2 positions at Branch Out Cafe - Carers ACT

http://www.carersact.org.au/employment/current-vacancies

Café Coordinator
Temporary and part time at 15-20 hours per week
Help people with a disability and/or mental illness to build work ready skills
Free Parking

Branch Out Café is a Social Enterprise that is designed to build the skills and confidence of young adults with a disability and/or mental illness in a real world setting and prepare them for future employment in the hospitality industry. The Café is a funded program until June 30 2013 and the Café Coordinator plays an integral role of building business capacity for the program with the view to becoming a self funded program.

Café Trainer
Temporary part time at 20-30 hours per week
Help people with a disability and/or mental illness to build work ready skills
Free Parking

Branch Out Café is a Social Enterprise that is designed to build the skills and confidence of young adults with a disability and/or mental illness in a real world setting and prepare them for future employment in the hospitality industry. The Café is a funded program until June 30 2013 and the Café Trainer plays an integral role in training the trainees to achieve the competencies against the training program.

Holiday Happenings

about time they got a website!!!

The school holiday activities directory
Canberra - Queanbeyan region

http://holidayhappenings.com.au/

Free Christmas Day lunch at Lyons - All welcome - spread the word!

Woden Community Service will be hosting its third annual Community Christmas
Day Lunch on Tuesday 25 December 12-2pm at Lyons Early Childhood School ,
Cnr Launceston St and Tarraleah Cres Lyons.

It is a free event and transport is available on request.

To RSVP, to request transport and/or let us know any dietary requirements,
please call 6282 2644.

Please distribute to any one you know or working with who may like to spend
Christmas with people in their community. A flyer/invitation can be found
at:
http://www.wcs.org.au/wcs-latest-news-and-events/wcs-hosts-free-community-ch
ristmas-day-lunch

This is a wonderful community event that brings people together for a great
feed and company! Thanks for your support in making this a success.

Cafe helps disabled school leavers into workforce

A new cafe has been launched in Canberra's north to help young adults with disabilities transition into the workforce.

 The Branch Out Cafe in Holt was set up by Carers ACT and provides hospitality training to school leavers.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-04/cafe-provides-skills-for-workforce-transition/4408200

2 Canberra Positive Partnerships case studies!

Adrienne's
http://www.positivepartnerships.com.au/public/index.cfm?action=showPublicContent&assetCategoryId=1151

wonder whose this could be?
http://www.positivepartnerships.com.au/public/index.cfm?action=showPublicContent&assetCategoryId=1157

and seeing as we both recommended CASPAR here it is :)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/casparcanberra/

So you just got an ASD diagnosis, Part 3

I'm hoping to  make this a series of tips and information for parents of children with autism - however I'm sure a lot of the information would apply to children with other disabilities! Please feel free to post comments or share your tips, or ideas for further parts to the series. If your child has another disability and you're interested in writing a similar post or series please contact me!

___________________________

Part 3

Funding
If you're lucky enough to get an ASD diagnosis before your child is 7 years old you may be entitled to a significant amount of funding to assist with therapy, equipment etc.

We weren't lucky enough to get any of this funding so I don't know a lot about it but thanks to many people on the CASPAR facebook group, and the Essential Baby forum I have many links to share with you :)

There are also a few other kinds of funding that may be of use over time.

Helping Children with Autism Package
The Enhanced Primary Care Program (EPC) scheme is for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder who need help in any of the allied health areas including speech pathology, psychology, and occupational therapy. Talk to your GP about putting together an Enhanced Primary Care program for your child. (From AAACT)

Information on the Dept. Health & Ageing website, including Fact Sheets
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/autism-children

Information on the FAHCSIA website
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/program-services/for-people-with-disability/helping-children-with-autism

Better Access to Mental Health Care (Medicare Rebates)
The Better Access to Mental Health Care program provides up to 10 clinical psychology sessions per calendar year as part of a Mental Health Care Plan developed by a GP
http://www.autismunderstanding.com.au/index.php/fees-a-services/medicare-rebates

Chronic Disease Management Items (Medicare Rebates)
The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Medicare items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) enable GPs to plan and coordinate the health care of patients with chronic or terminal medical conditions, including patients with these conditions who require multidisciplinary, team-based care from a GP and at least two other health or care providers.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mbsprimarycare-chronicdiseasemanagement

Carer Allowance
A diagnosis of Autism or Asperger Syndrome means you are automatically entitled to Carer Allowance (just over $100 per fortnight, plus an annual payment of around $1K). a diagnosis of PDD-NOS will require you to prove the child's needs - your GP, paed or psych will need to complete the form with you.  Here is the list of recognised disabilities.  Carer Allowance is not means tested.

Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment for parents or carers who provide additional daily care to an adult or dependent child who has a disability or medical condition or is frail aged.
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/carer-allowance

Carer Payment
Carer Payment provides financial support if you are unable to work in substantial paid employment because you are providing full-time daily care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition, or to someone who is frail aged.
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/carer-payment

Carer Adjustment Payment
Carer Adjustment Payment is a one-off payment that helps families deal with the increased care needs of a 0 to 6-year-old child who has had a sudden and severe illness or accident.
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/carer-adjustment-payment

ACT Government Grants
http://www.grants.act.gov.au/

Quality of Life Grants
Quality of Life Grants will be offered for small, person-centred initiatives that will make a real difference to the quality of life of people with a disability. Applications for grant funding are invited from people with disabilities aged under 65, and the families, carers and services who support them. Grants awarded are between $500 - $5000 - total of $100,000
http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/home/grants#qol

Good Life Planning Grants
Good Life Planning Grants are for people who are not linked to government-funded service providers that provide assistance for the development and implementation of their good life plan.
http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/home/grants#glp

ABA Therapy as a Tax Deduction
I can't say this is definite, but save your reciepts and check with your accountant :) some parents have been able to claim in recent years.
http://www.ato.gov.au/rba/content.aspx?doc=/rba/content/4119.htm

Conveyancing Allowance
I haven't been able to find anything about how this works in the ACT but it is mentioned on the ACTION website on their privacy page. If anyone finds out more let me know! this is the basics of what it's all about:

The allowance is available to eligible students attending government and non-government schools in all country and outer metropolitan areas. It applies to travel by public transport, private bus and private car. The Allowance is available to students aged between 5 and 21 who live more than 4.8km by the shortest practicable route from the nearest school and do not have access to the free school bus service.

Update to Helen Upshall Counselling services

New Introductory Rate for Sessions with Children and Teens: $90 
I have decided to intorduce a new rate for children and teens who access my service. *This rate will apply whether the service is accessed at the O'Connor office or at the client's home.
 *There is still the alternative service delivery, where counselling sessions can be held at the most appropriate place for the young person
* For some children or Teens this could be a cafe or park.
* For some it could be in their family, room with a parent close by

http://www.helenupshallcounselling.com/

Andrew Leigh's Education Survey

have your say to Andrew Leigh about education in the ACT before the election.

http://www.andrewleigh.com/blog/?p=3174

Labor's promises to boost disability support

ACT Labor has pledged $15 million in support for people with a disability, their families and carers ahead of next month's election.

Part of the package includes the previously announced extra half-day of support per week for young people with a disability who have graduated from school, adding an extra $5,000 per person per year.
It would spend $1.5 million on payroll tax concessions to businesses employing school leavers with a disability.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-28/labor-promises-to-boost-disability-services/4286270

Canberra businesses / social enterprises

Jackmail
http://www.jacksonwest.org/jackmail

Ronnie's Succulent Snails
http://www.ronniessucculentsnails.com.au/


wigglygigglybyj
http://wigglygigglybyj.wordpress.com/

any others?

Rugby league great gets behind autism school

The Canberra Liberals have based their plan for an autism-specific school on a Queensland model that charges families fees in excess of $20,000 a year.
But the opposition, whose proposal was endorsed yesterday by former Canberra Raiders rugby league champion Ricky Stuart, said that they will be able to keep fees for their school lower than the $23,000 per year charged in Queensland.
The amount families pay for the Queensland schools, operated by the not-for-profit AEIOU Foundation, is higher than the fees charged at Canberra Grammar School.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/rugby-league-great-gets-behind-autism-school-20120926-26lvr.html

Discussion Point - Autism Specific School for Canberra

So the Libs have promised a 40 place Autism specific "school" for Canberra. There has been a lot of discussion all over facebook, twitter, and apparently websites such as the Riotact etc.

I rarely give any personal opinion on this blog, preferring to keep it to events, facts, and reporting only, however this seems to be such a huge issue in the ACT right now I think it's worth having a conversation over.

My thoughts are that :

• 40 places are not nearly enough given the rates of autism / disability (i would go so far as to say they are a token)
• the model requires the parents / centre to be fundraising to keep it going which is frankly crazy (lol)
• it's not a "school", it's an early intervention centre
• why is it autism only? why is it not a general early intervention centre for all children with disabilities, with autism streams within (but only where a specific autism stream is a necessity due to the needs of children with autism)
• it's a promise which is likely to backfire if generating votes was the main focus. while some people are excited by the idea the majority of people i see discussing it have major concerns about it.

Just reading the latest story to be posted on the Canberra Times about it and they predict fees will be less than $23000 pa per child - OMG! there is NO WAY on earth that we would have been able to afford that and no way on earth parents should have to pay that! what about parents on low incomes? what about parents who have autism (or other disabilities) themselves and are unable to work  due to their disability?

So what are your thoughts?

Ricky Stuart supporting Lib's promise of Autism School

ACT Opposition Leader Zed Seselja has welcomed today’s funding pledge from Ricky Stuart for the autism school that the Canberra Liberals have committed to if elected. The Ricky Stuart Foundation was established last year to help raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

http://www.canberraliberals.org.au/LATEST-NEWS/ZED-SESELJA-MLA/ZED-WELCOMES-RICKY-STUARTS-SUPPORT-FOR-LIBS-AUTISM-SCHOOL.asp

So you just got an ASD diagnosis, what next?

I'm hoping to  make this a series of tips and information for parents of children with autism - however I'm sure a lot of the information would apply to children with other disabilities! Please feel free to post comments or share your tips, or ideas for further parts to the series. If your child has another disability and you're interested in writing a similar post or series please contact me!

___________________________

Part 1

the best starting point would be to look at AAACT's fantastic info book (that's Autism Asperger ACT) http://www.autismaspergeract.com.au/whatdowedonow

If your child is under 7 you should be entitled to the Helping Children With Autism package
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/program-services/for-people-with-disability/helping-children-with-autism#2
the best way to find out more about this is to contact AAACT and speak with an Autism Advisor.

 If your child is over 7 unfortunately there is no funding available, however you can attend the free (and highly recommended) Positive Partnerships courses, or work through the modules online.
http://www.autismtraining.com.au/public/index.cfm

If you have a diagnosis of Autism or Asperger Syndrome you should be able to apply for and be eligible for Carer's Allowance (just over $100 per fortnight), if the diagnosis is PDD-NOS you will have to prove your need for it.  when you do this application you should be sent out a Health Care Card - if not contact Centrelink for further information.
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/carer-allowance

Various  types of therapy can be useful for your child, your family and yourself. A starting point can be to contact Therapy ACT (TACT) for a multi-disciplinary assessment and to access therapists including social workers, psychologists, speech therapists and occupational therapists.
I believe before you can access their services you will need to attend a series of workshops as an introduction to Autism. unfortunately the days and times for these are very limited and as a working parent I was unable to attend - however my mother was able to attend on my behalf.
http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/therapyact/about_us/TAS

AAACT also run support groups of various kinds including for parents of young children and school age children, as well as a number of activities for kids and families.  If you become a member of AAACT (free) you will have access to their extensive and free library, member newsletters and updates and any workshops etc they run.
http://www.autismaspergeract.com.au/

Online support groups are common to and one of the best ACT region groups is CASPAR (Canberra Autism Spectrum Parents and Relatives)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/casparcanberra/

this newsletter by Anna Tullemans might help with who to tell, how to tell and what to do yourself
http://www.annatullemans.com/assets/documents/newsletters/meeting_the_needs_newsletter_no14.pdf

ACT Liberals pledge to build autism-specific school

The Canberra Liberals will officially launch their election campaign today with a promise to build Canberra's first autism-specific school.
The policy will be part of the Liberals' campaign launch at the National Convention Centre.
The 40-place early intervention centre would provide full-time intensive programs for children aged between 2½ and six years who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.


http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-liberals-pledge-to-build-autismspecific-school-20120921-26cpj.html

Policy and Research Officer - Carers ACT

The Policy and Research Officer is a vital role in the organisation, and requires demonstrated research and analytical experience with a genuine interest in policy.

Tertiary qualifications (or almost completed) in any of the following: Policy, Research, Community Services or any related field; strong ability to analyse and organise, highly developed written communication and interpersonal skills, experience in liaising with a wide range of stakeholders. This is a fulltime position to 30 June 2013.

http://www.carersact.org.au/employment/current-vacancies

Buzz Mobile Speech Pathology

School Holiday Fast Track Program

If your child has been on a waiting list for speech therapy; enquire about our Fast Track Holiday Program.  The program is tailored for children with known speech errors or who are having trouble learning to spell or read.  Working with your child in an intensive speech program will give you valuable skills to assist your child at home and practice the new skills learnt in a fun and supportive environment.  If you are unsure of your child's speech, language or literacy development, book a full speech pathology assessment with Buzz.

Who:
Children aged 4 to 8 years of age

When:
Consultation session - 1 x 30 minute individual appointment
to be arranged between Monday 1st October and Friday 5th October

Fast Track Sessions:
4 days, 1.5 hours each day.
Tuesday 9th - Friday 12th October

For more information please call Larissa Hollier on 0402 704 199 or email hello@buzzspeech.com.au or www.buzzspeech.com.au

U-Can Read

Does your child need help with reading?
Year 3 to Year 10*
Enrol Now

U-CAN READ:
Intake 1 2013
Parent seminars commence on October 30 2012
Students commence in February 2013

See Website:
www.ucanread.org
for more information.

Applications close 28 September 2012
Phone: 6201 2453 or email ucanread@canberra.edu.au

U-CAN READ is a parent education program conducted by the University of Canberra and the ACT Education and Training Directorate

*Students who are currently in Year Two may apply for Intake 1 2013

School Leaver Traineeships

CLOSES MONDAY!!!!

Applications for the 2013 School Leaver Traineeships open on Thursday 30 August and close on Monday 24 September 2012. There are up to 10 positions available. and students who are currently in Year 12 or who completed Year 12 in 2011 are eligible to apply.

If you are an Indigenous Australian, a person with disability or are from a culturally or linguistically diverse background we also encourage you to apply for our Traineeship Program.

http://www.environment.gov.au/about/jobs/traineeship/recruitment-2013.html

Carers ACT Walking Group

Carers ACT Walking Group

Time: 10am– 11am
Date: 5 Ocotber
Place: Carers ACT, 80 Beaurepaire Cresent Holt ACT 2615
(For current carers who reside in the ACT)
The Heart Foundation’s Bill Caddy will speak briefly then lead a 30 minute walk. On return to the Carers ACT Hub (Holt), Bill will sign up the new group over morning tea.
On Fridays 12 and 19 October, the group will be led by Carers ACT staff or an elected group leader.
FREE but bookings essential, to RSVP please call Eleanor on 6269 9908 or email rsvp@carersact.org.au