Speaker 1:
The Refugee Education Support Program fills the capacity of school leadership, teachers, and support staff to better understand and support students and families from refugee backgrounds. The program is fully funded by the Victorian government and is free for all government, Catholic, and independent schools across Victoria. RESP is co-delivered by the Center for Multicultural Youth and Foundation House. The program is offered in two delivery modes, the flagship two-year program, and RESP Accelerate, a one-year option available in alternate years.
At the start of the program, schools are paired with dedicated staff from CMY and Foundation House. Each school forms an action team of five to 10 staff members who lead the work within their school community. Action teams attend a series of professional learning workshops delivered across schools within their region, creating opportunities to collaborate and share learnings. In the first year of RESP, schools are supported to review existing policies and practices, consult with students and families, and develop a clear action plan.
CMY and Foundation House then support action teams to implement that plan, often introducing meaningful changes to policy and practice to better support students and families. In the second year, schools design and deliver a six-month pilot project that reflects their community's needs. Schools partner with a local community agency to strengthen engagement and connection with students and families. At the end of the program, participating schools are invited to attend a showcase event and join the RESP Alumni Network for ongoing professional learning and support. To learn more about the refugee education support program and find out if RESP is right for your school, visit the website or contact the team for more information.
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