2. Aims of the session
To learn about DisabilityCare Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme
To explore how to prepare for DisabilityCare Australia
To reflect on how families can support practical goal setting and choosing the supports and services that will best help people achieve their life plans
To identify any supports and resources families might need

3. What is DisabilityCare Australia? Group Exercise
Universal health care scheme
Comparing Medicare with DisabilityCare Australia
Exercise – list features of Medicare

4. Universal health care scheme
What is DisabilityCare Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
Universal health care scheme
Has been implemented in other countries in the world (eg Scotland) successfully and will be implemented here in Australia over the next few years
There are many details of the NDIS still to be worked out
Focuses on those who are most in need who have a permanent disability
Focuses on intensive early intervention
 The NDIS will be launched at 4 trial sites from mid 2013

5. Current model of PDRSS service

6. Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation Support Services & Carer Respite Services
Supported accommodation
Community activities
Learning activities
Socialising activities
Sporting activities
Employment support
Housing support
Group learning
Family education
Personal development/recovery group learning
Breaks away from caring roles

7. Features of current model
People are only entitled to services within the region that they live
Services are funded to provide a certain number of hours of service
The types of services don’t necessarily suit everyone
Not many services have catered to the needs of people from diverse cultures
Catchment area bound – people are only entitled to services within the region in which the person lives
Services are funded to provide a certain number of hours of service. As a consequence many services have long waiting times to be accepted to the service and many people aren’t getting access to services
The types of services don’t necessarily suit everyone. For example, most of them are group based, and some people would like to do things on a one-to-one basis.
Not many services have catered to the needs of people from diverse cultures. therefore people from these cultures don’t have the opportunity to receive support or cultural appropriateness for their individual or family needs.

8. The DisabilityCare Australia model of service
1. Referral to DisabilityCare Australia 2. Assessment by DisabilityCare Australia • Assessment of eligibility 3. Planning and choosing services and support • Form a plan of what the person wants and needs to achieve independence • Must be ‘reasonable and necessary’ • Establish an individual budget based on the plan • Identify and access services and supports with Local Area Coordinator 4. Review process • Review outcomes of support • Changes made as needed
Referral to NDIS Local Area Coordinator
Assessment by Local Area Coordinator
Assessment of need – may involve family/carer; may draw on existing assessments; may include specialist assessment
Establishment of individual budget
Planning and choosing services and support
Local Area Coordinator supports person to decide what services they need. This becomes a goal plan.
These services are assessed as to whether they are ‘reasonable and necessary’ – to be further discussed later
Local Area Coordinator assists with identifying and accessing services and supports
Review process
Local Area Coordinator meets person to discuss whether the support has been useful and what changes might be necessary to make in the plan.
Adjustments made as needed

9. Features of the DisabilityCare Australia model
Individuals can decide what types of services they need
Individuals can choose services that are not necessarily in their local area
Individuals can choose services from mainstream providers
Individuals can choose culturally appropriate, religiously appropriate services
Features of this model include:
Individuals can decide (in consultation with Local Area Coordinator) what types of services they need (within the ‘reasonable and necessary ‘ confines to be discussed later)
Individuals are not confined to services provided within a given area
Individuals have the option of seeking services from mainstream providers, for examples directly from Neighborhood Houses, Walking Clubs and other sporting clubs, art teachers, learning institutions as well as PDRSs to receive the services that currently they can only get from PDRSs
Individuals will have the option of seeking services that are culturally appropriate to them, or who have understandings of a particular groups’ needs for example gay and lesbian people, the needs of a particular religious group.
Principles that inform this model;
Individualism
Choice for the individual
Control for the individual

10. Principles that inform DisabilityCare Australia
Individualism
Choice for the individual
Control for the individual

11. Current vs. DisabilityCare Australia Service Delivery
Current System
DisabilityCare Australia System
Individuals can choose from the services that are offered within the local PDRSS services and Commonwealth Respite Services for families
Individuals can decide what types of services they need and from a broader range of services
Catchment area bound
Individuals are not confined to services provided within a given area
Services are funded to provide a certain number of hours of service
Length and intensity of service is provided according to need
The types of services that are available don’t necessarily suit everyone
Individuals have the option of seeking services from mainstream providers
Not many services have catered to the needs of people from diverse cultures, religious groups, varying sexuality
Individuals will be able to choose to purchase what they need from ethno-specific services and those who cater to the needs of different religions and sexualities
Features of this model include:
Individuals can decide (in consultation with Local Area Coordinator) what types of services they need (within the ‘reasonable and necessary ‘ confines to be discussed later)
Individuals are not confined to services provided within a given area
Individuals have the option of seeking services from mainstream providers, for examples directly from Neighborhood Houses, Walking Clubs and other sporting clubs, art teachers, learning institutions as well as PDRSs to receive the services that currently they can only get from PDRSs
Individuals will have the option of seeking services that are culturally appropriate to them, or who have understandings of a particular groups’ needs for example gay and lesbian people, the needs of a particular religious group.
Principles that inform this model;
Individualism
Choice for the individual
Control for the individual

12. What does ‘reasonable’ & ‘necessary’ mean?
Supports and services;
Should support the individual to achieve their goals and maximize their independence
Should support the individual’s capacity to undertake activities of daily living to enable them to participate in the community and/or employment
Are effective, and evidence informed
Offer value for money
Should reflect community expectations, including what is realistic to expect from the individual, families and carers
Are best provided through an NDIS rather than through other systems of service delivery and support
Supports and services;
Should support the individual to achieve their goals and maximize their independence – will add value to the
Should support the individual’s capacity to undertake activities of daily living to enable them to participate in the community and/or employment
Are effective, and evidence informed
Offer value for money
Should reflect community expectations, including what is realistic to expect from the individual, families and carers
Are best provided through an NDIS rather than through other systems of service delivery and support, including services that are provided through mainstream services as a part of their universal service obligations.

13. Carer support Families can help the person take control by:
Knowing what helps them manage their illness
Knowing what they want from life and what they need so they can reach their goals 
Helping to find information about different options
Assisting the person to clearly communicate their choices
Knowing who else can support or advocate for the person as they choose the support / services they need to help them reach their goals

14. Assessment & planning
What support would be helpful for a family to provide in the assessment and planning process?
What things would the family offer?
How could the family try and ensure that the person was as involved as possible in making choices?
What would the family need to ensure they also feel supported in this process?

15. Assessment & planning during acute illness
Listen to what the person is communicating, both verbally and non-verbally – carers and families will often be able to “translate” some of the concerns and fears a person may have about the assessment and planning process
Whenever possible, attend to the person’s preferences about how meetings or conversations are conducted: e.g., the person may only be able to tolerate short conversations, or may wish to sit outside rather than inside
Draw on plans that were discussed or in place while the person was less unwell – that way their needs and choices can still be heard
Carers and family may need to take a more active and assertive role if the person’s insight and judgement is affected

16. Assessment & planning during early recovery
Ask the person how they would like you to support them in the process
Assist the person to access information about their rights and the options that are available to them
Encourage the person to access advice or support from peers
Resist the urge to expect too much or too little: give the person space to set their own goals and articulate their own needs
Offer messages of hope and encouragement
Notice small achievements

17. Assessment & planning in established recovery
Encourage the person to take the lead in the process: ask if they would like your support
Respect the person’s autonomy
Offer positive feedback
Notice small and large achievements

18. What makes a good life? Feeling well
Having good nutritious food that you enjoy
Having regular exercise that is enjoyable
Having something to do each day that is meaningful to you
Adequate, secure, affordable accommodation
Strong family support
Good friendships and relationships
A positive vision of the future life
Financial support to sustain a good lifestyle

19. Recovery factors Acceptance of illness Hope and courage
Managing symptoms
Education
Reconstructing identity and purpose
Supporting others
Choice, responsibility, control and empowerment
Meaningful activity
Advocacy
(Pat Deegan)

20. Reflective exercise
Take a moment to reflect on what you know about the person you care for. Discuss with the other person:
What areas do you think they have made small progress in already?
What areas have they made large progress in?
What types of questions could you imagine using in a conversation with your family member to prompt conversation about issues?
Which areas that we have identified do you think will be a priority for them?
Do you have ideas about what you think would be the most helpful types of support and services that might be able to be purchased through DisabilityCare Australia?

21. Change ‘You can’t change other people – you can only change yourself’
Changes to our own communication and actions may result in more effective support for the person with the mental illness and more effective care for ourselves as carers

23. Examples of life domains
Family – How do you want your family to feature in your life?
Physical and mental – What fitness or health goals do you want to achieve?
Social - How do you want to enjoy yourself and with whom?
Creativity - Do you want to achieve any artistic or creative goals?
Work - What do you want to achieve?
Financial - How much do you want to earn, by when? How is this related to your career goals?
Education - Is there any knowledge you want to acquire in particular? What information and skills will you need to have in order to achieve other goals?
Advocacy/volunteering - Do you want to make the world a better place? Do you want to be involved in a social cause? If so, how?

24. Being an effective advocate
Know what the person needs to achieve their life goals; and know what you (as a carer/family member) need to support their goals. Be ready to talk about this 
Know about the most effective service providers and be ready to offer advice or information when required
Know about the rights of the person with mental illness and your rights as a carer