National Disability Services NDS Update

1
National Disability Services (NDS) Update DADHC
Northern Region October 2009
2
Contents

• Northern Region NDS Regional Meeting dates
• Stronger Together Update
• HACC Update
• Major projects update on Northerns Aboriginal
  Project
• Sharing Directions 2009 Symposium
• Dates of NGO Clinical Behaviour Forums
• FMS Update
• Human Services Restructure

3
Northern Region NDS Meetings

• Thursday 15 October Coffs Harbour Mid North Coast
• Friday 16 October Ballina Far North Coast
• Friday 30 October Armidale New England

4
Stronger Together Update

• Independent Living Drop In Support
• The three Independent Living Drop In Support
  Service providers have met twice with DADHC to
  discuss and develop the implementation phase of
  the project.
• Service brochures have been developed and
  providers contacted in order to initiate
  referrals for the program.

5
Stronger Together Update

• Life Choices and Active Ageing
• In Northern Region new Life Choices and Active
  Ageing day programs have been purchased in
  2008-09.
• Two new Fact Sheets were distributed to service
  providers across the state in June and July 2009
  with information, including information about
  processes for referral and intake.
• Service providers were also advised in September
  that they could approach their Regional Office to
  request reviews of levels of support where there
  has been a significant change in a persons
  support needs or circumstances or where further
  information is available. The Northern Region
  contact is David King, Senior Project Officer
  (6620 1417)

6
Northerns Major Projects

• NDS were briefed during the last round of its
  Regional Meetings in July on a number of the
  Major Projects being implemented across the
  Planning and Access business streams this year.
• We now have a new Aboriginal Project off the
  ground.
• Using the DADHC Access and Equity Plan
  Strengthening services for Aboriginal People
  2009-2011 as a framework, a number of issues for
  Aboriginal communities, families, non-government
  organisations (NGOs) and staff in Northern Region
  were identified and the two highest priority
  issues are to be developed into two projects
• Relationship building that will include a forum
  and workshops to work on improving the
  relationship between Aboriginal NGOs in Northern
  Region and DADHC and
• Timely information to improve how information
  gets to Aboriginal communities and service users
  so they know what services are available to them.
  
• Cont

7
Northerns Major Projects

• Each project will have a project team and the
  Northern Aboriginal ADHC Network will be a
  reference group to the project.
• Representatives from Aboriginal NGOs will also be
  asked to be members of the Relationship Building
  project team.

8
Sharing Directions 2009 Symposium

• The Symposium provided an opportunity for the
  sector to get together to talk about directions
  in the ADHC funded service system in Northern
  Region.
• On the feedback sheets, the symposium was
  described as informative, challenging and fun
  and inspiring and motivational.
• Although all sessions were rated highly, in
  particular the case studies when clients and
  carers told their own stories were highly valued.
  
• Papers from the symposium are now on the web site
  sharingdirections2009.com
• The challenge now is to follow up the symposium
  with more information and practical support for
  the whole sector.

9
HACC Update

• HACC is now in the second year of the HACC
  Triennial Plan 2008 - 2011.
• HACC 2008 - 2011 Regional Plans are on the
  DADHC website.
• Funding allocations for 2009-10 are being
  progressed.
• To streamline the tender process and reduce
  workload for service providers and ADHC, HACC
  tenders for 2009-10 and 2010-11 will be
  advertised together, probably in October.
• We are waiting for sign off of the 2009-10 HACC
  Direct Allocations.
• HACC funded services requiring small non
  recurrent grants to purchase minor capital
  items, should contact Northern Region Planning
  and Purchasing
• New England - Graeme Miller
• Mid North Coast - Daniel Golden 
• Far North Coast - Judith Gooden
•  

10
NGO Clinical Behaviour Forums

• The NGO Clinical Behaviour Forums are part of
  Northerns Engaging with the Sector project.
• This projects aim is to collaborate with the
  service sector to support choice and control for
  our clients through dialogue and shared problem
  solving.
• These Clinical Behaviour Forums follow the roll
  out of the new ADHC Behaviour Support Policy and
  Practice Manual and support ongoing discussion
  and professional exchange.
• A NGO Clinical Behaviour Forum was held on the
  MNC on 24 September and was very successful in
  generating useful discussion and identifying
  issues for providers.
• The first forum on the FNC will be on 5 November
  in the ADHC Regional Office in Lismore.
• A forum for the New England area is still being
  developed.

11
Funding Management System Update

• The June 2009 communication explaining the
  Funding Management System (FMS) is available on
  the Service Provider Portal.
• DADHC regional offices continue to align contract
  data to the FMS structure and are contacting
  providers as necessary.
• The data alignment approach recognises the
  balance between accountability of contracted
  services and the impact on the provider
• Implementation is anticipated in mid-2010.
• Future FMS updates will be available through the
  Service Provider Portal.
• If providers have questions about the FMS, they
  can contact their Northern Region Service Support
  and Development Officer.

12
Human Services Restructure Update

• The following agencies now form the new NSW
  Department of Human Services
• Aboriginal Affairs NSW
• Ageing, Disability and Home Care
• Community Services
• Housing NSW
• Juvenile Justice
• NSW Aboriginal Housing Office
• NSW Businesslink Pty Ltd
• These former departments will now be known as
  agencies and the title of the heads of these
  agencies has changed from Director-General to
  Chief Executive. The Chief Executives meet on a
  fortnightly basis.
• Ministers also meet monthly and are coordinated
  by Minister Burney.