info E-Newsletter January 2013 Volume 4, Number 1 Positions Vacant Grants General Updates New Central Coast Disability Network CCDN has a FREE Stair Lift available for any client/organization that wants to take it. Just check that we do, in fact, still have it in the garage before you advertise it. New Coastwide Therapy Services Coastwide Therapy Services will have clinic in Toukley from February. Coastwide Therapy Services also have clinics in Umina and Berkeley Vale. All referrals, for all clinics will continue to be taken at the same number 4388 1110. New Central Coast Community Women s Health Centre This year Central Coast Community Women s Health Centre will be offering a range of FREE courses and workshops. For more information on these please call Sally Jope - 4353 0093 or Bianca or Sophie at Child and Family Services on 4352 5252. New Centacare Centacare s Gosford and Wyong Family Centres have moved to a new centre at Woongarrah. Their new address is: Centacare Broken Bay, GP Super Clinic 3 Mary MacKillop Drive, Woongarrah. 2259 PO Box 213, Wyong 2259 1
Phone: 4356 2600 Fax: 4356 2699 General email warnervalefc@dbb.org.au The change in location of the centre will not affect clients of their Ageing & Disability Services as these services are community based. New Peninsula Community Centre It's that time of the year again when we begin to plan our next Peninsula Links Day. Last year's event was another huge success with many people from our community being assisted with services that can help them in their day to day lives. The next Links day will be on Thursday 9th May 2013 at the Peninsula Community Centre and they would love to have you attend again to show case your services. Please contact us for an Expression of Interest (EOI) form to complete if you will be attending on the day. These need to be submitted by 25 th January 2013. For further information please call Sharon Hughes 4379 8100 New Carers NSW Carers NSW is creating a list of support groups for carers of people with a disability that are currently running across NSW. This will help in planning for a new support group program they are developing. Carers NSW would like to know about support groups that run for carers of people and/or children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. To inform Carers NSW about carer support groups please email Clint Berry, Carer Support groups Program Coordinator at clintb@carernsw.org.au or phone: 9280 4744 with the carer support group name, contact details, meeting time, type of group and anything of interest such as whether they are interested in receiving free education, training, promotion on our website and assistance. New Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Gina Whelan is in the new role of Development Officer for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. Did you know that Guide Dogs NSW/ACT provide FREE services to people with any level of vision impairment that do not involve Dogs? People do not need to be registered blind to access our services. Below is a very brief description of what we do: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT provide a range of client focused free services which may include, training people from any age, 0-100+, with impaired vision or blind to move around safely 2
using canes, canines and electronic aids to improve their mobility and thus independence. Whether it s moving around safely outside crossing roads or moving safely within a residential setting Guide Dogs services can provide free training and equipment. Guide Dogs services also offer neurological vision impairment training programs for people who have acquired brain injuries such as strokes. We also follow up on clients to check how they are progressing, and with their consent, we can also send a report to the person who referred. Instructors come to the clients home, place of work, hospital or school to train and there is no time limitations. Instructors are also happy to visit your organization to offer a presentation of services so your staff are aware of what is available to anyone with vision impairment, or just general information on how best to assist someone with a vision impairment, along with information sessions on eye conditions and their implications. Phone the office on 9412 9300 to request services. People do not need a medical referral. Guide Dogs is located at 2-4 Thomas Street, Chatswood NSW 2067 (PO Box 1965, North Sydney NSW 2059) our services cover the whole of NSW and ACT. Web: www.guidedogs.com.au. Below I have included a link to our website online brochures outlining our services. Please feel free to contact me to speak further or to arrange a meeting to discuss how we can help you and the vision impaired community not miss out on vital free services. Please pass on this message to your colleagues and other departments and if possible, link me into any email groups that you feel would benefit from the many free Guide Dogs NSW/ACT services for the vision impaired. Thank you in advance for your time. Gina Whelan 0409 153 504 New Commonwealth and NSW reach agreement on NDIS funding The Commonwealth and NSW governments have agreed on the funding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme when it is fully implemented in NSW in 2018-2019. The Commonwealth will fund 51.4% of the total cost of the Scheme in NSW and the NSW Government will fund the remaining 48.6%. It is estimated that, when fully implemented, the Scheme will provide support to 140,000 people in NSW. For more information please contact Ken Baker, Chief Executive, NDS National 02 6283 3200 or email ken.baker@nds.org.au New Community Transport Wyong Community Transport Wyong will be merging with the Community Transport Service in Gosford to form a new organisation on 1 st February 2013. Phone numbers and method of operation will be unchanged. The new organization details will be: 3
New Name: Community Transport Central Coast Limited Postal Address: PO Box 6171, Gorokan NSW 2263 (please forward invoices to this address) Office Address: Unit G-J, 7 Donaldson Street, Wyong 2259 For more information contact David Murray Operations Manager on 4355 4588 or 0408446598. Community Transport Wyong will be closed from Friday, 21 st December 2012 and return on Monday 7 th January 2013. ET Australia Australia Secondary College Did you know that a... Brand New Year 9 and Year 10 Special Assistance High School Opening in the Gosford CBD in January 2013 ET Australia, has obtained NSW Board of Studies Registration to run an independent community based Year 9 and Year 10 High School. ET Australia Secondary College (ETASC) is a new Independent Special Assistance High School. This alternative school environment will cater for up to 60 students, some who have experienced difficulties at other schools. This school seeks to creatively and individually reengage students in a learning environment that focuses on literacy, numeracy, fostering independence and teaching students a work ethic. This independent school will offer a very different learning environment to mainstream schooling as it is located in a commercial building in the centre of the Gosford CBD. ETASC will deliver NSW Board of Studies approved Year 9 and 10 school curriculum. Students will study Mathematics, English, Science, History, Geography and PDHPE from the NSW curriculum: -. Other co-curricular learning activities will also be available. Prospective students and parents who are interested in this exciting new school model can find out more about the school by visiting ET Australia s website or contacting ET Australia on 4323 1233. Home Energy Saver Scheme Gosford City Community and Information Service with support from the Australian Government, is helping people take action to reduce personal household energy consumption. The Home Energy Saver Scheme is a free service and aims to provide information about easy and affordable ways to use less energy at home, ensure you are receiving the right rebates and assistance for your bill and help you understand the energy market and your bills. 4
The Home Energy Saver Scheme can also provide support, budgeting assistance, information and referral to community service organisations including the Gosford City No Interest Loan Scheme to upgrade to energy efficient appliances which can save even more! Heating and cooling uses the most energy, so before turning on the air conditioner this summer first consider other options such as using fans to circulate air, opening windows, having cool showers, closing curtains and shading sunny windows. To access this service please call Gosford/Narara Neighbourhood Centre on 4329 4477 or the National Helpline on 1800 007 001. Contact: Carly Robinson - Home Energy Saver Scheme Coordinator Gosford City Community and Information Service Gosford/Narara Neighbourhood Centre - Pandala Road Narara Mail: PO Box 9047 Wyoming Email: hess@gnnc.com.au Phone: (02) 4329 4477 Mobile: 0429 012 301 2013 Central Coast Volunteer Expo Volunteering Central Coast will be holding their annual Volunteer Expo at Niagara Park Community Centre during National Volunteer Week in 2013. The date will be: Wednesday 15 th May 2013. Expressions of Interest to be on the planning committee can be sent to Liz Mckay. Please contact Liz on 4329 7122 or Recruit@votc.org.au. Upcoming Events Kariong Community Fun Festival The Kariong Community Fun Fest is holding its second annual Festival in the scenic hills of Kariong on Festival Drive Somersby. When: Sunday 17 th March 2013 Where: Kariong Community Festival, 10 Langford Drive, Kariong Time: 9am 3pm For more information please contact Fiona Simpson 4340 1724 or 0421 407 0356 5
Conferences/Training/Expos New Working with Men This workshop explores key skills for working effectively with men s responses to conflict situations. It explores practical ways workers can respond when working with men who experience high levels of conflict or use violence in family relationships. Responses are powerful and active ways to work with men and change. When: Friday 8 th March 2013 Time: 9am 3.30pm Where: Kariong Neighbourhood Centre, 10 Langford Drive, Kariong Cost: Early bird booking $165.00 before 24 th January or after $220.00. Morning tea and lunch provided. To register go to: http://groupworksholutions.com.au New Health Health is holding a free seminar to help Carer s know more information on Carer benefits. The presenter will be Ann Lines Financial Information Services Officer with Centrelink. The session will include information on: Understanding Carers Payment & Carers Allowance Eligibility and how to seek review Carers Payment vs Age Pension When: 23 rd January or 13 th February 2013 Time: 10am 12 noon Where: Carer Retreat & Information 21 Beane Street (off Racecourse Road), Gosford near Gosford Hosptial RSVP essential: on 4320 5556 New Health Health is holding a free seminar for Carer s if they are considering Aged Care. The presenter will be Ann Lines Financial Information Services Officer with Centrelink and the session will include information on: Understanding Aged Care Fees and Charges The processes involved with Residential Aged Care Assessments When: 30 th January and 20 th February 2013 Time: 10am 12 noon Where: Carer Retreat & Information 21 Beane Street (off Racecourse Road), Gosford near Gosford Hosptial 6
RSVP essential: on 4320 5556 New Health Health is holding a free seminar for Carer s to learn more about balancing the books: The presenter will be Ann Lines Financial Information Services Officer with Centrelink and the session will include information on Income and Assets review Options with your home when considering aged care Suggestions to help carers with their finances When: 6 th February or 27 th February 2013 Time: 10am 12 noon Where: Carer Retreat & Information 21 Beane Street (off Racecourse Road), Gosford near Gosford Hosptial RSVP essential: on 4320 5556 New Family Advocacy Family Advocacy is holding a workshop for families who are planning for life after school for students with developmental disability. The workshop is about preparing and planning for when a student with disability, who will need ongoing support, leaves school. It is suitable for families of students with disability who are approaching the end of high school. When: 28 th March 2013 Time: 9am registration 9.30am 2.30pm Workshop For more information please contact Family Advocacy 1800 620 588 or visit their website www.family-advoacy.com New Carers NSW Carers NSW 2013 is now open for registrations for their Biennial Conference: Caring, Working, Living. This conference is to share strategies, research and innovative approaches for health professionals, disability and other service providers, government representatives and employers working with carers. The themes are: Caring: increasing opportunities for carers to exercise informed choices and to negotiate the shifting policy landscape Working: achieving workplace arrangements that work for working carers Living: sustaining carers own health and wellbeing in a caring context. When: Thursday 14 th and 15 th March 2013 7
Where: Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach Cost: Early bird registration $320 (Early bird registration closes 31 st December 2012) Full registration: $370 For more information call Conference Coordinator at Carers NSW on 02 9280 4744 or email: conference@carersnsw.org.au Benevolent Society The Benevolent Society is running some Learning & Development Workshops. Special Event Tree of Life The Tree of Life is a hopeful and inspiring approach to working with children who have experienced hard times. This approach enables children to speak about their lives in ways that make them stronger. It involves children drawing their own tree of life in which they get to speak of their roots (where they come from), their skills and knowledge, their hopes and dreams, as well as the special people in their lives. The Tree of Life enables children to speak about their lives in ways that are not retraumatising. When: Wednesday 27 th March 2013 Where: Shelley Beach Golf Club Time: 9am 3.30pm Cost: $56.00 For more information about any of these courses please call Megan Cain-Bugeia, Aboriginal Program Co-ordinator 4394 2500 or email: meganc@bensoc.org.au Interagency Matters Disability Interagency Meeting Next Disability Interagency Meetings will be held on: 13 th February 2013 8 th May 2013 14 th August 2013 13 th November 2013 Erina Centre (next to Erina Library) Erina Fair Room Space 3 Have you wanted to be informed about anything special? Have you wished the Disability Interagency Meeting covered a certain topic? Have you any ideas on how to improve the Disability Interagency? If so please inform CCDN on info@ccdn.com.au 8