Early Intervention Services for Children with Disability Program

Application Information for the Early Intervention Services for Children with Disability Program - National Rural and Remote Support Services Part C: Application Information Early Intervention Services for Children with Disability Program National Rural and Program Guidelines Suite Page 1 of 11

Preface The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA or the Department) has a suite of documents (the Program Guideline Suite) which provide information relating to the program. They provide the key starting point for parties considering whether to participate in the program and form the basis for the business relationship between FaHCSIA and the funding recipient. They are: - Part A: Program Guidelines which provides an overview of Program and the Activities relating to the program; - Part B: Information for Applicants which provides information on the Application, Assessment, Selection and Complaints processes; Financial and Funding Agreement arrangements. - Part C: Application Information provides specific information on the Activity, Selection Criteria, Performance Management and Reporting. This part should be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions of the Standard Funding Agreement. - The Application Form which is completed by applicants applying for funding during a selection process. FaHCSIA reserves the right to amend these documents from time to time by whatever means it may determine in its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments. Program Guidelines Suite Page 2 of 11

Table of Contents PREFACE... 2 1 PROGRAM OVERVIEW... 4 1.1 PROGRAM OUTCOMES... 4 1.2 OBJECTIVES... 4 2 ACTIVITY OVERVIEW... 5 2.1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES... 6 2.2 SERVICE PROVIDER ELIGIBILITY... 6 2.3 PARTICIPANTS/CLIENTS/RECIPIENTS/TARGET GROUP... 6 2.4 FUNDING FOR THE ACTIVITY... 6 2.5 ELIGIBLE AND IN-ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES... 7 2.6 ACTIVITY LINKS AND WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND SERVICES... 7 2.7 ACTIVITY PERFORMANCE AND REPORTING... 7 2.8 DATA... 8 3 APPLICATION PROCESS... 9 3.1 OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS... 9 3.2 SELECTION CRITERIA... 9 3.3 PROPOSED PROJECT AND DELIVERABLES... 9 3.4 VALUE FOR MONEY... 10 3.5 ORGANISATION EXPERIENCE... 10 3.6 HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION... 10 3.7 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DURING THE APPLICATION PERIOD... 10 3.8 QUESTIONS AFTER THE APPLICATION PERIOD... 10 3.9 CLOSING DATE AND TIME... 10 3.10 APPLICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT... 10 3.11 ANNOUNCEMENT STRATEGY... 11 4 CONTACT INFORMATION... 11 Program Guidelines Suite Page 3 of 11

1 Program Overview Between October 2008 and June 2012 the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) Package, the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres (ASELCCs) and the Better Start for Children with Disability Initiative (from July 2011) were activities under the Program 5.4 - Services and Support for People with Disability. From July 2012 these initiatives will be brought together to form the Program 5.7 - Early Intervention Services for Children with Disability. 1.1 Program Outcomes FaHCSIA s Outcome 5 is an adequate standard of living, improved capacity to participate economically and socially and manage life-transitions for people with disability and/or mental illness and carers through payments, concessions, support and care services. Service Delivery Outcomes for the Early Intervention Services for Children with Disability Program include: To provide support for eligible children aged zero to six years access to funding for early intervention services. Improved strategies and skills for parents of children with a disability. To provide support for eligible children up to 15 years of age access to Medicare rebates for prescribed items. To complement existing state and territory government services and help reduce the financial burden faced by families accessing early intervention services for children with these disabilities. All Activities will aim to increase access to and support for families, carers and children from Indigenous, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as rural and remote areas. 1.2 Objectives The Early Intervention Services for Children with Disability Program aims to provide access to early intervention services and support for children with disability, their parents, carers and families to help eligible children achieve their potential. The objectives of the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package component are: Early Intervention services to provide access to early intervention services for eligible children to assist them to achieve their potential. Education and support for parents carers and families- to provide information and support to parents, carers and families to help them enable eligible children with disability to achieve their potential. Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres to provide early learning programs and specific support to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a long day care setting. The objectives for the Better Start for Children with Disability component are: Early Intervention services to provide access to early intervention services for eligible children to assist them to achieve their potential. Education and support for parents carers and families- to provide information and support to parents, carers and families to help them enable eligible children with disability to achieve their potential. Program Guidelines Suite Page 4 of 11

2 Activity Overview The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs (the Department) is committed to helping children with disability and their carers. The Autism and Early Intervention Branch, Disability and Carers Group, manage the Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) initiative and the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package. More information on Better Start and the HCWA package are contained in Part C Application Information. The purpose of this activity is to increase coverage in rural and remote locations by offering support to existing and potential Early Intervention Service Provider Panel members in rural and remote areas. This activity seeks to help Early Intervention Panel Members manage the challenges faced in delivering services in rural and remote areas, including professional isolation, lack of professional services such as training and recruitment, and the high cost of service delivery on sole practitioners. The use of technology can reduce some of these barriers, providing shared resources, training, mentoring, communication channels such as VOIP and online forums for professionals. In addition this activity will offer the opportunity to conduct evidence based research on models of service delivery and to map coverage of services in rural and remote areas and analyse gaps in services. Service delivery models could include options that currently restrict a panel members ability to offer services in rural areas such as recruitment methodologies and service access. Program Guidelines Suite Page 5 of 11

2.1 Aims and objectives The objectives are to increase service coverage in rural and remote locations by: reducing professional isolation by providing mentoring and supervision to panel members in rural and remote areas; conducting evidence based research on models of service delivery that are effective in rural and remote locations; working with Carers Australia and Autism Associations to map service coverage and identify service coverage gaps; encouraging the adoption of implementation strategies to address service coverage gaps such as improved recruitment methodologies and exploring new ways to access services through the use of technology e.g. VOIP; and promoting the National Rural and to relevant stakeholders. 2.2 Service Provider eligibility The following entity types are eligible to apply for funding for this activity: a) Incorporated Associations (incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have 'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc' in their legal name); b) Incorporated Cooperatives (also incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have "Cooperative' in their legal name); c) Companies (incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 may be not-for-profit or for-profit proprietary company (limited by shares or by guarantee) or public companies); d) Aboriginal Corporations (incorporated under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2006); e) Organisations established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or State/Territory legislation (many public benevolent institutions, churches, universities, unions etc.); f) Partnerships; g) Trustees on behalf of a Trust; and h) State, Territory and Local Governments. 2.3 Participants/clients/recipients/target group The target group is existing and potential Early Intervention Service Provider Panel members. 2.4 Funding for the activity Under the Early Intervention education and support funding, $450,000 over three years (from 2012-13) has been allocated for the development and maintenance of national rural and remote support services, to assist Better Start and HCWA Early Intervention Service Provider Panel members to deliver services to rural and remote areas. The preferred provider will be invited to enter into a Funding Agreement with FaHCSIA, following the selection process for this activity. Program Guidelines Suite Page 6 of 11

2.5 Eligible and in-eligible activities Funding is provided to contribute towards the operational costs of the Funding Recipient in relation to the provision of the Program. Funding may be used for the following items, providing they are in direct relation to the implementation and/or management of the Program: staff salaries and on-costs ( including staff training and professional development); materials and IT equipment; operating expenses, such as office materials, utilities, insurances, telephones, travel, book keeping, auditing, etc; travel expenses for service delivery in rural and remote areas (if applicable) and attendance of meetings with FaHCSIA as advised; expenses involved in conducting formal and informal evaluations; and delivery of the program to standards as indicated in these guidelines. Funding may not be used for: costs that are not directly and specifically related to the program; overseas travel; relocation costs; and retrospective costs. 2.6 Activity links and working with other agencies and services FaHCSIA has established a Registration and Information Service (RIS) which is the first point of contact for parents and carers whose child or children may be eligible for Better Start. The role of the RIS is to confirm a child s eligibility, including confirming evidence of diagnosis and issuing a letter of introduction. The HCWA Package funds Autism Advisors in each state and territory to assist families and carers of children diagnosed with ASD. Autism Advisors provide a link between clinical diagnosis and access to early intervention and support services. Both of these services may complement the establishment of the National Rural and Remote Support Services. 2.7 Activity performance and reporting FaHCSIA may undertake or commission a review or evaluation of the program/activities. Evaluation strategies will incorporate an assessment of improved service coverage in rural and remote areas and increased access to early intervention services in rural and remote areas for eligible children. The Rural and Provider s performance will be monitored through: quarterly status reports; and regular meetings and/or other communication as required. Program Guidelines Suite Page 7 of 11

Part C: Application Information for the Early Intervention Services for Children with Disability Program - National Rural and The status report should include: cost of providing services; barriers to service delivery; and performance against the purpose and planned objectives of this activity. Specifically; consideration will be given to the increase of service delivery in rural and remote areas and any strategies implemented to address service gaps. The provider must provide reports to FaHCSIA within 10 working days of the completion of the September, December, March and June Quarters. Feedback to service providers will be provided regularly and also when requested. 2.8 Data Evaluation strategies will incorporate an assessment of improved service coverage in rural and remote areas for eligible children. FaHCSIA will use data from multiple sources for program reporting. Reporting may be based on data collected through client surveys, FaHCSIA Online Funding Management System (FOFMS) and a review or evaluation process. Program Guidelines Suite Page 8 of 11

3 Application Process 3.1 Overview of the Application Process The process will be a direct selection process. A direct selection process is where an approach is made directly to an existing, high performing provider to expand their current service delivery activities or deliver new services. It involves an assessment of a provider s current performance and capacity to deliver an expanded service or capability to deliver a new service through use of selection criteria. The assessment of the provider s application will be undertaken by an Assessment Panel, comprised of staff from the Autism and Early Intervention Branch, FAHCSIA. Each Assessment Panel member will be required to complete a Conflict of Interest Form. The preferred provider will then be invited to enter into a Funding Agreement with the Department. FaHCSIA uses standard Funding Agreements. Funding will only be provided in accordance with an executed funding agreement. The terms and conditions of FaHCSIA funding agreements cannot be changed. The Funding Agreement will contain the entire agreement between the parties. There is no binding agreement on any parties until the Funding Agreement is agreed to and signed by the Delegate and the applicant s Authorised Representative. Copies of the Terms and Conditions Standard Funding Agreement will be included with the documents provided during selection processes. Following the completion of the Funding Agreement, a notification of the granting decision will be placed on the FaHCSIA website. 3.2 Selection Criteria All criteria will be equally weighted. The response to each criterion must not exceed 500 words. 3.3 Proposed project and deliverables Describe your proposed service and how this will be made operational to achieve positive objectives for rural and remote panel members within the budget of $150,000 each year for three years beginning in 2012-13. Please include in your response a description of how you propose to deliver an increase in service coverage in rural and remote locations. This objective includes: reducing professional isolation through mentoring and supervision to panel members; conducting evidence based research on models of service delivery that are effective in rural and remote locations; working with Carers Australia to map service coverage and identify service coverage gaps; encouraging the implementation of strategies to address service coverage gaps such as improved recruitment methodologies and exploring new ways to access services through the use of technology; and promoting National Rural and to relevant stakeholders. Program Guidelines Suite Page 9 of 11

3.4 Value for money Describe how the proposed service will offer value for money in delivering the planned objectives of this activity. 3.5 Organisation experience Demonstrate your organisation s experience in supporting allied health practitioners and their consumers in rural and remote locations, including those on the Better Start and HCWA Early Intervention Service Provider Panels. Please detail your service delivery model and performance measures in your response 3.6 How to submit an application To apply for selection under this process, the applicant will need to complete the Application Form including responses to the selection criteria as detailed in 3.2. To lodge an application you must complete this Application Form in full and electronically submit it, along with any attachments requested, by email to ASD.support@fahcsia.gov.au. A copy of the Application Form is included in the information sent in the documents provided during the application process or can be requested through ASD.support@fahcsia.gov.au. The application must be received online by the closing date and time as detailed at 3.9. The Department will not accept completed applications by fax. Copies of the Terms and Conditions Standard Funding Agreement will be included with the documents provided during selection processes to the preferred applicant. 3.7 Questions and Answers during the Application period The Department will only respond to requests for information that seek clarification of issues to allow them to better understand the requirements of the Application Form and Program Guidelines. All questions should be directed to the ASD.support@fahcisa.gov.au mailbox. Applicants will receive a written response to these questions within two working days. 3.8 Questions after the application period The Department will not accept or respond to an applicant s requests for information or correspondence about the status or progress of their application during the assessment phase. 3.9 Closing date and time Applications will open on 143 June 2013 and close on 17 June 2013 at 4pm AEST. The application must be received by FAHCSIA within this application period to be considered. 3.10 Application Acknowledgement Unless prior agreement has been reached with FaHCSIA and application will not be considered lodged until it is received by FaHCSIA. The applicant will receive email notification from Program Guidelines Suite Page 10 of 11

FaHCSIA within 24 hours of an application being lodged correctly. If the applicant has not received notification in this timeframe, the applicant should contact FaHCSIA to confirm that the form has been lodged correctly. 3.11 Announcement Strategy The application will be assessed based on the responses to the selection criteria, and the Branch Manager, Autism and Early Intervention Branch will make a final decision on the outcome of the Selection Process. The applicant will be informed of the outcome, no later than the 29 April 2013, by way of a formal letter. 4 Contact information Address: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Module D, Tuggeranong Office Park, Athllon Drive, Tuggeranong ACT 2900 Phone: 02) 6146 2623 Email: ASD.support@fahcsia.gov.au Website: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/ Program Guidelines Suite Page 11 of 11