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A program to support WA community service organisations to tailor their services to appropriately address the needs of Western Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds and put cultural responsiveness at the forefront of their practice is now available with the support of the WA Government.
Officially launched by Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services Inc on Monday 20 July 2026, the Building Responsive, Inclusive, Diverse Governance and Engagement (BRIDGE) program has been funded through the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI).
The BRIDGE program responds to a growing demand from the not-for-profit sector by offering practical ways to engage with CaLD communities in the context of aged care, health, social services, and housing.
Assessment, bespoke training and policy development opportunities are available for participants, with the program aiming to boost the capability of community service organisations to integrate culturally responsive practices into their long-term approach.
Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services Inc, in partnership with Curtin University, will work to identify and directly engage with sector leaders to instil these principles in their organisations.
Combining real-world experience with evidence-based research, the program uses Curtin University’s Multicultural Readiness Instrument tool to enhance its offering and will be tailored to each organisation’s needs.
The initiative also reflects the evolving needs of CaLD communities in the State, with around a third of Western Australians born overseas according to the latest Census.