learnings from the karen partnership project

produced by siri gunawardana | november 2013 | MGHP

a case study

purpose of the case study

the model

MGHP partnership model draws on community development principles, which encourage community empowerment and the development of trust and relationships between two or three partners.

The steps in developing the partnership are as follows:

1. The process begins with a needs analysis using all accessible data, which includes defining a catchment area, identifying culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD) at risk and ensuring that no previous problem gambling interventions have been undertaken. A potential target community is then selected.

2. A service mapping exercise is conducted, identifying all relevant agencies used by the target community. A snowballing methodology is recommended as many community organisations are not available through public listings.

3. Key organisations are invited to become a partner. An appropriate organisation has direct relationships with the target community, has capacity to commit to the project and is interested in addressing problem gambling in the community. A diverse range of organisations have worked on these partnership projects including ethno-specific welfare services, community groups and religious organisations.

4. A partnership is formed between the target community organisation, MGHP and key service providers through a signed Memorandum of Understanding. These organisations form the executive group to oversee the project.

5. To ensure full participation, a grant is provided to the target community organisation to cover the costs associated with dedicated staff hours for participation in project activities.

6. A broader advisory group of key community

stakeholders is also formed. Then through a dynamic and evolving process, advisory group members contribute their expertise to plan, implement and evaluate a range of tailored and culturally appropriate strategies to address presenting issues.

The application of this model has been successful in reducing the risk of problem gambling in a number of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

the karen partnership projectThe project began after concern voiced by settlement workers and members of a Karen women’s group that community members were at risk of developing gambling problems. The partnership was strengthened by the diverse skills and resources of the partners and their willingness to share their expertise and resources.The project started small and escalated as over a number of years as the awareness and capacity of the community grew. The first year of the project focused on community education and raising awareness. The second year of the project focused on developing and disseminating a Karen problem gambling DVD, and reaching disengaged men. A new project worker and advisory group were recruited for each year of the year of the project.

factors contributing to the partnership’s successallowing time for the process

Community organisations need to be approached well in advance of starting a project. Rapport and trust between service providers and community members must be built over time. For example, some communities are not comfortable in discussing stigmatised issues, such as gambling, at the beginning of a relationship and it can take a number of meetings before substantive project planning can begin.

To conduct a skills assessment of advisory group members can help identify the levels of support needed

This case study is designed to share the key learnings of working in partnership with a culturally and linguistically diverse community. It draws specifically on the experiences of a partnership with the Karen community located in the Wyndham municipality of Melbourne, Australia to reduce the risk of gambling related harm. This partnership was between the Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Health (Multicultural Gambler’s Help Program - MGHP), Gambler’s Help Western, Health West Partnership and New Hope Foundation, with funding from Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. It was successful in developing a community specific problem gambling response and raising awareness about problem gambling to more than 1,000 community members.For further details about the project see the evaluation report Learning about Partnership and Engaging a CALD Community from the Karen Project (CEH 2013). Health West Partnership has also produced Working Effectively with the Karen Community: a Service Provider Resource.

for them to participate fully. In the Karen partnership some advisory group members did not have an understanding of what is expected from an advisory group and so the lead agency developed plain English documents and the role of the advisory group was regularly clarified.

being flexibleTo adopt a participatory approach involves shared decision making over the life of the project with the community. The Karen partnership project developed a community specific problem gambling DVD. Service providers normally would screen it as part of a community education session. However, as soon as the DVD was produced, the advisory group began screening the DVD at their community and religious meetings. The project partners needed to adapt their practice to be inclusive of this approach.

Memorandum of UnderstandingMGHP formalised partnerships through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which clarifies the roles of each partner agency and the decision making processes. The MOU assists to acknowledge the work of each partner and commit to on-going representation to the project.

financial support to CALD community agencyMany CALD community organisations and groups are poorly resourced and often run by volunteers. Providing financial support to the community agency can help sustain their participation. In the Karen partnership project funds were provided to allow for a dedicated Karen project worker.

For further information on working partnership with CALD communities contact CEH on (03) 9418 9929 or visit our website www.ceh.org.au

the advisory group

the karen community cup

a karen story DVD launch

The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH) is a unique agency that provides specialist information, training and support on cultural diversity and wellbeing.