NAVIGATION

NAVIGATION

HOME | CONTACT | ABOUT US | GATHERS | RESOURCES

JCCV | UPDATING | General Community on COVID-19 Response | Tuesday 11 August 2020

[Edited extract from public address]

Top Line Updates:

  1. Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
  2. Official Work or Childcare Permits
  3. A new Call-to-Test service, providing in-home coronavirus testing to Victorians who would otherwise be unable to get tested.
  4. The Victorian Government has clarified access to childcare arrangements.
  5. Free kinder for families through Term 3.
  6. Fast tracked mental health support for Victorians in need
  7. Escaping harm - even during curfew hours is OK

1. Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

For those who have exhausted their sick leave in Victoria is available from today.
To apply, simply call 180 22 66.

2. Official Work or Childcare Permits

If you have a Permitted Worker Permit or a Childcare Permit, you can keep a digital copy and display it on your phone.

3. A new Call-to-Test service

Now available is the new Call-to-Test service, providing in-home coronavirus testing to Victorians who would otherwise be unable to get tested.

This includes older Victorians, Victorians with a disability, carers and those with an illness that might prevent them from leaving home. For eligible callers located in Melbourne, testers will visit within 48 hours.

To find out more about this service, call the DHHS Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

4. The Victorian Government has clarified access to childcare arrangements

From the Department of Health and Human Services website:
From Thursday 6 August, only the children of permitted workers and vulnerable kids will be able to access childcare and kinder.

For the purposes of childcare and kinder, a permitted worker can also include someone working from home. This does not apply to every worker working from home - only those working in permitted industries.

This section provides information to parents and guardians on how they can seek a permit to access childcare. Early childhood providers should use these permits to enable access to care.

Permitted workers, are able to access onsite childcare and kinder if there is no one else in their household who is able to supervise children. For example, a permitted worker in a single parent household may access childcare and kinder.

If there is another carer in the household, permitted workers can still access onsite childcare if the other parent/carer cannot supervise children. This could be for a number of reasons - for example, if their partner or co-parent:
  • has a medical condition, or chronic illness which prevents them from caring for the child
  • has a disability
  • is completing full time study and must attend onsite
  • works from home, but in a role that means they cannot supervise the children - resulting in the permitted worker not being able to do their job
Both carers do not have to be permitted workers to access childcare - but we are asking that Victorians only access childcare and kinder services if they have to.

In line with the above, permitted workers are also able to continue with pre-existing in-home care arrangements if there is no one else in their household who is able to supervise their child.

Grandparents and elderly relatives play an important part in caring for children, but may be particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. We strongly advise these types of care arrangements are avoided where possible.

We know that living with coronavirus is challenging for lots of families, but as Victorians understand we must do everything we can to keep families together – by staying at home and slowing the spread of the virus.

To read more, visit the DHHS website.

Remember: permitted workers can only be issued permits, including those supportive of childcare arrangements, only for the times they are required to work in a permitted capacity. This is not a license to issue permits to support full time childcare if the individual employee is not in full time employment. All work that can be done from home must continue to be done from home.

Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements.

5. Free kinder for families in Term 3

Under Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne, permitted workers are able to access childcare and kinder if there is no one else in their household who is able to supervise their child.

This may be for a range of reasons; including, the other parent could be a full-time student and must attend onsite, has a disability, or be working from home such that they cannot supervise the child, or there may be no other adults in the household.

All kinder in Victoria will be free for Term 3, and children will be supported to learn from home thanks to a relief package to support early childhood services through the pandemic from the Victorian Government.

Minister for Education James Merlino announced an extension to the free sessional kinder support and a further $1.6 million in grants, which will be available via the Australian-first School Readiness Funding program for kindergartens to help deliver early childhood education to children learning at home.

Read 9/8 address from Minister for Education James Merlino

6. Fast tracked mental health support for Victorian's in need

Victoria’s mental health system will receive nearly $60 million in an additional boost to get more Victorians support when they need it – now and after the pandemic is over as its effects are still being felt.

The $59.7 million in new funding will strengthen the surge capacity of clinical and community mental health services across Victoria to cope with additional presentations and reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments – ensuring Victorians can get the care they need, even as demand for services spikes.

Read 9/8 address from Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley

7. Escaping harm - even during curfew hours is OK

Community leaders dealing with matters of family and domestic violence need to be aware that those escaping harm can do so even during the curfew hours of 8pm-5am.

Anyone can leave their home at anytime to escape family or domestic violence. 

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre is Victoria’s statewide first response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence.
If someone is in immediate danger call 000.

MORE:

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV)
Address: Beth Weizmann Community Centre, 306 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South, VIC 3162, Australia
Tel: 03 9272 5566

Labels: , , , ,