1. NDIS an Introduction Welcome to everyone who has come along today.
Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge the [insert the name of the local traditional owners,], the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their Elders, both past and present, and to any other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people who are here today.
and please let me acknowledge the traditional owners on whose land we meet today and pay my respect to their elders past and present.
We’re (I’m) here today on behalf Intereach who are the Local Area Coordination partner of the National Disability Insurance Agency in the Loddon Area.
Local Area Coordination partners and the NDIA are working together closely to build and improve the way the Scheme is delivered to make sure it works for people with disability in the best possible way. This arrangement enables the Scheme to be implemented at a local community level.
This session should assist you and your family to learn more about the National Disability Insurance Scheme before it rolls out in Loddon on the 1st May 2017.
We won’t be discussing individual situations and there is no need for you to discuss anything about your situation. We encourage questions that don’t disclose personal and private information.
(refer to facilitators guide for more information)

2. What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a new way of delivering support and services for people with disability, their families and carers.
In 2010 the government asked the Productivity Commission to investigate the way people with disability lived their lives, and whether the supports and care they received met their needs. They commission found that ‘The current disability support system is underfunded, unfair, fragmented, and inefficient, and gives people with a disability little choice and no certainty of access to appropriate supports’. As a result the NDIS started in 2013.

3. The principles of the NDIS include
People with disability have the same rights as other members of the community to realise their potential, and live an ‘ordinary life’
People with disability, their families and carers should have certainty they will receive the support they need
People with disability should be supported to fulfil their goals and decide who provides their support
The role of families and carers in the lives of people with disability is to be acknowledged and respected
The NDIS principles align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the National Disability Strategy
The NDIS forms part of Australia’s National Disability Strategy, as reflected in the NDIS principles:
People with disability have the same right as other members of the community to realise their potential
People with disability, their families and carers should have certainty they will receive the support and assistance they need (see notes)
People with disability should be supported to exercise choice in the pursuit of their goals and the planning and delivery of their supports
The role of families and carers in the lives of people with disability is to be acknowledged and respected
The NDIS assists Australia to meet our obligations under the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

4. NDIS and the NDIA
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) administers the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIA’s job is to:
Work with partners to deliver the NDIS
Build community awareness of disability
Ensure financial sustainability of the NDIS
Develop and enhance the disability sector
NDIS partners organisations
The NDIA recognises there are organisations that already have strong community connections, knowledge and expertise. Partnering with these organisations will help the NDIA to deliver the Scheme.
In Victoria, partners will play a role in preparing people with disability to get ready for the NDIS, assisting people to develop and implement their plans and connecting people with disability with the wider community. The Department of Health and Human Services are a key partner, and they are here with us today.
Another key partner is Intereach who will providing Local Area Coordination in Loddon. Local Area Coordination (the coordinator’s are known as LACs). Local Area Coordinators (LACs) are a critical part of the NDIS gateway because they work to ensure the local community is more inclusive and to ensure people with a disability are linked to community life. A central role of LACs is to help people with disability, including those who do not become participants, to be linked up in their community and to assist to coordinate the supports they receive through the NDIS and the supports they receive outside the NDIS.
You will hear about and see LACs around the community.
Delivering the NDIS
Its described in:
The Intergovernmental Agreement for the National Disability Insurance Scheme launch; and
The NDIS legislation
Its the NDIA’s job to:
Ensure the financial sustainability of NDIS by:
Funding individualised reasonable and necessary packages of support
Providing innovative and flexible support to people with disability
Taking a lifetime view of support needs and ensuring a sustainable balance of costs and outcomes
Report and advise on the financial sustainability of the scheme
Develop and enhance the disability sector by:
The successful transitioning of existing sector providers
Identifying and addressing barriers to success
Building a sustainable sector and workforce
Build community awareness of disability by:
Developing capacity and help create improved opportunities for people with disability to access and participate in community activities.
Collect, analyse and exchange data about disability and supports by:
Implementing IT systems which capture robust data and produce requisite reports
Analyse and use data to promote awareness and inclusion of people with disability
Undertake research relating to disability and supports by:
Sharing information about lessons learned
Modelling future needs, disability prevention, evaluating early interventions and supports and so forth

5. What are some of the differences between the old systems and NDIS?
Feature
Former system
NDIS
Access criteria
Varies from state to state
Nationally consistent as set out in legislation
Choice and control
Varies from state to state - most people have little say over the supports they receive
Individual has control over the type and mix of supports, delivery and how their funding is managed
Level of assistance
Capped – people may be eligible but may spend years on waiting lists
Demand driven – people with disability get the support they need, when they need it, to make progress towards their goals
Funding
Multiple programs within and across governments
Single pool of government funding administered by NDIA

6. Transition from trial to full scheme*
30 June 2016
* 30 June 2016

7. The roll out of the NDIS in Victoria & Loddon
The NDIS will be made available progressively across the state over the next three years
By July 2019, it is estimated that 105,000 people will transition to the NDIS in Victoria
Loddon Area will commence transition to the NDIS from 1 May 2017
Loddon Area incorporates the LGAs of:
Macedon Ranges
Mount Alexander
Central Goldfields
Loddon
Greater Bendigo
Campaspe
The NDIS will become available in the Loddon Region from the 1st May 2017.
To put this into perspective, in the Barwon Trial site approx plans were completed over 3 year period whilst in Victoria it is estimated that 105,000 people will transition into the scheme.
In Loddon we expecting 5,600. However DHHS will discuss this further.

8. Can I access the NDIS?
Note about defined programs: Some of the Victorian Government programs for people with disability have access requirements similar to the NDIS. If you are in these programs you will be deemed to have met the disability requirements to enter the NDIS, the NDIS citizenship and age requirements will still need to be met.
People who are eligible can access the NDIS. There are criteria you must meet to be eligible. The criteria include:
Age requirements
You must be under 65 years of age
Residency requirements
You need to live in Australia, and have paperwork that gives you permission to live here permanently.
Disability requirements
You need to have a disability that is likely to be with you for life that impacts on how you manage your everyday activities. This means that you need help from other people or special equipment to do certain things in your life. Mental health conditions are also seen as disabilities in the Scheme. This applies even if the mental health condition impacts on your life more at some times than others. Or
Early Intervention requirements
Early intervention helps people with a disability that is likely to be with them for life but could be improved by getting some additional support now.
Early intervention can also help children under six (6) years old with a developmental delay.
The focus is on people getting services and supports now so they require fewer services and supports in the future and can live a more independent life.
Some people with a disability will not be eligible for the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Agency will consider the range of eligibility criteria such as a person’s age, where they live, and their support requirements.
Not all people currently receiving supports and services will be supported under the NDIS. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements of the NDIS and are currently receiving care and support you will continue to receive supports to ensure that you are not disadvantaged by the transition to the NDIS. This is known as ‘continuity of support’.
Both governments have agreed to provide continuity of support for clients of their funded programs. The Commonwealth will have responsibility for continuity of support arrangements for people aged 65 years and over (and indigenous people 50 to 64 years), which will be implemented to coincide with the roll out of the NDIS.
Specific continuity of support arrangements will be finalised by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments by March 2016.

9. What if I’m not eligible to be a participant in the NDIS?
For people with disability who are not NDIS eligible, some help might be available through Information, Linkages and Capacity building (ILC)
Information Linkages and Capacity building (ILC) has two main focuses:
Personal capacity building – this depends on the person’s needs. It may include information about a community service, or how another government agency can help you. ILC will be available to all people with disability regardless of NDIS eligibility
Building community inclusion – helping mainstream services and community organisations be more inclusive for people with disability
If you are made ineligible you do have the right to a review of a reviewable decision under the Act. You will need to provide additional information to your initial access request.
You can also reapply apply at any time if your circumstances change.

10. Ordinary Life

11. The NDIS is here to help you by
Building your skills to be able to use mainstream services like health, education, employment, housing and justice systems
Helping you participate in your community such as clubs, groups, libraries or charities
Helping your informal care arrangements, which is the care you get from your family and friends
Providing funded supports to help you achieve your goals and objectives
The NDIS is a new way of providing support for eligible people with disability, their family and carers.
The NDIS helps you to:
Access mainstream services and supports These are the services available to all Australians. You can receive these services from a range of professionals including Hospitals and the Health Care Sector for health, Department of Education for Education, Disability Employment Services for Employment, Department of Health and Human Services for Housing and Department of Justice for Justice systems.
Access community services and supports
These are local activities and services available to everyone in the community, such as sporting clubs, community groups, libraries or charities.
Support your informal care arrangements
This is care and support you get from your family and friends. It is generally care you don’t pay for and is part of many people’s lives.
Receive reasonable and necessary funded supports, including early intervention if necessary
The NDIS can fund supports that are reasonable and necessary. This means they are related to your disability, and are required for you to live your life and achieve your goals. You can read more about reasonable and necessary supports on our website.

12. NDIS plans are individual
Individual Goals and Aspirations
Informal, Mainstream and Community Supports (provided by other systems, family, friends and community)
NDIS Funded Supports (reasonable and necessary)
An individual plan consists of:
What you would like to achieve in the future
a listing of other supports that help in meeting those goals such as the support provided by family and friends and other government services such as health and education,
and the funded supports provided by the scheme if appropriate
Types of funded supports
Most of you will access a blend of informal, mainstream and funded supports
Supports that are NDIS funded must be reasonable and necessary and must:
focus on what you would like to achieve
foster greater independence, social and economic participation
be evidence based
represent value for money
Reasonable and necessary – Insurance approach as part of the insurance based approach, the agency does not solely look at the cost of a particular support.
For example you may require a new wheelchair – the NDIS takes a holistic view, looking at how the wheelchair supports you to reach their goals, how the wheelchair will be used and in what environments, and what is lifespan of the wheelchair – rather than providing funds for a wheelchair that will need replacing in 2 years, a better investment decision might be to provide funds for a better quality wheelchair that will assist you for a longer period of time.
Investing early on for a longer term benefit.

13. What does the NDIS fund?
The NDIS pays for different supports for different people.
The type of support you could receive depends on what your goals are and what areas of your life you need help with
Funded supports may include:
Assistance with activities of daily living such as meal preparation, cleaning or personal care
Vehicle and home modifications
Mobility equipment and assistive technology
Transport for community, social and employment activities
Skills development programs, developed and monitored by therapist such as Speech, Occupational Therapist, Physios, etc.
What does the NDIS Fund?
The NDIS pays for different supports for different people. The type of support depends on what different people want to achieve and what areas of their life they need help with. Funded supports may include:
Help with household tasks and personal activities
Vehicle and home modifications
Mobility equipment and assistive technology
Transport to be involved in community, social and employment activities
Therapies related to the disability
The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports that help a participant to reach their goals, objectives and aspirations and to undertake activities to enable the participant’s social and economic participation.
A participant’s reasonable and necessary supports take into account any informal supports already available to the individual (informal arrangements that are part of family life or natural connections with friends and community services) as well as other formal supports, such as health and education.

14. What doesn’t the NDIS fund?
There are rules for the NDIS that mean some supports cannot be funded in an NDIS plan
The NDIS will not fund:
Supports that are not related to a person’s disability such as health conditions like Asthma
Supports that are funded by a different system, such as medical costs through Medicare
Day-to-day living costs that everyone pays for such as food, electricity and water
The NDIS Act and the rules made under the NDIS Act also tell us which supports will not be funded by the NDIS.
A support will not be funded if it:
is not related to the participant’s disability
duplicates other supports already funded by a different mechanism through the NDIS
relates to day-to-day living costs that are not related to a participant’s support needs, or
is likely to cause harm to the participant or pose a risk to others.

15. NDIS and mainstream systems
The NDIS is not intended to replace the supports or services provided by other systems, for example; medical services.
Wherever possible we will assist you to access mainstream supports.
There are key principles used to help us assess if another system is more appropriate to fund particular supports
Your first plan may include a range of supports provided by informal, mainstream and community networks. Some of these may be funded by the NDIS
The NDIS is not intended to replace supports or services provided by other mainstream systems
Wherever possible we assist you to access mainstream systems
The NDIS is not intended to replace the supports or services provided by other systems, for example; medical services. These are supports would be provided through a GP or specialist, we call these mainstream supports, or systems.
Wherever possible we will assist you to access mainstream supports. These supports already exist within your local community, you may not have know about, or had access to in the past
Key principles determine whether the NDIS or another system is more appropriate to fund particular supports. NIDS planners use the NDIS Rules and Operational Guidelines to make these decisions.
Your plan may include a range of supports provided by informal, mainstream and community networks. Some of these may be funded by the NDIS.
About NDIS and the Health System
NDIS will fund supports which help you manage ongoing functional impairment that results from your disability.
Supports that help you to undertake activities of daily living
Non-clinical supports
Aids and equipment
Some exceptions – nursing care that is integrally linked to care and support
The health system is responsible for helping individuals with clinical and medical treatment. Such as
Diagnosis and clinical treatment of health conditions (including ongoing or chronic)
Supports directly related to maintaining or improving your health status
Rehabilitation and support after a medical or surgical event
Medications and pharmaceuticals
About NDIS and the Education System
The NDIS will fund supports to enable you to attend school, where this helps you to engage in a range of community activities. This may include assistance with self-care at school or specialist transport and aids related to the student’s disability.
The education system is responsible for assisting students with their educational attainment.
As for everyone, individuals and families also have a role in funding education-related supports, such as purchasing school uniforms and paying course fees.

16. Local Area Coordination partners - Intereach
Leadership ~ Partnership ~ Social Justice

17. What is Local Area Coordination?
Link people to the NDIS
Link people to information and support
Build inclusive communities

18. How do we do this?
By supporting some NDIS participants to develop their plan
Link local people living with a disability to community supports
Intereach will support some participants to develop their NDIS plans. And will help those participant, families and carers to link with funded and non funded supports.
While others will be planned for by the NDIA.
Link local people living with a disability in the Loddon area to mainstream services and community resources.

19. Community Engagement and Support
The Information Van
E-News
Community Information Sessions
Targeted sessions
Pre-planning

20. Transition to NDIS by agreed Victorian defined programs
Disability
Supported Accommodation
Residential Institutions
Individual Support Package (ISP)
Futures for Young Adults
Community Respite
Facility Based Respite
Therapy (complex therapy meeting guidelines under the NDIS Act)
Behaviour Intervention Services
Flexible Support Packages
Outreach Support
Independent Living Training
Case Management (Case Management meeting guidelines under the NDIS Act)
Mental Health Community Support Services
Adult Residential Rehab Services
Individualised Client Support Packages
Supported Accommodation Services
Education
Early Childhood Invention Service
The list here outlines the range of Victorian defined programs, which will form the basis of our “phasing by activity” approach to NDIS transition.

21. Loddon Phasing
Existing clients: est. 3,833 over 6 months from 1 May 2017
New clients: est. 1,380 by 30 June 2019 (majority over first 12 months)
Activities to transition
May 2017
June 2017
July 2017
August 2017
September 2017
October 2017
DSR x
Supported Accommodation, Individual Support Packages & Futures for Young Adults
ECIS
Student Transport
Attendant Care
Other disability activities
MHCSS
HACC
New clients and other Commonwealth clients
Commonwealth - Residential aged care (young people)
Commonwealth - Home care (young people)

22. Next Steps
If you currently receive support (for example if you have someone attends your home to help you get ready in the morning, or you attend a day program) the NDIA will contact you
If you are not currently receiving support, you may still be able to access the NDIS
Tailored information sessions will be available as roll-out commences. Please check the NDIS web page for a schedule of events
The NDIA will contact people currently receiving State Government support directly to confirm their eligibility and gain consent for scheme access.
People can seek to test their eligibility for the scheme through contacting the 1800 and requesting an ARF from 1 May It is important to note that a capped number of new participants (as per the Bilateral Agreement) will enter the scheme each month.

23. Contact us:
Phone: Bendigo: 384 Hargreaves Street Echuca: 205 Hare Street Maryborough: 88 Burke Street Kyneton: 89E Piper Street

24. Questions?