NDIS – A Consumer Perspective Craig Wallace, Senior Community Development Worker

Acknowledgement of Country I would like to pay my respects to the Wurundjeri people on whose land we meet today and pay my respects Wurundjeri Elders past, present and future, and extend those respects to any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People here today

About VMIAC All staff have a lived experience of mental ill health and/or emotional distress and recovery Formed in 1980s Statewide organisation based in Brunswick East Peak body for mental health consumers The power of language (e.g.1. consumers, participants, clients, service users, people who use our service)(e.g. 2. mental illness, mental health challenges, social and emotional wellbeing) Receive State and Federal funding Advocacy individual Advocacy systemic (e.g. smoking ban, safe admission for women) E-bulletin and Newsletter

About VMIAC (cont.) Consumer Workforce Conference, March 2016 Consumer workforce and mutual support (CWEMS) days every 6 weeks Typically 11am-12pm Guest speaker, 12-1pm Lunch, 1-3pm Mutual support Recent topics- Open Dialogue, NDIS We are not an homogenous group so who can or should say what about what? Support peer support groups

The DSO Project (Disability Support Organisation) What is a DSO? (Not a direct service provider, has over 50% of its Board with disability) 19 DSOs nationally 6 in Victoria (AMAZE Autism Spectrum; VALID Intellectual Disability; Downs Syndrome Victoria, Association for Children with a Disability; Carers Victoria; VMIAC) Mental health – VMIAC and CoMHWA (Consumers of Mental Health Western Australia – 4 groups) Working out where peer support fits in the NDIS 20 peer support groups Able to apply for $5000 funding over a 18 month period

Diversity of Groups - Geographical Metro (11) Fringe (2) Mornington, Healesville Regional (7) Geelong x 2, Ballarat, Horsham, Castlemaine, Bendigo, Mildura BY NDIS ROLLOUT 2013- Barwon trial site (2) July 2016 North East Metropolitan Area (NEMA) (4) Jan 2017 Central Highlands (1 – Ballarat) May 2017 Loddon (2 – Bendigo, Castlemaine)

Diversity of Groups – Target population SRS Residents Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Communities Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People People who hear voices People who are deaf-blind Young people 12 – 25 years old People who experience bipolar People of diverse sexualities and gender identities (GLBTIQA+) People who experience eating disorders

Outcomes – CHIME Recovery Framework Connectedness Hope and optimism about the future Identity Meaning and purpose in life Empowerment (Leamy et al. (2011) A conceptual framework for personal recovery in mental health: systematic review and narrative synthesis, British Journal Psychiatry, 199, 445-452 )

NDIS – Consumer Concerns (Barwon) Language – permanent disability, significant impairment – not consistent with recovery model and practice Having to present self in the worst possible way Paperwork can be overwhelming NDIA Planning staff need to understand mental illness Not responsive to episodic nature of mental illness – NDIA have responded to this concern/advocacy Service providers discouraging consumers from self-managing Small specialist service providers not surviving – e.g. Pathways How does peer work fit with the NDIS?

NDIS – Consumer Concerns (NEMA) (North-Eastern Metro Area -Yarra, Darebin, Banyule, Nilumbik, Whittlesea) -Funding from MHCSS (Mental Health Community Support Services) is going into a generic disability fund Consumers are going to be getting “Basic Plans” – how does this fit with goals and PRPs/IRPs (Personal Recovery Plans, Individual Recovery Plans)? NDIS Act (2013) Section 4 – Guiding Principles Guiding Actions under this Act (11)  Reasonable and necessary supports for people with disability should:                      (a)  support people with disability to pursue their goals and maximise their independence;

NDIS – Consumer Concerns (cont) What is there for people who are not eligible? Role of Local Area Coordinator (LAC) Role of Information, Linkages & Capacity Building (ILC) (Tier 2) What choice do I have if there aren’t services in my area? Concerns about time taken to “scheme maturity”

Your region Loddon (Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander) Local Area Coordinator - Intereach Rollout commences May 1st, 2017, Pre-phasing activities from November 1, 2016 VMIAC & The Maine Connection NDIS Mental Health Information Session (consumer focus), Tuesday 29th November, 1pm to 3pm, Uniting Church Hall, Littleton St, Castlemaine. RSVP to craig.wallace@vmiac.org.au

For further information or discussion craig.wallace@vmiac.org.au (03) 9380-3900 0499 019 619