Attachment - Part 2

SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS

Tasmanian Council of Social Services (TasCOSS)

The Government has provided $100,000 to TasCOSS to help ensure Tasmanian community sector organisations (including frontline community sector staff) are joined-up and connected to continue to provide services and/or adapt business models to continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This coordinating role includes providing advice and resources to the community sector to adapt service delivery and support clients; and representing the sector by advising Government on the impacts and needs arising in the community as a result of the pandemic.

Volunteering Tasmania

$130,000 has been provided to Volunteering Tasmania to:

• rapidly recruit and deploy volunteers through the EVCREW;
• develop resources for volunteer organisations and volunteers regarding volunteering during COVID-19;
• work with local councils, including the Devonport City Council, Clarence City Council and Huon Valley Council, to co-design a community volunteer response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neighbourhood Houses

The Tasmanian Government recognises that Neighbourhood Houses provide essential voluntary community programs, and a need for this will continue during this time. Therefore, additional funding of $700,000 was allocated to the Neighbourhood House Network to support ongoing community development work during the pandemic response.

This means each of Tasmania’s 34 Neighbourhood Houses has received an additional $20,000 to support their community, and the peak body Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania received $20,000 in recognition of the work it is undertaking to support the network in adjusting to the COVID-19 business requirements and their participation in the emergency response and future recovery.

The additional funding is being used to add capacity to Neighbourhood Houses to meet the needs of their local communities, with a focus on connection, information resourcing, wellbeing and community resilience.

Men’s Sheds

Funding has been provided to assist the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association to communicate with members in relation to COVID-19, with particular focus on COVID Safe Workplaces.

As at 24 June 2020, 35 Men's Sheds are open and 22 remain closed with the majority planning to open over the next four to six weeks. A number are using this time to undertake renovations.

Returned servicemen’s leagues and ex-service organisations

The Supporting Our Veterans – COVID-19 Grants Program is providing up to $500,000 to eligible RSLs and ex-service organisations.

Ten applications were received under the reopened program, taking the total allocation under the Grants Program to $418,918 to 52 organisations (53 projects funded, with Devonport RSL Sub-Branch receiving two grants). At 31 July 2020, 41 grant agreements had been executed, with $326,790 paid.

Sport and Recreation COVID-19 Grants Program

Under the Sport and Recreation COVID-19 Grants Program Tranche 1, 29 applications were received, requesting a total of $4,382,333. Twenty-five grants totalling $1,915,218 were approved to support a total of 187 jobs, with four applications unsuccessful due to Jobkeeper covering employee costs. Deeds have been finalised with all recipients.

Tranche 2 of the Grants Program opened on 29 June 2020, providing funding of up to $3,000 to sport and active recreation clubs for the purchase of equipment or supplies necessary to ensure a safe return to play under the organisation’s COVID-19 safety or Return to Play plan.

As at 31 July 2020, 329 applications have been received, with funding of $272 891 allocated to 127 organisations. Funding documentation is being developed for these organisations, with the remaining applications received under the program to date being assessed.

Essential Technology Fund Grants Program

TasCOSS, on behalf of the Department of Communities Tasmania, has awarded 62 grants to eligible community sector organisations to support the purchase of IT infrastructure and connectivity. An additional $100,000 grant deed was paid on 3 July 2020.

Support for temporary visa holders

Temporary Visa Holders are being supported by the Government through the provision of emergency assistance grants; emergency relief services through partner organisations; assistance to return to their country of citizenship; and employer assistance payments.

Emergency relief

As at 26 July 2020, 4,084 grants have been paid to Temporary Visa Holders. As at 31 July 2020, a total of 1,318,900 was expended on grants to Temporary Visa Holders.

Funding of $500,000 has been split between non-government organisations CatholicCare Tasmania, Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania, Migrant Resource Centre North, St Vincent de Paul and Multicultural Council of Tasmania to provide emergency relief, assistance and information to temporary visa holders statewide.

Assistance to return to country of citizenship

Temporary Visa Holders facing hardship who wished to return to their country of citizenship are being provided with assistance.

A total of 135 applications (128 individuals, six couples and one family) for assistance were received. As at 31 July 2020:

• 23 applications have been finalised, with 26 people provided with assistance to return to their countries of citizenship;
• a further 11 applications have been assessed as eligible, pending availability of flights;
• 96 applications were withdrawn (where applicants have either funded their own travel, selected to remain in Tasmania, or were unable to be contacted); and
• five applications have been assessed as ineligible.

Skilled Employee Assistance Program

Employers of Temporary Visa Holders have access to the Temporary Visa Holder Skilled Employees Assistance Program. Under this program grants of $2,000 help skilled temporary visa holders maintain a connection with their employers during COVID-19. The focus is on employees with skills and experience that make them critical to the business continuing or resuming trade as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

Applications opened on 3 June 2020 and closed on 16 June 2020 for employees and 19 June 2020 for employers. The program supported 349 applicants.

Enabling access to information

The Council on the Ageing (COTA) continues to work with the Government’s Public Information Unit (PIU) to develop communications materials for older Tasmanians – including ensuring that critical information is provided in multiple formats such as by paper, over the phone, and radio. COTA has also been part of the development of a national hotline for older people.

The Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT) has launched a media campaign regarding COVID-19 aimed at young people called 'You(th) Got This.' Materials including posters and social media promotion is being distributed through networks including the Department of Education social media sites.