Disability ACT e-News (June 2014)
Introduction
Disability ACT E-News brings together information about recent events to keep you informed of current activities in the ACT.
Message from Disability ACT Executive Team
It's been a very busy period as we approach the commencement of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on 1 July 2014.
On 3 April 2014, the ACT Government announced its decision to gradually withdraw as a service provider for accommodation support over a three year period to June 2017 and for therapy services by December 2016. The Executive Team has been part of public forums and private meetings with families and guardians, as well as our regular meetings and on‑going talks with families and staff as we prepare for the NDIS.
The reason for this change is that Disability ACT (DACT) currently provides about 35 per cent of disability supported accommodation places. Under the NDIS, this would make Disability ACT the dominant provider which would be a disincentive to existing and future providers coming into the ACT market.
Having a dominant government provider would impede innovation and competition in the provision of disability supports and services. The NDIS is a market-based scheme and requires a diverse and competitive range of services that people with disability can access. If Disability ACT remains as a provider then new and existing service providers cannot expand and offer diversity and greater choice and control for people with disability.
Disability ACT carries with it additional costs of government processes and requirements that non-government providers are not required to meet. The ACT Government as a specialised disability service provider would be more expensive, less flexible and would diminish in size and scope, which would further reduce the capacity of the ACT Government to provide a competitive and viable service for people with disability.
Disability ACT Executive
We also wanted to let you know that Vanessa Sutton as Director, Disability ACT has taken a leave of absence. Richard Baumgart who some of you know will take responsibility for Disability Supported Accommodation and engaging with individual clients and their families for the next six months.
Leanne Power will return to Disability ACT as a Director on Monday 30 June 2014 for about six months. Her responsibilities will include engaging with the non-government providers, policy and planning. Some of you will know Leanne as she spent four years as the Director, Policy, Planning and Business Support in Disability ACT.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Update – Phasing
On 2 June 2014, the ACT Minister for Disability, Joy Burch MLA announced the detail of the phasing and transition process for the NDIS trial in the ACT.
The phasing per quarter marks the point when the NDIA send out access request forms and information packs to those people who may be eligible (as per the phasing schedule) once the access request form is completed and sent back to the NDIA they determine eligibility. If a person is eligible the NDIA then get in touch with them to book them in for a planning conversation, which is usually one of a few conversations. Further information about phasing is available at on the NDIS website http://www.ndis.gov.au/act
Outline of phasing plan
As it is not possible for every eligible participant to have their planning conversation on day one, and to ensure the Scheme is sustainable and equitable, a transition schedule for eligible people has been developed. Over two years, people with a disability will be able to access the NDIS according to either their date of birth, or for school‑age children, their academic year.
Children
Children will transition to the NDIS according to their academic year, or age if they are not yet at school.
· Young children are a priority, as early intervention is important.
o Children under 2 will transition between July and September 2014.
o 2 – 4 year olds who are not starting school in 2015 will transition between October and December 2014.
· School age children will transition during the 2015 school year to make it easier for parents.
o High school students (7-12) will transition between January and March 2015. Those in years 11 and 12 will go first.
o Children in primary school (K-6) will transition between April and September 2015. Transition will be from youngest to oldest.
· School leavers are going through a transition period in their lives, so we want to move them into the NDIS quickly.
o 2008 – 2013 school leavers who received a Post School Options package and who have high and complex needs will transition between July and September 2014.
o 2014 school leavers will transition between September and December 2014, as they finish up school.
Adults
Older Canberrans will have access to the NDIS first to ensure they do not miss the cut-off age of 65. Adults will then transition oldest to youngest.
· 64 year olds will be able to begin their transition between July and September 2014
· 63 year olds will transition to the NDIS between October and December 2014
· 60 – 62 year olds will transition to the NDIS between January and March 2015
· 59 year olds will transition to the NDIS between April and June 2015
· 56 – 58 year olds will transition to the NDIS between July and September 2015
· 49 – 55 year olds will transition to the NDIS between October and December 2015
· 40 – 48 year olds will transition to the NDIS between January and March 2016
· From April 2016, adults between the ages of 20 – 39 will be able to start their transition to the NDIS
Age groups have been structured to ensure the transition to the NDIS is sustainable and we can build on early learnings as the trial progresses.
Group Home Residents
The NDIA will provide for each group home or household to be assessed at the same time. The youngest person in the household will determine at what time the household is transitioned to the NDIS.
Disability ACT has commenced writing to each group home resident and family to let you know when your family member will transition to the NDIS. We have started with those individuals in households who will have their planning conversation with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) in the first quarter from July to September 2014. The NDIA has also written to this same group of people providing them with an information package and Access Request Form. We will then write to individuals and families in accordance with the phasing timetable.
Until an individual has an approved plan with the NDIA all your current support services will continue to be provided by your service provider. For most people services will continue as usual.
The NDIS Planning Timetable is below:
NDIS Planning Timetable
| Planning Date | Children | Adults | Group Home Residents (Age) |
| 2014 | |||
| Jul | Children under 2 year old 2008-13 school leavers with high and complex needs and a Post School Options package | 64 | 22 or younger |
| Aug Sep | |||
| Oct | 2-4 year olds not starting school in 2015 2014 school leavers | 63 | 23 – 25 |
| Nov | |||
| Dec | |||
| 2015 | |||
| Jan | High school students (7-12) starting with years 11 & 12 | 60-62 | 26 – 31 |
| Feb | |||
| Mar | |||
| Apr | Primary school students (K-6) | 59 | 32 – 33 |
| May | |||
| Jun | |||
| Jul | 56-58 | 34 - 36 | |
| Aug | |||
| Sep | |||
| Oct Nov | | 49-55 | 37 – 40 |
| Dec | | ||
| 2016 | |||
| Jan | | 40-48 | 40 |
| Feb | | ||
| Mar | | ||
| Apr | | 20-39 | 41 – 64 |
| May | | ||
| Jun | | ||
NDIS My Access Checker
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is responsible for overseeing the rollout of the NDIS.
Individuals who have a disability and meet the criteria can become participants in the NDIS. Participants (in the ACT participants are also called clients) may be contacted by the Agency (NDIA), however they are encouraging people to contact and register with them.
On their website is an online tool called the My Access Fact Checker, which can help people understand whether they may be able to access assistance from the NDIS during the ACT trial period. The process is anonymous.
The My Access Checker is at: www.ndis.gov.au/my-access-checker
For people who are eligible, the Agency will work with them to:
· discuss their goals and what supports they need;
· develop an individual plan that will help them achieve their goals;
· consider the supports needed to build up family and informal caring arrangements; and
· connect them to mainstream services and community supports.
NDIS Operational Guidelines
The NDIS Rules and NDIA Operational Guidelines are now on the national website, and guide the detailed operation of the scheme. The Rules are important for guiding how each person will experience the NDIS and the effective management of the Scheme, now and into the future. For more information go to Legislation, rules and government agreements
Taxi Subsidy Scheme
During the NDIS trial, the ACT Government will continue to fund the Taxi Subsidy Scheme. The Taxi Subsidy Scheme is for people with disability which provides financial assistance for travel to ACT residents who are not able to use public or community transport.
Provider Development and Preparation
In partnership with the Commonwealth, the ACT Government is committed to ensuring that ACT service providers are in the best possible position to transition to the NDIS and that service delivery in the new environment is maintained and enhanced. This includes supporting providers in their work to transition to the NDIS. The ACT Government also understands the need to grow the community sector's capacity and capability to respond to the increased demand for service and supports under the NDIS and the need for more flexible and individually tailored (person-centred) service options in the ACT in an environment where consumers will exercise choice and control over the supports they receive.
Governance and Financial Management Packages
Up to 40 packages of resources and assistance valued up to $20,000 are available to disability and other community service providers which have already undertaken work to assess their organisation's preparedness for the NDIS. As of 23 June 2014, 20 organisations have been approved for assistance valued up to $20,000 from the Governance and Financial Management Packages.
Business Investment Packages
The first ten Business Investment Packages will be allocated to providers needing tailored professional assistance to implement complex strategic change management related to governance, organisational structure, service design and/or establishment, workforce redevelopment and human resource management ahead of introduction of the NDIS. These packages provide professional assistance up to the value of $50 000. These resources can also be used to purchase IT and other business system infrastructure related to NDIS preparation and costs associated with professional body registration (for NDIS service types). There were 26 applications received by the closing date for Business Investment Packages. These have now been assessed for funding and applicants will be advised of the outcome in the week commencing 23 June 2014.
Impact of the NDIS on Volunteering and Philanthropic Investment
As part of the ACT's strategy to prepare, develop and strengthen the disability sector for the NDIS trial launch, the ACT Government has earmarked $100,000 of National Sector Development funding. This funding will be used to undertake an analysis of the financial and social contribution of philanthropy and volunteerism in the ACT disability sector, and prepare advice that organisations and the ACT NDIS Taskforce can implement to attract and grow philanthropic support under a national funding scheme in the ACT.
There is concern that the trial of the NDIS in the ACT will send a false signal to the wider community that the resources dedicated to disability services will increase to such an extent that individuals and organisations no longer need to contribute their time or money to support disability service providers. The ACT Government wishes to manage this risk and examine ways of maintaining and building important social and financial investment in the ACT. Urbis Young has been selected to commence work in the ACT on this issue from July 2014.
Funding for Community Based Disability Services
In preparation for the implementation of the NDIS and the way in which services are funded, Disability ACT is working with funded disability services to transition their funding arrangement over the next two years. Funded service providers will have their funding source change from ACT Government to individuals with disability who have phased into the NDIS. Individuals will choose which service they would like to support them in the future.
Some organisations that are peak bodies or provide systemic advocacy are out of scope of the NDIS and the ACT Government continues to support them through a funded arrangement.
Community organisations providing information, individual advocacy and community development and capacity building roles, you may hear them being referred to as Tier 2 services, received a 12-month letter of extension to their existing contract with the ACT Government. The ongoing role of information services in the ACT will be reviewed in 2014‑15.
If you or someone that you support receives disability support services from a community organisation and you don't know if or how the transition to the NDIS may impact you, please contact the service provider to discuss your circumstances.
Housing and Disability Symposium
The Community Services Directorate is hosting a series of events on the challenges and opportunities the NDIS will present to social and community housing providers, the housing industry and support organisations in the ACT, in responding to the needs and expectations of people with disability for appropriate and sustainable housing options. The first symposium, held on 28 May 2014, provided current and potential housing providers with an understanding of the NDIS and the implications and opportunities it affords people with disability and service providers.
The next symposium is planned for late July 2014. The focus will be alternative funding models to stimulate the supply of affordable and sustainable housing options for people with disability, including in the private rental market. Further information including how you can register to attend will be released in the coming weeks.
Save the Date - Meet the Providers – Saturday 26 July 2014
Disability ACT is sponsoring an Expo style event to be held on Saturday 26 July 2014. All organisations that are currently providing or are proposing to provide in home support and supported accommodation are invited to present information at the expo. A working group from the NDS Housing Sub-Group is working with DACT to organise this Expo.
Disability ACT is providing this opportunity for all current Disability ACT Clients to "Meet the Providers" who will be able to provide this support under the NDIS.
It is hoped that this EXPO will provide the invited attendees with reassurance that there is a wide selection of providers ready and willing to provide support under the NDIS.
There will be subsequent opportunities for supported accommodation providers to come together in an expo style to other potential service users from across the community.
The Expo is intended to provide information for people with disability and their families/ guardians that currently live in supported accommodation provided by Disability ACT. The ACT Government has announced that they will not continue to be a service provider of Disability Support Services under the NDIS. As such the people who are supported in their accommodation by Disability ACT, and their families and guardians will need to make decisions around who will provide this support in the future.
This invitation will also be extended to the families, friends and guardians of people supported by Disability ACT Supported Accommodation.
Details:
Date: Saturday 26 July 2014
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Location: Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning at 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling ACT.
Revised National Standards for Disability Services
The revised National Standards for Disability Services (National Standards) have been endorsed by ministers from all States and Territories. The ACT has adopted the revised National Standards and they are now the quality standards for services funded by Disability ACT. The revised National Standards is an important quality and safeguard measure as the ACT transitions to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
These Service Standards provide the minimum benchmark for quality in services and all people who utilise the supports from a disability service provider is able to seek information on the standards and how they are implemented in the service. Further information will be rolled out to the community on the revised National Standards in the second half of 2014.
Disability ACT is working in partnership with its funded disability service providers to implement the revised National Standards. The broad framework for organisations to demonstrate compliance with the National Standards will remain largely unchanged. Organisations will continue to provide an annual Self-Assessment against the National Standards and undergo external audits. A Self-Assessment tool and User Guide has been drafted to reflect the revised Standards.
Disability ACT has commenced information sessions for providers on the revised Standards. Feedback from providers will help shape the final reporting template and evidence organisations can use to demonstrate compliance against each standard. If you have been unable to attend the sessions you can send feedback via email to CSD_Disability_RelationshipManagement@act.gov.au until 30 June 2014.
Further information on the revised National Standards can be found on Disability ACT's website at http://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/disability_act
Nominations are now open for the National Disability Awards 2014
Last year the ACT featured three finalists: Sue Salthouse, Huy Nguyen, and Ann Proctor. Huy went onto win the Emerging Leaders in Disability Award and Anne received the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability.
The ACT is a remarkable community and it is always important to recognise outstanding achievements. The eight award categories are:
- Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability
- Emerging Leaders in Disability Award
- Improving Inclusive and Accessible Communities Award
- Improving Advocacy and Rights Promotion Award
- Improving Employment Opportunities Award
- Improving Personal and Community Support Award
- Improving Education Outcomes Award
- Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Award
For further information and nominations, go to: http://www.idpwd.com.au/awards/nominations/
Disability Confidence Canberra
Disability Confidence Canberra is an important new initiative which provides information and tools to many organisations, groups, businesses and employers who are doing work to be more inclusive and accessible for people who are ageing or have a disability.
Disability Confidence Canberra is a speaking and education program that involves members of the ACT Inclusion Council speaking to businesses, organisations and local community groups to equip them with information on disability, facts on disability employment, and practical tools to become disability confident. It will facilitate greater awareness in the business community in preparation for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and at the same time, enable greater integration and participation of people with disability in the community
Disability Confidence Canberra is a joint project with the ACT Inclusion Council, ACT Government, Nican, and Eric Martin and Associates. For more information about Disability Confidence Canberra or to book a speaker, contact Disability ACT on 6207 0178 or at info@blits.org.au.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Connect and Participate Expo
The Connect and Participate (CAP) Expo was held on Saturday 29th March at Kingston Markets. Over 6,000 Canberrans, of varying ages, abilities and interests attended. They were entertained by groups who were represented at the Expo, including choirs, dancers, performing artists, ancient arts fellowship, bands, storytellers and ukulele groups to name a few.
Over 90 stalls were at the Expo to 'show their wares', and entice people to join their groups. (see full list of participating groups)
The feedback was very positive, with stall holders and patrons commenting on the "great atmosphere"; some said they "highly recommend, because Canberra can be a really hard place to meet people"; "there was something for everyone"; others said there was so much information and welcoming groups that there's "no excuse to be lonely in Canberra".
While the event was for all Canberrans to enjoy and 'get connected' it was particularly pleasing to see so many people with disability attending. It was estimated that approximately 20% of Expo patrons had a disability, and as one in five Canberrans have a disability, we can conclude that it was a truly inclusive community event. The story below captures the spirit of the CAP Expo.
The large majority of people surveyed said they'd like the CAP Expo to become an annual event. As a result we'll be holding the next one on the last Saturday in March again – 28 March 2015. Put it in your diary!
Go to the Facebook page to see some photos of the Expo - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Connect-and-Participate-Expo-Canberra/571132856282090?id=571132856282090&sk=photos_stream
Everyone Everyday Disability Awareness program
There are more and more primary schools signing up for the Everyone Everyday Disability Awareness program. Megan Campbell and Maureen Howe continue to deliver Professional Development for participating schools, to ensure teachers have the understanding and confidence to implement the program successfully.
The Everyone Everyday Program is now officially available on line - http://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/disability_act/everyone-everyday-program
We are delighted to announce a pilot program for high schools and colleges will be trialled over the next two terms. Jim McGrath has joined the Community Development team at DACT to develop and implement the program in five schools. The high school program won't have explicit lesson plans, as the primary school resource does, it will adopt a peer-led learning approach called Forum Theatre. For more information about Forum Theatre as an education tool, go to this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9-vzRItL6Q
DISH Exhibitions
Lake Ginninderra College students, Friends of Jimmy Choir, BAC Arts Inclusion Officer and DACT's Community Development team have collaborated to hold an exhibition of student works at DISH. The opening will be held at 4:30 on Tuesday 29 July – all welcome. Patrons can view award winning photographs while enjoying a performance from the choir, many of whom have a disability.
Another exhibition will be opened on Friday 10 October at DISH, and will include works by 'Painting with Parkinsons'.
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