Community Connections Program
Support. Connect. Community.
MCCSA is proud to be the Multicultural Coordinating Partner for the Community Connections Program (CCP), funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Our role is to provide coordination, support, and connect South Australian new, emerging and established multicultural community organisations with funding opportunities (offered through the Communities Connection Program).
What is the Community Connections Program?
Community Connections Program (CCP) provides short-term support (up to 12 weeks) for people in South Australia who need help connecting with their community.
How does it work?
Local Program Partners provide tailored support to help participants:
- Engage with their community
- Access services
- Develop a sense of belonging
- Navigate unfamiliar systems
- Build social networks
Who can access the program?
The program is open to people living in South Australia who:
- Are 18 to 64 years old (18 to 49 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- Need support to improve independence or build connections
- Are not eligible for mainstream federal programs like NDIS or My Aged Care
CCP is particularly beneficial for:
- Newcomers to Australia, including temporary visa holders
- International students
- Skilled migrants
- Unpaid carers
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- People from new and emerging culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
- People experiencing financial hardship
- People living in disadvantaged areas
To learn more or join the program, visit the DHS Community Connections website.
Our Role as
Multicultural Coordinating Partner
While we don’t work directly with CCP clients, our role is crucial in supporting the CCP Partners who provide services to the community.
Our key responsibilities:
- Enhance cultural responsiveness of CCP Partners
- Support CCP Partners to improve service delivery to diverse communities
- Provide comprehensive, tailored trainings, relevant resources, and ongoing support
- Ensure the program is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the unique needs of CALD participants
Our Initiatives
To fulfill our role as the Multicultural Coordinating Partner, MCCSA has developed the following key initiatives:
- Community Grants
During the program’s early phases, MCCSA distributed grants to new, emerging, and established multicultural community organisations. These grants aimed to:- Address unmet needs in diverse communities
- Respond to emerging issues
- Build capacity of new and emerging communities
- Empower individuals to connect with their communities, social networks and services
- CulturalQ Intercultural Training and Consultancy
Our highly acclaimed training program helps participants:- Develop individual cultural intelligence and organisational cultural competency
- Gain valuable skills to navigate diverse environments
- Learn effective cross-cultural communication
- Contribute to a more inclusive society
- Networking Events
We regularly organise events for international students, skilled migrants, and community leaders. These events offer:- Opportunities to meet new people
- A platform for sharing experiences
- A mutual learning environment
- Strengthened bonds within diverse communities
Through these comprehensive initiatives, MCCSA continues to play a crucial role in fostering connection, understanding, and inclusion within South Australia’s multicultural landscape.
Questions about MCCSA’s role in CCP?
Need Support?
If you’re new to Australia and want to connect with your community, CCP might be right for you.
Learn more about the Community Connections Program on the DHS website.
Past Funding Recipients
MCCSA has helped new and emerging multicultural community (NEC) organisations – or established multicultural community organisations supporting NECs – to gain funding through the Community Connections Program.
If you have any questions regarding the program, call 8213 4606 or email [email protected]