing aged care services and develop partnership between the Polish community and aged care services. The program enables people of Polish background to make informed decisions about aged care choices.

Culturally Equitable Gateways Strategy (CEGS)

The CEG Strategy aims to improve access to and responsiveness of local government Home and Community Care (HACC) basic services to people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. APCS is participating in the strategy with other ethno-specific, multicultural and local government services.

English Language Classes

ESL Program offers Intermediate and Advanced Classes. Vacancies are filled very quickly so call in advance to make a booking. Classes currently operate in the Western and Eastern Metropolitan Regions.

Computer Classes

APCS has received a small grant from ACFE to conduct an introductory computer and internet course to members of the Polish community. The course will operate for 3 hours per week over four terms (a total of 40 weeks) and will be delivered in the Footscray area, close to public transport. The cost of the course is $120 per term (may be less for people with Health Care Cards in 2007).

Service Development

From time to time, APCS undertakes service development projects to determine the feasibility of a particular service model or initiative. Staff are also available to assist or participate in other relevant agencies' initiatives related to the needs and issues of the Polish community.

Research

On an ongoing basis, staff, students and independent consultants conduct research into the needs of the Polish community in Melbourne. Recent examples include:

• Our Secret Lives: collection of stories looks at the difficulties experienced by members of the Polish community
• Forever Young: collection of stories from Polish people in their 80s documenting the physical, social and mental activities, nutritional habits and daily routines
• Polish Migrants' stories: settlement experiences of the first wave of Polish immigrants
• Zanim będzie za późno (Before it's too late): Domestic Violence in the Polish Community: An analytical approach to defining the nature and prevalence of domestic violence in the Polish community
• The understanding and prevalence of depression in the Polish community
• Polish Young People in Melbourne - collection of stories
• Lest We Forget: pre-migration life experiences of Polish post-war immigrants
• "They have come a long way": The settlement of the 1980s wave of Polish immigrants in Melbourne
• Polish 10 Year Aged Care Plan
• In the Queue: unemployment in the Polish community in Melbourne
• Forgotten Fragments: the significance of the Polish war experience.
• From House to Home: survey of Polish-background residents in aged-care facilities in Victoria
• Lonesome No More... A study into the Needs of Isolated Elderly Polish Women Who Arrived in Australia in the 1980's & 1990's".
• Uprooted Trees: Memories of Immigrant Polish Women

Information, Referral and Advocacy

Professional and experienced Polish-speaking staff are able to provide information, assistance with referrals and advocacy on a wide range of issues and available support services.

PolCare 'Brokerage' Service

Qualified and experienced bilingual staff are available to provide appropriate services to other agencies for a reasonable fee. Services may include direct service provision, assessment, case management and co-ordination, on a short-term and long-term basis.

Emergency Relief Program

In times of crisis, APCS can offer immediate and short-term, one-off emergency financial assistance to people of Polish backgrounds. Each person's situation is assessed individually according to set guidelines. Confidentiality is assured.

Who are the staff and volunteers?

APCS services are provided by approximately 60 staff who have experience and qualifications in community development, social work, human resource management, psychology and nursing. In addition, support is provided by over 100 friendly and committed Polish-speaking volunteers.