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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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, )

9. 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?

10. 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;

11. 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”

12. 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

13. For further information or discussion
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