Families in crisis

FAMILY IN CRISIS

• Immediate and unplanned change> results in them being unable to meet the immediate needs of members.> results in trauma.
• Causes: natural disaster, death of family member,, retrenchment, family breakdown, domestic violence, alcohol, drug or gambling problems.
• Temporary or permanent. EG a person could have a seizure and be diagnosed with a brain tumour. Following successful surgery and rehabilitation, a return to good health and employment is possible.

Three specific needs

• Access to Services
• Government Departments: Department of Housing and Centrelink. Department of Community Services can assist families where there has been domestic violence.
• NGO’s: family member that is diagnosed with a terminal illness may use Palliative Care and supports for the dependant and carer.

• Financial Support
• Government Disaster Recovery Payment: After Newcastle floods 2007, eligible families received funding from Centelink.
• Family and friends my assist financially.

 

• Security and Safety
• Need support and aid when in trauma
• Met by meeting the needs of housing and being informed. EG During a natural disaster families may rely on SES refuge centre in the community for shelter and resources.
• Counsellors, ministers and family members can help with this need.

Three factors affecting access to resources

• Socioeconomic Status
• High SES: private health insurance and use private hospitals instead of being on hospital waiting list. May move to “holiday house” or investment property if their primary dwelling is burned down or flooded. Ineligible for Government support of their assets are high.

• Education
• Find out about relevant government and community supports available to them

 

• Location
• Urban community: greater access to resources such as major hospitals, support groups, employment opportunities.
• Rural community: increased community support

 

Three Government Departments/NGO’s that members use

• Centelink

• Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

• Department of Housing
• has emergency housing, refuges and accommodation

 

• Department of Community Services
• can assist families where there has been domestic violence

 

RURAL

• live away from cities and large towns
• major industry supporting this population is Agriculture which can include crops and/or livestock.
• area of low population density

Three specific needs

• Health
• as a result of drought, downturn, floods and bank interests, many farmers have developed mental health problems including actue depression.
• The rate of rural suicides has increased over the years and there are programs in place run by Beyond Blue and other providers to help reduce this issue.
• Due to the distance from urban centres, many doctors are reluctant to relocate to rural areas and there are many rural communities who lack a doctor.
• Access to specialist medical personnel is very limited and generally, patients must travel large distances.
• There are documented health inequities of rural people. EG A chronically ill person in a rural setting may have a poorer prognosis as a result of the extra burden of travel.
• Additionally, allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, dieticians and phychologists may have a long waiting lists for clients.
• Diagnostic equipment such as CT scans and PET scans are unavailable in rural areas.
• In small towns, there may be no gyms available and few sporting facilities which can also help meet the health needs of the population.

• financial support
• increasingly needed by many who are affected by droughts, floods or bushfires.
• There are benefits and even grants available for farmers who wish to leave the land and retrain in other fields.
• Banks have supported rural families but interest rates and the inability to pay back these loans has led to family members having to work away from the property in order to assist with financial support.

 

• access to services
• need chilcare, transport, shopping centres, access to government departments and agencies EG Department of Primary Industries and Centrelink.
• The number of services available is linked to the size of the population.
• may feel frustrated with the lack of services available.
• the internet and improved transport and telecommunications have improved access to services for many people.
• services like banking, gyms and post offices may only be available in a larger town EG a person whose vehicle breaks down may have to wait extra days for car parts to arrive or the car may need towing over great distances to the closest repairer

 

Three factors affecting access to resources

• Location
• location reduces access to specialised services in health and education.
• some members of rural communities may travel significant distances to access government departments, recreational supports and childcare.

• Education
• have less choice in education.
• Metropolitan students- access to state schools, private schools or Catholic schools. However for rural people there is only a central school which educates students to yr 10. As a result, some rural families send their children to boarding schools for the senior years to increase their child’s educational opportunities.
• Boarding Allowance is available from Centrelink who need to live away from home to access education. This is available through Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme.
• Students may do OTEN (Open Training and Education Network) courses through distance education if distance prevents them from attending school. TAFE NSW is the provider for these courses.
• increased use of technology eg video conferencing and online courses increase the access or rural students to subjects that are unavailable at their school.
• students in rural communities usually need to leave home to obtain tertiary education.

 

• Socioeconomic status
• high SES- allow children to attend boarding schools and the family may be able to visit the city’s attractions and entertainment.
• low SES- more reliant on government welfare programs as they are means tested. Family members may need to be put on waiting lists for elective surgery rather than use private health insurance and private hospitals

Three Government Departments/NGO’s that members use

• Centrelink
• The Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme assists families with the extra costs associated with educating their children. If you have a primary or secondary student who cannot go to an appropriate state school because of geographical isolation, disability or special health need
• Remote Area Allowance, Drought assistance, Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payments- payments and services for drought-affected communities, farmers, small businesses, farm hands. Includes income support payments for farmers and small businesses, advice and training grants and assistance to exit farming, and direct assistance for farm hands and irrigators. These measures also help with social pressures facing families across rural and regional Australia.

• TAFE NSW
• students may do OTEN (Open Training and Education Network) courses through distance education if distance prevents them from attenfing school.

 

• Country Women’s Association

• aim of the CWA is to work to improve conditions for country women and children.
• improve conditions and welfare of all women and families especially in country areas.
• support schemes which enhance the value of country living, especially health and educational facilities

 

SOLE PARENTS

• a person who raises a child without a partner.
• reasons- death, separation/divorce, choice to parent alone.
• some sole parents are in the role due to their partner’s occupation EG members of the defence force, people who work in remote mining communities and on oil rigs, will leave their partner in a temporary sole parent status.
• other reasons include the partner having a mental or physical condition which prevents a role to be taken in parenting without endangering the child or if the partner has a jail sentence.

Three specific needs

• Financial support
• needed as there is only one income
• can come through Baby Bonus, Parenting payments and Family Tax Benefits.
• Childcare rebates decrease the cost of childcare.
• other supports can come through the Child Support Agency which can direct payments from a former partner’s wages to a custodial parent.
• Informal support from other family members may also be available.

• Health
• many sole parents are raising a child with a disability or an illness.
• A health care card issued by the Federal Government reduces health costs.
• Community groups such as Rotary and Lions Clubs may help a sole parent to modify the house for a disabled child or provide funding for specialised equipment.
• the emotional and physical toll of the relationship breakdown can lead to a negative health status of the sole parent.

 

• Employment
• find employment difficult to access if the supports of childcare and family/friends are not readily available.
• however in the long run, it is better to have an income from a paid job rather than be reliant on welfare. This is because of improved income and the opportunity to be a role model for the child.
• Government policy requires sole parents to undertake work once their child turns six years of age.
• Sole parents need a job with flexible working patterns.

Three factors affecting access to resources

• Socioeconmonic status
• high SES- may have home ownership, private health insurance and children who can still complete private school education.
• most sole parents struggle economically and as a result, there may be a need to move to a less desirable location and reduce participation in recreational activities as a result of lower income and usually reduce the informal support available to the sole parent.

• Age
• sole parent at young age-  EG a 15yr old who has a baby will rely on others to drive her to appointment and shopping. She would have less knowledge of community resources such as toy libraries and the location and purpose of relevant community supports such as an early Childhood Clinic. There are designated support groups in many areas for teenage parents who have concerns that require specialised support.

 

• Education
• use of the internet can increase their access to educational programs.
• access to childcare may impact on sole parent’s ability to participate in education
• Childcare rebate may reduce financial costs and schemes such as JET (Jobs, Education and Training) can be used by a sole parent to access work, study or searching for a job.

Three Government Departments/NGO’s that members use

• Centrelink and the Family Assistance Office
• Family Tax Benefit Part A: This is the most common payment to help you with the cost of raising children and is paid per child. It includes a supplement per child which is available after the end of the financial year.
• Family Tax Benefit Part B: Gives extra assistance to single parent families and to two–parent families with one main income. It includes a supplement per family which is available after the end of the financial year.
• Child Care Benefit: Helps with the cost of child care.
• Child Care Tax Rebate: Additional help for working families with the cost of child care.
• Baby Bonus: Helps with the cost of caring for a new baby.
• Maternity Immunisation Allowance: To encourage parents to immunise their children.

• National Council for Single mothers and their children
• committed to improving the social conditions for single and unmarried mothers. Ensure that children of single mothers (low income) have a fair start in life

 

• The Child Support Agency
• administers the government's Child Support Scheme to help support children by transferring money between households from former partner to custodial parent.

SOCIECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

• those that have difficulty participating in society due to insufficient income.
• they may be members of other groups EG a sole parent with a chronically ill child may not work and be reliant on a carer’s payment as a sole source of income.
• are often employed or in low paid jobs which can result from poor and interrupted education.
• use Government and community funded resources to meet their needs.
• although Australia has a welfare system that seeks to support the disadvantaged member of society, the amount that is paid will give the recipient “relative poverty” status. This means that the income will only meet basic needs.

 

Three specific needs

• Access to services
• require access to a variety of services that support them in meeting basic needs EG centrelink for financial support, public schools, hospitals and transport.
• seek assistance from the Department of Housing to access low cost housing. NGO’s- such as St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army can assist to purchase cheaper clothing and furniture.

• financial support
• Depends on what other groups the person is a member of. Sources could include- Family Tax Benefits, Disability Support pension, Sickness benefits, Income Support for Farmers, Youth Allowance or the Child Support Agency.
• often family and friends are in a similar economic position and are unable to support.
• In 08, Federal Government developed Economic Security Strategy Payment which assists low income individuals and families to meet their needs through a lump sum payment in the lead up to Christmas.

 

• Health
• health care card is issued By Federal Government to reduce health costs.
• may be long waits for access to public health services eg Dental
• often there are poor health practices such as the excessive use of alcohol, smoking or an over reliance on fatty, sugary foods which increases the chance of heart disease and cancer.
• due to low incomes, members may forgo prescription medications in order to have money available to meet the basic needs.

 

Three factors affecting access to resources

• Socioeconomic Status
• members are eligible for Youth Allowance, rental assistance, health care cards and PBS. There is also free literacy and numeracy courses.

 

• Education
• qualify for Youth Allowance which assists them to complete their studies.
• many private schools offer bursaries or scholarships to increase the educational opportunities.
• the need to secure additional income will lead to children leaving school at the earliest opportunity.

• Age
• A youth may not know about Youth Allowance and leave school to gain an income.
• An aged person may not know about Home and Community Care which could assist in completing Household tasks.
• Age may be a barrier to accessing various Government benefits.

 

Three Government Departments/NGO’s that members use

• Charity organisations eg Salvaton Army
• welfare organisation operate shops which offer low cost clothing household goods and furniture. Can also help a person to regain confidence

• Department of Housing
• provides access to low cost housing and accommodation.

 

• Economic Security Strategy payments (Federal)
• assist low income individuals and families to meet their needs through lump sum payment in the lead up to Christmas

GAY AND LESBIAN

• those who have same- sex attraction
• are physically, emotionally and sexually attracted to those of the same gender.
• increasing numbers of children being parented by gay couples due to assistaed reproductive technoligies.
• many experience discrimination in employment and accommodation despite the Anti Discrimination legislation.
• is a belief that approx 10% of population may be homosexual but statistics may not be accurate due to the reluctance of some people to openly identify their sexuality.

Three specific needs

• Health
• increased risk-taking sexual behaviours which may lead to sexually transmitted infections, blood-borne viruses or HIV/AIDS.
• individuals may resort to other risk taking behaviour to cope with their sexuality. There is substance and alcohol abuse used to relieve emotional pain or reduce inhibitions about their sexual feelings. They have a higher rate of drug taking than non- homosexuals. The suicide rate is 7 times higher amongst the gay and lesbian population which also tends to have higher rates of depression.
• there is increased likelihood of experiencing depression and other mental health issues.

• Sense of Identity
• this is affected by the position held in the family, at work and in the community. It may change as a person reveals their sexuality to others.
• many lack acceptance by family, friends, workmates or the church.
• may feel social isolation ie feeling lonely or cut off because they are different and are alienated by others.
• are more likely to move away from informal support networks they have grown up with in order to find acceptance in the social environment EG moving to the city to establish new informal support amongst a gay community
• Biased information in the media and traditional moral values in their culture may result in self rejection or internalised homophobia. Some members of this group may be confused and deny their own sexual orientation.
• people may need time to come to terms with who they atr as a sexual being so it is important that they are not pressured to reveal their identity or orientation.

 

• Access to Services
• include health, social support, travel and media.
• Helath- include ACON (Aids Council of NSW) which seeks to promote the health through messages of protective sexual behaviour.
• Media- Sydney Star Observer which informs gays about coming events and services and businesses that are gay friendly.
• Other- gay and lesbian choirs, sporting groups and car club.

 

Three factors affecting access to resources

• Gender
• to gain medical attention a homosexual may need to “out themselves” in order to gain sexual health advice.
• stereotypical gay males are visible in society and are more likely to experience prejudices and gay bashings than lesbian women.
• Gay identified young men (aged 18-24) are more likely to attempt suicide.
• Gay males are more likely to contract HIV/AIDS than heterosexual males due to their sexual methods.

• Socioeconomic Status
• may be affected if they are rejected by their family and in turn asked to leave their home.
• However of this is not the case, this group who have access to high levels of education, and employment may have a higher socio economic status as many are not financially responsible for children.
• those with greater financial support will be more likely to access a greater number of resources and service choices than lose in lower SES

 

• Disability
• sexual preference combined with a disability of an individual or group will affect the ability to access resources because there are few community services able to identify and acknowledge the variety of needs.
• The rainbow Support Group- provides support and affirmation to people with developmental disabilites who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. One of the first of its kind in the nation.
• Other- Deaf Gay and Lesbian Association NSW, Deaf Queer Resource Centre.
• Whisper4u.com is a gay and lesbian internet dating service for people with a physical disability

 

Three Government Departments/NGO’s that members use

• Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service NSW
• is a volunteer based organisation providing short term counselling, information and support services to facilitate healthy well adjusted lives within the lesbian, gay and related communities.
• Counselling. We provide accessible, confidential counselling services across NSW with options for client referral to other services.
• Support Groups. We facilitate groups that assist individuals in specific areas of concern.
• Information. We are a point of reference for individuals to access a wide variety of community groups.
• Training. We conduct training and development programmes for counsellors, members and staff to ensure the services we provide are of the highest standard.
• Education. We present information to the community at large and facilitate forums that lead to an increased understanding and acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

• Gay and Lesbian Health VIC

• provides news and information of particular interest to the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Victoria.

• Commonwealth legislation- Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Superannuation Funds) Act 2004
• provide that a member of a same sex couple can nominate their partner to receive their superannuation benefits when they die and that tax free status for superannuation benefits also extends to same sex couples. They cannot access the Partner Allowance, Bereavement Benefits and Widow Allowance which are available to an opposite-sex partner

 

 

Cultural Groups

-Culture refers to a way of life.
- A persons culture strongly affects aspects of their lifestyle.
-Exhibit difference in diet, dress, language and values.
- Can arise due to a persons ethic background d and spiritual beliefs.
- Cultural barriers may decrease integration with others not in the group due to language barriers and stereotypical expectations.
- Many experience misunderstanding and discrimination.
- Eg;s of cultural groups in Australia include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Greeks. Italians, Lebanese Muslims, Tongans and other pacific Islanders, the Jewish community, Asians and Sudanese.

Specific Needs
Financial Support
-This may be needed by those without independent means.
_some may need support to complete paperwork from Centerlink.
-Many in regular employment and can be self-reliant.
-Abstudy is a benefit paid by Centerlink that enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to stay at school after they turn 14 years old.

Security and safety.
-Some cultural groups, for example the Sudanese, have arrived in Australia with personal experiences in witnessing violence and death. As a result security and safety are needed in both the residential and community setting.
-Some cultural groups are fearful of others due to a history of aggressive behaviour and gang violence.
-Many adults from cultural groups may have experienced bullying and teasing resulting form making fun of their accent, appearance or even the food they brought to school for lunch.
-Security and safety is protected through Anti- Discrimination legislation.

Sense of Identity

A child who is adopted through Intercountry adoption may have difficulty meeting this need.
-They look different to the rest for their family members and still have to undergo a process known as naturalisation when they turn 18.
-Members of a cultural group are often prescribed gender roles which may enhance their sense of identity. EG: Greek men are brought up to be effective providers for their family.
-Jewish children are expected to be strong in academic and cultural areas and be effective members of the community.
-Some cultures have a strong sense of sporting pride EG: New Zealanders.

Factors affecting access to resources
Education
Some overseas students study at private colleges which assist them to learn English and enter university.
-Some young people continue learning their native language by studying a community language at Saturday school.
-A multicultural centre may offer employment and training programs.
-At many universities, there is support available through tutorial assistance for Indigenous students.

Ethnicity/ Culture

-This would be the major factor for this group
-Resources that group members may use include schools, nursing homes, community centres and perhaps hospitals operated by the particular group.
-Language barriers may also affect access to health resources.
-Centerlink has a variety of multilingual publications available in many different community languages and there is also multilingual call centre available.

Age
-Some cultural groups such as Aboriginals and Japanese usually give greater respect to the aged.
-aged members of this group may be able to enter nursing homes catering for their cultural backgrounds.
-For others old age brings deteriation of mental faculties and a return to their original language.
- This can hinder communication between family members and also affect the aged person who they no longer understand others.

 

Families in crisis

-Families in crisis face immediate and unplanned changes that results in them being unable to meet the immediate needs of members.
-Usually results from some type of trauma.
-Due to a natural disaster, death of a family member, a family breakdown, domestic violence or alcohol, drug or gambling problems.
-Can be temporary or permanent.
-The trauma that initiated the crisis will have a significant impact on the resources required by the family and the priority of their specific needs.

Specific Needs
Access to services
-Families in crisis require access to a variety of services.
-If house has burned down, emergency housing is a priority.
-Access to government departments like the department of Housing and Centerlink may be needed.
_if member is diagnosed with terminal illness, services may include palliative care and support groups for the patient and carer. Department of Community services can assist families where there has been domestic violence.

Financial Support
-This is needed by many who are in crisis.
-After the Newcastle floods in 2007, eligible families received funding from Centerlink.
-This is known as the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment.
-Often, family and friends will also assist financially.

Self Esteem
-This need can be impacted by a crisis
-An employed person may have decreased self esteem as a result of a motor vehicle accident which has left him dependent on others.
-Loss of employment can affect self esteem as the person may be unable ti contribute financially to the family.
-A well known person with a criminal conviction for negligent driving may feel that others no longer trust him.

Factors affecting access to resources

Education
-Families in crisis need to find out relevant government and community supports available to them.

Socioeconomic Status.
-SES has some effect on the wb of families in crisis.
-Person with high SES may have private health insurance and use hospitals instead of being on a hospital waiting list.-They may be able to move into the “holiday house” or invest property if their primary dwelling is burned down.
-May also be ineligible for Government support if their assets are high.
Location
-A family in crisis in an urban community has greater access to resources such as major hospitals, support groups, employment opportunities and support groups.
-n the rural community, there may be increased community support available.