Publications & Resources

Foundation House develops publications and resources to enhance the understanding of the needs of people from refugee backgrounds among health and other professionals, government and the wider community. Recently produced publications encompass areas such as refugee health and wellbeing, school and education resources and curriculum material.

Foundation House also prepares policy documents and submissions to government inquiries or for wider distribution in policy areas which impact the well being and rights of our client group. Recent work includes submissions and policy papers on immigration detention policy, the federal government citizenship test and the education needs of young refugees.

Our resources and publications are available on this website for free download to ensure they are available to the widest possible audience. See below to view the list of publications available.

Please contact publications@foundationhouse.org.au if you have queries about our publications and resources.

Publications & Resources Available for download

Refugee Health

  • Making a Healthy Start in Australia (2001)
    A booklet designed to assist people to understand and access health care services in the early settlement period, available in various community languages.
    more
  • Promoting Refugee Health: A guide for doctors and other health care providers caring for people from refugee backgrounds (292pp; 2nd edition)
    A comprehensive guide to working with clients from refugee backgrounds.
    more
  • Caring for refugee patients in general practice: A desk–top guide (21pp; 3rd edition)
    A concise guide that provides important summary information for GP’s working with clients from refugee backgrounds.
    Australian Capital Territory guide  download 
    New South Wales guide
    		 download 
    Northern Territory guide  download
    Queensland guide  download
    South Australian guide
    		 download 
    Tasmanian guide download
    Victorian guide download
    Western Australian guide download
  • Rebuilding Shattered Lives (1998)
    Rebuilding Shattered Lives was developed to assist in the improvement of services to survivors of torture and trauma. The focus of the guide is on adults and the family.
    more
  • Towards a health strategy for refugees and asylum seekers in Victoria (2004)
    Report to the Victorian Department of Human Services to provide the basis for the development of a statewide health services strategy for refugees and asylum seekers.
    more
  • Sexual Violence and Refugee Women from West and Central Africa (2005)
    With increasing numbers of refugees coming from the countries of West and Central Africa, this Paper focuses on the experiences of refugee women, in particular the prevalence and impact of sexual violence. It provides information on women’s experiences of war and seeking refuge and the specific health concerns related to sexual violence. Through sensitive and appropriate interventions, GPs and other health professionals can contribute to their health and support them in the process of recovery.
    more
  • "Where is the Justice? Stories from behind closed doors" (2008) - a book by Rosa Vasseghi. "Where is the Justice?" powerfully tells the stories collected by Rosa over many years of the imprisonment, abuse and torture of many women.The book is available in hard copy only and is accompanied by an original CD of music and songs. Order form for Australia - click here; Order form for overseas purchasers (in US dollars) - click here                                                                                           

        

Schools & Education

  • For a complete list of schools resources, click here
  • A guide to working with young people who are refugees (1996 & 2000) Strategies for Providing Individual Counselling and Group Work. Includes the Kaleidoscope Program with 6 session structured group program for secondary school. Also available in hardcopy for $20 (inc. gst & postage). more
  • The Rainbow Program for Children in Refugee Families (2002)
    Seven session structured group program for primary aged children (age 9-12). Also available in hardcopy for $20 (inc. gst & postage).
    more
  • HealthWize - health literacy teaching resource for refugee and other ESL students (2004)
    Health literacy program for secondary school aged students from refugee and other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
    more
  • School's In for Refugees: Whole-School Guide to Refugee Readiness (Updated 2007)
    This guide aims to strengthen the capacity of school communities to promote a supportive school environment for students from refugee backgrounds and their families.
    more
  • Taking Action - Human Rights and Refugee Issues Teaching Resource (2005)
    Eleven lesson curriculum unit that aims to develop attitudes and behaviours that promote human rights.
    more
  • Klassroom Kaleidoscope A program to facilitate connectedness and well-being in the culturally diverse classroom (2007)
    Ten lesson unit adapted from the Kaleidoscope Program for the mainstream classroom of both refugee and non-refugee students
    more
  • Education & Refugee Students from Southern Sudan
    This profile provides information on the background and experiences of South Sudanese students. It aims to help schools understand their needs in order to provide a more supportive educational environment. It includes information on the conflict in Sudan and its impact on education, the refugee journey and issues that may affect learning and settlement.
    more
  • Talk's In. Families of refugee background and schools in dialogue 
    A resource to strengthen the capacity of school communities to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for families of refugee backgrounds.  The resource includes background information, practical suggestions and resources for workshops with school stafff and families.
    Talk's In (booklet) more 
    Workshop for Families (Powerpoint Presentation) more 
    Workshop for Staff (pdf) more  

Policy and Submissions

  • The Education Needs of Young Refugees in Victoria
    This document aims to support the development of a government policy position to improve existing levels of support for the well-being and educational achievement of students from refugee backgrounds. It was developed by the Refugee Education Partnership Project, a collaborative effort of both government and non-government organisations, co-ordinated by Foundation House.
    more
  • Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006.
    The Foundation House submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006 highlights in detail the grave concerns Foundation House holds in relation to the effects of the proposed bill on:
    • Honouring human rights obligations
    • Mental health impact of detention
    • Adverse effects on children & families

    more
  • Perspectives on Torture : the law, the effects, the debate
    This paper outlines key issues including:
    • international definitions of torture and 'cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment'
    • where and how torture is currently being used
    • the effects of torture on victims, their families and communities
    • international laws prohibiting torture
    • the debate about whether torture should be legalised in certain circumstances (such as dealing with terrorist suspects)

    more
  • FASSTT Joint Standing Committee on Migration Immigration Detention Enquiry Submission 
    The submission prepared for the Joint Standing Committee on Migration, Inquiry into Immigration Detention. This submission was prepared by VFST on behalf of the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma and submitted in August 2008.
              
        more

            

Annual Reports

  • The Foundation House 2008/09 Annual Report click here
  • The Foundation House 2007/08 Annual Report click here
  • The Foundation House 2007/08 Annual Report Direct Service Data click here
  • More Than Just Words: The 20th Anniversary of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture. In 2007 Foundation House marked its 20th Anniversary. This publication commemorates this milestone documenting the story and work of the organisation, though the eyes of members of the Foundation House community including clients, staff, patrons, members and supporters.
    more
  • The Foundation House 2006/07 Annual Report
    click here
  • The Foundation House 2005/06 Annual Report
    click here
  • The Foundation House 2004/05 Annual Report
    click here
 

Community Development

  • Coming together: Two cultures, one life
    Community Development with Sudanese Refugees: A Case Study
    Designed as a case study example of the application of community development principles and practices to refugee settlement programs, "Coming Together" tells the story of Foundation House's work in partnership with a Sudanese community group settling in the western suburbs of Melbourne. A useful resource which may guide the work of other service providers working with refugees.
    more

Family Strengthening

  • Raising Children in Australia - A resource kit for early childhood services working with parents from African Backgrounds (2007)
    The resource kit comprises a guide for early childhood services working with parents from African backgrounds; and a DVD for parents from African backgrounds with young children.
    more

Food and Nutrition


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