How To Help Disabled People

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1 Disability Support Services e-newsletter No. 46 August 2012 ISSN From Phil Wysocki Acting Group Manager, Disability Support Services As Acting Group Manager, the last three months have been a great opportunity to meet and talk with people who I would not normally come into contact with. It has given me a much wider perspective of the complexities of Disability Support Services and what you, as disability providers, deal with on a daily basis. Over the last few months, DSS has been involved in reviewing and focusing on contracting processes, and the timely return of contracts. I would like to particularly thank providers for returning their signed contracts before the commencement date of contracts. Last year we had more than 300 unsigned contracts at the time of their commencement, which then became retrospective. This year there wasn t a single one, which is a fantastic result for us and the sector. We also now have a Programme Leader for the New Model programme of work. Her appointment is very timely as the demonstration of the New Model for Supporting Disabled People continues to gain momentum. Thanks for your help and support during my short time in this role, and I am sure you will join me in wishing the new Group Manager all the best. From Jill Lane Director, National Services Purchasing I am pleased to welcome Toni Atkinson who started in the role of Group Manager, Disability Support Services, on 8 August. Toni has managed a range of operational roles within health services, including older people, rehabilitation, allied health, mental health and community nursing services. Toni is looking forward to her new challenge and is keen to meet the broader disability community once she settles in. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Wysocki for his excellent work as the Acting Group Manager and for his ongoing support and assistance to Toni and the disability group, as she steps into her new role.

2 Our people Disability Support Services updates Catherine Bennett joined the DSS Team on 6 August, taking up the role of Programme Leader for the New Model for Supporting Disabled People Programme. Most recently Catherine held the roles of Business Improvement Management and Project Manager with HealthcareNZ and brings strong project and relationship management skills to her new role. Tony Blackett joins the Family and Community Services team as Development Manager, Behaviour Support and Respite. Tony joins us from the NGO sector where he has held senior roles in environmental, international development and disability-related organisations. Most recently Tony was Deputy Chief Executive at Deaf Aotearoa. In his role with the Deaf community Tony worked in support of the Deaf community goals of access awareness and advancement. Tony has been a member of the New Model National Reference Group where he advocated the issues of service access from the perspective of the Deaf community. Sarah Hamlin who has been a key member of the Service Access Team Environmental Support Services started 12 months parental leave on 30 July. Recruitment for this position is under way. DSS News Equipment and Modification Services Equipment and Modification Services waiting times Demand for Equipment and Modification Services (EMS) continues to exceed the available budget meaning many people are on a waiting list for their equipment and modifications to be provided. Work is under way to improve the fairness and transparency of the application process, including the prioritisation for EMS. Impact on Life Questionnaire Clare Kirk, the project manager for this work, is talking with consumers, through members of the Consumer Consortium and other consumer groups about the wording of the Impact on Life Questionnaire. This questionnaire, comprising five questions, will be completed by the disabled person and/or their family, whānau or support person as part of the application process with an EMS Assessor. EMS prioritisation tool Clare is also setting up key groups whose members will advise different aspects of the project as it progresses. A steering group has been established to govern the project. This group includes a representative from one of the district health board sites, which trialled the prioritisation tool and two experienced EMS Assessors (an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. Both were nominated by their respective professional bodies. Following the completion of the prioritisation tool trial last year, an independent evaluation was undertaken by Synergia Limited. If you are interested in learning more about the outcome of its trial, a summary is available on the Ministry s website and search for Summary of the Evaluation of the EMS Prioritisation Tool. Contact: Sue Primrose, Tel (04)

3 Local Area Coordination One year on Ruth Gerzon from Inclusion Aotearoa is supporting the Ministry in the implementation of the New Model for Supporting Disabled People programme in the Western Bay of Plenty. In the following article, Ruth provides some background to the development of Local Area Coordination and talks to Supervisor, Debbie Davidson about her first year since Local Area Coordination was launched. Local Area Coordination just three words but they signal a new way of supporting disabled people. Nearly everyone in the disability sector will become familiar with these words and the concepts behind them over the next few years. Local Area Coordination had its genesis in rural areas in Western Australia in Since then it has been embraced in other parts of Australia and the UK, places where people are searching for better ways to support disabled people to have good/everyday lives in their communities. to access the outdoors again and use his skills and talents in fishing to support others. Debbie Davidson, Local Area Coordination Supervisor recalls that at first some families would start by asking how they could get more paid support and services. She is encouraged that, with plenty of time for reflection and many cups of tea they have begun to look at the bigger picture what is needed to have a truly good life and to consider communitybased options for their future. Debbie has long experience in the sector doing similar work, and now also supervises the three other coordinators who have been employed in the Western Bay of Plenty Demonstration project. It s great to have the time to get to know disabled people and their families really well, to develop a relationship at a pace that suits them, says Debbie. In this current role I am able to be intuitive, not prescriptive, and intuition only comes when you know people well, you have taken and have the time to build Continued on page 4 Local Area Coordinators start by asking disabled people and families/whānau, What is a good/everyday life for you? They then support people to plan and use their strengths to contribute to their communities, working alongside people to nurture local solutions and keep families strong. They also help people access services where needed, but they do not see services as the only answer. Since the launch, Local Area Coordinators have set up community bases and spent time building relationships with disabled people and families, enabling them to support people to take up voluntary work, sell crafts at market days and join adult education classes. One disabled person once described by the services as difficult is now much calmer and happier. He had come to the city from an environment of bush and streams and has now been helped Kerrie Thornton, LAC Administrator (second from left) and Debbie Davidson, LAC supervisor, (third from left) chat to some of their neighbours near their Katikati office. 3

4 Local Area Coordination One year on Continues from page 3 a relationship, with both disabled people, their family/whānau and the local community a relationship that is based on integrity, trust and honesty. With this in mind, you are able to work alongside disabled people and families at their pace, taking direction from them, and feel privileged to be walking their journey with them with their communities by their side. The relationship building extends to communities. Debbie works in her own community and has widened her networks with this role. She says, sometimes I still have to ask people who ask others, and maybe three or four connections are made, but eventually the answer appears. I also like living and working in this Katikati community. People know I am local and that gives more depth to the relationship. To find out more visit the Local Area Coordinators website: Giving feedback Feedback is a vital source of information about what disability support providers do well, and what can be improved. Most feedback around issues can be made verbally to providers, and some issues are easily resolved this way. However, some issues are not easily resolved and we encourage you to put these in writing to the provider. This gives the provider an opportunity to investigate the issue(s) raised, and take any necessary actions to address them. The provider should then inform you of what actions have been taken, and let you know of the outcomes. It is important to remember all providers are required to have a robust, fair and responsive process in place to deal with issues. Providers also need to create a safe environment without fear of adverse reaction for the person, service user or family/whānau member raising the issue. It is just as important to give feedback on what you like about a service, to your disability support provider, so they continue to do those things well. You can access more information about giving feedback on the Ministry s website at disability-services/contact-disability-supportservices Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health is also not responsible for the reliability of material provided by other sources, including links to other websites. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this newsletter, the Ministry of Health is not responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies or changes that may have taken place after publication. 4

5 Whāia Te Ao Mārama The Māori Disability Action Plan called Whāia Te Ao Mārama, was launched on Thursday 2 August at Wainuiomata Marae in Wellington. In attendance was Minister Tariana Turia who expressed her support for the development of the plan and acknowledged the contribution made by Māori disability leaders, and the people who participated in the consultation process. Our aim with Whāia Te Ao Mārama is to support Māori disabled to define what a good life is for them and then plan to achieve those goals through enlightened services and supported whānau. In the plan, Māori disabled have been clear about what makes a positive difference to their lives including: every opportunity to have leadership, choice and control over their lives (te rangatira) to be supported as both Māori and as disabled to thrive, flourish, and live the life they want to be able to participate in te ao Māori to have their whanau valued as the primary support system for Māori disabled to be connected to natural support networks, including Māori and disability communities a holistic approach to their disability that also values the beneficial effects of Māori cultural views and practices on spiritual, mental, physical, emotional and whānau wellbeing. Whāia Te Ao Mārama is available at and hard copies will be available to order from the website from the end of August. Publication of easy-toread and audio versions will be available from September. Guests arriving at Wainuiomata Marae. 5

6 Sector news Making a Difference funding Making a Difference funding is available for community initiatives, which enhance participation and belonging for disabled people. The fund is part of the think differently campaign by Family and Community Services. The campaign aims to change attitudes and behaviours towards disabled people, living in our communities. Applications to the third round of the fund close on 3 September. An Upper Hutt City Council project funded earlier, shows how effective community efforts can be. Josi Wilson, Campaign Advisor says, The council was given a grant to develop a training resource for staff to improve customer services for disabled people. Not only is the training achieving its goal, but the Council is being seen as a disability friendly workplace. Community businesses have been inspired to step forward and make their organisations more accessible environments for their customers. Upper Hutt City Council is a great example of how one idea can influence a culture shift over time. Most New Zealanders would agree that disabled people should be able to participate in their communities on an equal basis with others, but might not know how they can contribute. The fund is a way for all of us to get involved, Josi said. To find out more and download the application form go to Contact Disability Support Services disability@moh.govt.nz Phone: 0800 DSD MOH ( ) Web: If you do not wish to receive any further updates, please send an to disability@moh.govt.nz with unsubscribe to newsletter in the subject line. To be added to the list, send an to: disability@moh.govt.nz requesting that your name be added to our mailing list. 6

7 Recent Disability Events Individualised funding conference The first Individualised Funding (IF) and Self Directed Services Conference was held late June in Hamilton. The Opportunities, Challenges and Cautions conference was organised by Standards Plus and explored the impact of IF to the life of people with disabilities and their families, both internationally and locally. Over 300 people attended and heard presentations from disability funders, providers, and people using self-directed support mechanisms. International speakers included Andrew Tyson, a former employee of In Control, which pioneered self-directed support and personal budgets in the United Kingdom (UK). The attendees also heard from John Waters, an independent consultant who helped local authorities in the UK understand and solve key systems challenges, when adopting self-directed support. The conference provided a wealth of information for future planning and improving the current Individualised Funding Scheme. The conference also enabled the Ministry of Health to hear from the sector to exchange information and experiences to aid future policy development and planning. Upcoming Disability Events NZVASS National Conference The New Zealand Federation of Vocational and Support Services (NZVASS) National Conference will be held in Nelson from 31 October to 1 November The conference theme is People, Place, Belonging. For more information, visit: or tess@nzvass.org.nz Disability Support Services Consumer Consortium The next Consumer Consortium meeting is scheduled for October 2012, in Wellington. International Initiative for Disability Leadership Exchange and Network Meeting Standards Plus is preparing to host the International Initiative for Disability Leadership Exchange and Network Meeting in the week of 4 March, For more information, visit: Lorna Sullivan, Chief Executive for Standards Plus is arranging disability exchanges, which are listed on the website. This will be the first time this international initiative has been hosted in New Zealand. 7

8 Disability Support Services Provider Forums DSS proposes to hold the annual Provider Forums as below. DSS welcomes suggestions from providers for topics that they would like to be covered in the forum agenda. Please your suggestions to by 30 September City Day Date Time Venue Auckland Thursday 1 November 9 am 4.30 pm Hamilton Friday 2 November 9 am 4.30 pm Palmerston North Thursday 8 November 9 am 4.30 pm Wellington Friday 9 November 9 am 4.30 pm Christchurch Wednesday 14 November 9 am 4.30 pm Dunedin Friday 16 November 9 am 4.30 pm DSS Project Updates The New Model for Supporting Disabled People August 2012 marks one year since the demonstration of Local Area Coordination (LAC) was launched in the Western Bay of Plenty by the Minister of Health. It has been a very busy and productive year for the LACs. Supporting the demonstration of LAC in the Bay of Plenty has been Ruth Gerzon and Laurence Chok from Inclusion Aotearoa Ltd. It is timely to look at how the LACs have found this first year, which Ruth has written about (earlier on in the newsletter). The LAC Supervisor Debbie Davidson and three other LACs have all made huge strides in getting to know their communities and are very passionate about making a difference for disabled people and their families. Members of the New Model Demonstration Local Working Group and National Reference Group, and the DSS Consumer Consortium have also contributed hugely to the co-development of both Local Area Coordination and the other aspects of the New Model through active participation and valuable feedback and comment into Venues will be confirmed later and the schedule will be posted on the Ministry of Health website the design work. Notes from the New Model Demonstration Local Working Group and National Reference Group meetings can be found on Inclusion Aotearoa s website The next stage of the demonstration in the Western Bay of Plenty will include the introduction of an Enhanced version of Individualised Funding which is planned to commence gradually, starting in October Planning is also underway on how to introduce additional LACs into the Eastern Bay of Plenty region later this year. We have started to work with key stakeholders in the disability sector in looking at the current functions and roles in disability support services and those that are being developed within the New Model. Some good discussions are helping to shape up how those functions and roles can best support disabled people and their families in the future. Contact: Terry Hibbert, Programme Leader Tel: (03) or John Wilkinson, Policy Leader Tel: (04)

9 Demonstration of Choice in Community Living Choice in Community Living is being demonstrated in the Auckland and Waikato regions, as part of the New Model for Supporting Disabled People. The objective of Choice in Community Living is to support disabled people, who might otherwise need residential services, to plan for and build the life that is set out in their personal plan, where that the plan allows them to live in a home they rent, lease or own in their own right. If you, or a family member, are interested in knowing more about the demonstration and/or participating in Choice in Community Living, then please contact your local Needs Assessment Service Coordinator representative to register your interest. Waikato: Fern Ryan, Choice in Community Living Coordinator, Disability Support Link phone: (07) or fern.ryan@waikatodhb.health.nz Auckland: Elizabeth Tohu, Choice in Community Living Coordinator, Taikura Trust phone: (09) or elizabeth.tohu@taikura.org.nz Please note Choice in Community Living is targeted on a specific segment of the population and other initiatives may be better suited to your circumstances. Gordon Boxall has been contracted by the Ministry of Health to support the implementation of Choice in Community Living. If you have questions about the project you can contact Gordon Boxhill on phone: or gordon@boxallconsultants.com The Local Working Group A Local Working Group will be established by Gordon to oversee this work from a range of perspectives including disabled persons, families, providers, unions etc. and this will be along similar lines to the one established in Western Bay of Plenty with links to local and national representative bodies. The Local Working Group will ensure any issues that need to be resolved, along with any lessons can be addressed openly, consistently, in a timely and coordinated manner. The project will also use the National Reference Group for the New Model for Supporting Disabled People to gain a national perspective on issues. Who will provide Choice in Community Living? We are working through 26 registrations of interest to select potential providers of Choice in Community Living. This process is nearly complete and we are negotiating with a number of organisations with a view to having signed contracts in place by the end of August. We hope to announce the successful providers by late August or early September. 9

10 Workforce development Work Plan 2011/12 Workforce Reference Group The Workforce Reference Group is a cross sector representative group supporting the implementation of the workforce action plan. A three year report will be developed by the reference group outlining the progress so far on the Workforce Action Plan 2009/14. This will be made available on the Ministry website at the end of August. Graduate Diploma in Education (Disability Specialisation) The Ministry is funding the delivery of the diploma programme with The University of Auckland until December Initiated in 2009 as a demonstration, the programme aims to upskill and develop frontline workers working in needs assessment service coordination (NASC) organisations. Contract negotiations are under way to address the recommendations outlined in the recent evaluation report of the diploma. Disability Workforce Training Grants Contract The Ministry is extending the National Training Coordination contract with Te Pou from January 2013 to December Te Pou administers workforce development grants for support workers working in Ministry funded disability support services. These grants support workers to access training and development opportunities. Contact: Feala Afoa, Tel: (09) Faiva Ora National Pasifika Disability Plan Faiva Ora Annual Work Plan 2012/13 Le Va and the Ministry are in the process of finalising the annual work plan, outlining activities and deliverables Le Va leads in implementing actions of Faiva Ora. Engaging Pasifika Pacific disability cultural training programme Cultural training programme pilot workshops have been completed in Hamilton and Wellington. Currently, the programme is being refined using lessons from the pilots and is due to be delivered in the Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton regions. A schedule of training dates in these regions are due to be confirmed soon with Le Va, and will communicated to support services. Contact: Feala Afoa, Tel: (09)

11 Sleepovers Progress in the Sleepover Settlement area is steady. Almost half of registered eligible providers have submitted draft settlements to the Ministry for review, and almost half of that figure have submitted financial claims. Eight provider settlements are being progressed through the approvals process for an Order in Council. The Ministry of Health is working closely with several organisations to ensure they are in the next Order in Council, and are joined to the Sleepover Wages (Settlement) Act. All information, including FAQs and templates, can be found on the Ministry of Health and NZ Disability Support Network websites at: and Contact: Christy Richards, Tel: (03)