Introduction

The Cancer Institute NSW is Australia’s first state-wide government-supported cancer control agency. Our vision is to lessen the impact of cancer in NSW and we are focused on taking a collaborative approach to improving outcomes in cancer diagnosis, treatment, care and ultimately, survival.

Currently, the Cancer Institute NSW is working on delivering the NSW Cancer Plan 2011-2015, the NSW Government strategy that sets the platform for programs and campaigns aimed at lessening the impact of cancer across NSW over the next five years. The NSW Cancer Plan 2011-2015 can be downloaded from the Cancer Institute NSW website:

The goals of the NSW Cancer Plan 2011-2015 are to:

  1. Reduce the incidence of cancer
  2. Improve the survival of people with cancer
  3. Improve the quality of life of people with cancer and their carers

One of the key cross-cutting issues of the NSW Cancer Plan 2011-2015, is an increased focus on improving cancer outcomes for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

The Cancer Institute NSW is seeking Expressions of Interest from both public sector providers and community organisations with experience in delivering health related interventions to CALD communities within NSW to develop innovative initiativeswhich aim to reduce the stigma associated with cancer in CALD communities.

Reasons for the Program

Members of CALD communities may strongly associate cancer with certaindeath orvery poor quality of life. There can also be misconceptions about the causes of cancer and cultural taboos around discussing cancer openly. These factors can all contribute to a stigma being associated with cancer and a cancer diagnosis. In some circumstances, the stigma can extend beyond the person with cancer to other family members.

The stigma associated with cancer can present a barrier to people from culturally diverse backgroundsaccessing cancer prevention and screening programs or seeking help early when cancer symptoms manifest. Subsequent impacts can include delays in diagnosis and treatment, poorer prognosis and increased morbidity.

Stigma reduction interventions can increase the positive impact of public health programs such as cancer prevention, screening and treatment services.

The CSI Cross Divisional Grants program aims to support the identification, development and implementation of innovative initiatives that address misconceptions and myths about cancer in CALD communities and deliver cancer stigma reduction interventions in a culturally sensitive manner.

It is anticipated the CSI Cross Divisional Grants program will allow the application of locally developed innovative models/strategies to other settings where appropriate.

The milestones for the CSI Cross Divisional Grants program are as follows:

•27 February 2012 – Call for Expressions of Interest

•2 April 2012 – Close of applications

•18 April 2012 – Review of applications

•25 April 2012 – Notification of successful applicants.

Objectives

The main objectives for the CSI Cross Divisional Grants program are to:

•Emphasise the focus of the Cancer Institute NSWand the NSW Cancer Plan 2011-2015 on the role of cancer control;

•Improve cancer outcomes for CALD communities in NSW.

•Fund innovative initiatives that deliver cancer stigma reduction interventions to CALD communities in NSW;

•Build relationships and partnerships between multicultural health services, CALD communities and the Cancer Institute NSW.

Scope of the Project

The Expression of Interest will be used to identify organisations to undertake a project which aims to reduce the stigma associated with cancer in CALD communities. Projects may focus on a particular CALD community, a sub-group within a CALD communityor a numberof CALD communities within a specified geographic area.

The Expression of Interest provides the opportunity for organisations and/or collaborative partnerships to either:

•Enhance existing cancer stigma reduction projectstargeting CALD communities already underway or implemented.

•Incorporate a stigma reduction component into a current cancer prevention, screening or treatment intervention targeting CALD communities.

•Design and implement new cancer stigma reduction projects forCALD communities.

Examples of cancer stigma reduction initiatives can include (but are not limited to):

  • Education campaigns that address misinformation and myths about cancer within CALDcommunities.
  • Projects that promote understanding and empathy through having people with cancer or cancer survivors share their stories with their community.
  • Programs aimed at reducing fears associated with cancer screening, such as the fear of a negative result.

Funding

There is a total of $200,000 available to fund grants between $50,000 and $100,000 (plus GST). The funds must be spent for the primary purpose of achieving the objectives of the CSI Cross Divisional Grants program as outlined above.

All projects funded under the program will be required to report against quantitative key performance indicators developed by the applicants as part of the submission process.

Funding is available to public sector agencies and incorporated community-based organisations in NSW with demonstrated experience in working with people from CALD backgrounds on healthrelated programs and projects. Applications which include collaboration between the public multicultural health sector and the community sector are encouraged.

Expression of Interest Evaluation

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness and adherence to submission requirements. Successful applicants will be selected through a competitive process. The Cancer Institute NSW Grants Review Committee, comprising Cancer Institute NSW staff and an independent expert, will meet to evaluate submitted applications. Each EOI will be reviewed and scored according to the relevance of the proposed project to the objectives of the grants program, the feasibility of the project plan and the potential for the generalisation of project findings.

The CSI Grants Review Committee may call for additional information in order to reach a final outcome. Each Chief Executive and Project Leaddetailed in the Expression of Interest will be notified in writing of the evaluation outcome.

Submitting an Expression of Interest

Please use the Expression of Interest template (attached) to complete your application. In completing this template,delete the red instructional text and keep to the word limits for each section. Expressions of Interest should be no longer than four pages.Only information provided in the EOI will form the basis of the review process.

Completed proposals should be marked CONFIDENTIAL.

Applications must be received at the Cancer Institute NSW by 5pm, 2 April 2012. Faxed, emailed, incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.

Please post to:
Patricia Giannotto
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities Program Co-ordinator
Cancer Institute NSW
PO Box 41
Alexandria NSW 1435

Or deliver to:

Patricia Giannotto

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities Program Co-ordinator

Cancer Institute NSW

Level 9, 8 Central Avenue

Eveleigh NSW

If you would like further information about the grants program, reference material on stigma reduction programs or to discuss submitting an Expression of Interest, please contact:

Patricia Giannotto

T: 02 8374 5675 or 0415 726 731

E:

E12/03163 / CSI Cross Divisional Grants Program – CALD Communities EOI / Page 1 of 6

CSI CROSS-DIVISIONAL GRANTS

Expression of Interest TEMPLATE

CLOSING DATE: 2 April 2012

CULTURALLY AND LINQUISTICALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES
  1. Project Title

Maximum 20 words
  1. Project Lead

Insert details of the individual who will lead/manage the project.

Title / First Name
Last Name
Organisation / Position
Telephone / Fax
Email
Postal Address
  1. Project Description

Provide a brief description of the proposed project.

Maximum 150 words
  1. Project Plan

Provide a brief project plan that includes project aim/objectives, project methodology, project milestones (dates) and deliverables (products) of the project. Flow charts or diagrams can be attached if appropriate.

Maximum 500 words
  1. Sustainability

Explain how the project outcomes will be sustained after the funding period.

Maximum 200 words
  1. Project Budget

Provide a breakdown of how the grant funds will be spent.

Maximum 300 words
  1. Administering Organisation Overview

Provide a brief overview of the organisation who will administer this project, including organisational background, focus and current activities.

Maximum 200 words
  1. Previous experience in delivering health related programs and projects to culturally diverse communities

Provide details of the administering organisation’s past, current and future activities in relation to health issues and culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Maximum 200 words
  1. Project Team

Provide a list of those who will be working on the project and a brief overview of their qualifications and experience. Please copy and complete for each project team member. (If staff are yet to be recruited, please put “intend to recruit” next to name).

Name
Organisation
Role on project / Brief explanation of role on project
Qualifications / Experience / 2-3 sentences detailing relevant qualifications and experience
Name
Organisation
Role on project / Brief explanation of role on project
Qualifications / Experience / 2-3 sentences detailing relevant qualifications and experience
  1. Approval and Sign Off

This EOI requires signed evidence of support from the Manager or Director of the administering organisation as well as the Chief Executive in the case of a public health organisation or the Chairperson in the case of a community organisation.

Director/Project Manager

Name
Title
Signature / Date
Email
Postal Address

Chief Executive/Chairperson

Name
Title
Signature / Date