The Department of Human Services (DHS) Disability Services’ approach to supporting people with a disability focuses on individually tailored and flexible ways to respond to people’s needs, and to support them to achieve their goals and aspirations. This approach aligns with the goals of the Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-2012 which promote choice, control and decision making by people with a disability, and active community membership.  Flexible Funding Packages are available to people assessed as having the need for short and ongoing periods of time.

 

 

 

Department of Human Services – Southern Metropolitan Region

 

Disability Service Request (DSR) to obtain Individualised Support Package (ISP) Funding

 

Support for people with an ABI

People with an ABI, like other members of the community, rely on their family and friends and access to a range of services from both government and privately funded organisations to meet their daily living requirements and participate as members of the community.

The community service system provides wide-ranging services accessible to all members of the community. Community services include hospitals, general practitioner services, community health services and activities, pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary schooling, transport, housing, sport, leisure and recreation and services for people who are ageing.

People with an ABI, their families and carers may also require access to the disability support system to complement informal supports and community services in meeting needs that are specific to their disability or caring for someone with a disability.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Disability Services’ approach to supporting people with a disability focuses on individually tailored and flexible ways to respond to people’s needs, and to support them to achieve their goals and aspirations. This approach aligns with the goals of the Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-2012 which promote choice, control and decision making by people with a disability, and active community membership.

 

Access to ongoing disability support

People with a disability may be considered for registration for ongoing disability support where it has been determined they have:

• a disability as defined by the Disability Act 2006; and
• a current need for ongoing disability support.

People with a disability from interstate are also eligible to register for Victorian disability services and where they have a need for support, should be considered equitably along with other applicants within the resource allocation process.

A person with a disability has the right to choose which in state or region they wish to reside or receive supports. The region is responsible for considering all applicants who wish to receive support in the region.

 

The Disability Support Register

The Disability Support Register (DSR) is the system used by the department to record the current need for on-going disability support. It provides a clear and accurate picture of the support that is currently required, so that when resources become available, they can be allocated in a fair, transparent and efficient manner.

The DSR is not a waiting list or a measure of future need for people who might need support at a later stage. Resources are allocated to individuals based on their current needs and circumstances.

It is accepted that all people registered on the DSR have a current need for disability supports, however some people will have needs at an extremely critical point, and these will be listed as having priority status for ongoing disability support

 

 

Determining a DSR funding level

Once the supports that the person is requesting have been confirmed, the DSR Coordinator will determine the funding level at which a DSR application will be registered.

The DSR level at which an application is registered should equate to the cost of the required resources, as identified through the individualised planning process and by confirming the supports that have been requested.

 

Individual supports

DSR applications for individual supports should contain sufficient detail on the type, frequency and level of supports which require funding. For supports which are traditionally purchased by Disability Services, the standard unit price should be used.  

The Disability Services Policy and Funding Plan provides pricing information where the service to be purchased is covered by Disability Services unit prices. It is available on-line at:

http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability/publications-library/policy_and_funding_plan_200609

For supports which do not have a Disability Services unit price, the standard or market price for these services should be used.

 

Group Supports

Group supports are those which have traditionally been block funded by Disability Services and in most circumstances, have a set price or cost for the service that will equate to a DSR funding level.

 

Southern Metropolitan Region Intake & Response

Telephone 1300 131 079

 Fax 8585 6005

 TTY 1800 008 149
Southern.Disability@dhs.vic.gov.au

www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability/supports_for_people/individualsupportpackages

 

 

 

Assisted Community Living (ACL) Packages

Melbourne Citymission

ABI funding packages 

At the beginning of each financial year, the ABI Services Unit receives from the DHS, 5 discrete amounts of funding to administer 5 different types of non-recurrent ABI-specific funding packages. These are the:

• Statewide Flexible Support Packages (inclusive of Southern Metropolitan Region residents)
• Eastern Metropolitan Region ACL packages
• Northern Metropolitan Region Behaviour Intervention packages
• Eastern Metropolitan Region Behaviour Intervention packages
• Eastern Metropolitan Region Children's Behaviour Intervention packages.

 

These packages are open to external agencies to apply for on behalf of non-compensable ABI clients.  These packages can assist with meeting people’s needs such as accessing the community, addressing behavioural issues, maintaining independence, and reducing social isolation.

Coordinator ABI Funding Packages

9487 9200 (to request application forms and guidelines)

www.melbournecitymission.org.au

 

 

 

Southern Health

southern region assisted community living packages:

• Are short term packages designed to support clients requiring a lower level of support than provided through other existing programs such as Home First or Linkages
• Provide eligible clients with assistance in maintaining independence through support to develope daily living activities
• Facilitate client’s involvement in personal, social and community activities.
• Are aimed at preventing social isolation and facilitate integration into a range of activities 
• May also prevent crises arising with clients.

Objectives

To enable people with non-compensable and moderate level acquired brain injury to:

• Maintain independent community living options through access to brokered support
• Access and participate in a range of activities which may enhance their connections to the community
• Overcome social isolation.

 

Eligibility
 

Persons with a diagnosed brain injury who:

• Are aged between 18-64 years
• Reside in the Southern Metropolitan Region in the Local Government areas of: Port Phillip, Stonnington, Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston, Casey, Cardinia, Greater Dandenong, Frankston or Mornington Peninsula.

• Do not currently receive funding for the service/s requested
• Require moderate assistance to maintain independent living at present but are working towards increasing their independence and community integration.
• Are non-compensable
• Reside in the community independently or with family, or in an Aged Care Home (low or high level) or Supported Residential Service (SRS).
• Have a Case Manager or other key workers involved to manage ACL funds.

 

Ineligible clients include:

• People who are affected by degenerative neurological disease
• People with a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability.
• People currently in receipt of an Individualised Support Package (Home First, Support & Choice, My Future My Choice or Futures for Young Adults)
• People living in a DHS funded residential facility.

 

Priority of Access:

• Will be given to people at major risk of loss of independence and existing quality of life due to lack of financial means, family support or community living assistance.

 

Application referrals/submissions

Applications will need to:

• Provide a client plan stating the objectives that will be met as a result of the funds being available
• Provide a budget detailing how the funds will be used
• Clearly demonstrate:

• applicant’s eligibility and
• attempts to source other funds and provide explanation as to why these attempts were unsuccessful/inadequate.
• The future outlook for the client, once the ACL funds have been expended.

 

Inner South Team Leader, LIAISE

Phone 8792 2366

Fax 8792 2274

www.southernhealth.org.au

 

 

arbias Ltd

Metropolitan region ACL Packages (inclusive of southern region)

Funding for the Metropolitan Region(s) ACL Packages are available around November/December each year.   A limited number of packages are available (maximum $5,000.00 per package) and funds must be expended within 12 months of being awarded.   Previous recipients of ACL packages will need to re-apply.

 

The target group are those aged between 18 and 65 years who:

• Live in the Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.
• Have a diagnosed ABI and are non-compensable.
• Require moderate assistance to live independently.
• Expend the majority of their income on accommodation and living expenses.

 

Not included in the target group are people:

• With a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability.
• Affected by degenerative neurological disease.
• Who reside in a DHS funded Community Residential Unit or Community Care Unit.

 

Funding may be used to:

• Assist the person you are applying for to access and participate in activities which will enhance their quality of life, e.g. by developing personal & social skills or by participating in training/vocational activities.
• Overcome social isolation and engage in age appropriate activities which are not currently available at their place of residence.
• Purchase aids and equipment to allow community access.

 

Priority will be given to people who are:

• Unable to access recreational or community activities and are likely to benefit in the longer term.
• Not in receipt of support packages.
• Socially isolated and have little or no contact with significant others.
• At risk of loss of independence and quality of life due to a lack of financial means, family support or community living assistance.

 

Coordinator, Flexible Support Packages

Phone 8388 1222

Fax 9387 9925

 

arbias@arbias.com.au

www.arbias.org.au

 

PO Box 5002

Brunswick 3056

 

 

 

Moira 

Financial Intermediary Service for Individual Support Packages

MOIRA acts as the Financial Intermediary for in excess of 1,000 people with disabilities across Victoria. In this role, we hold funds on behalf of people with disabilities and expend those funds in accordance with an approved plan. We work very closely with people with disabilities, service providers, businesses and the Department of Human Services to ensure that funds flow efficiently and that a high level of accountability is achieved.

 

Program Coordinator

8552 2222

moira@moira.org.au

www.moira.org.au

 

928 Nepean Highway,

Hampton East, 3188

 

 

 

SOUTHERN REGION CARERS SUPPORT FUNDING:

 

LIAISE

ABI Carer Support packages are short term funded packages aimed at providing carers with a break from their care-giving responsibilities through the provision of respite services.  Respite services may include in home respite, day activity programs or holidays which provide primary carers with a much needed break from their caring role.

The definition of a primary carer is: Individuals (family member, significant other, friend or neighbour) who provide the most personal care and support to children or adults with a disability, chronic or mental illness or who is frail aged. Non-resident carers providing emotional support and practical assistance to their care recipients are also included in this definition.

Funds are to be expended in the financial year in which they are allocated.   Carers are able to apply for a package each financial year, but as funding is non-recurrent, there is no guarantee that funding will be approved. 

 

Objectives:

• Carer support packages aim to support and maintain the primary care-giving relationship while providing a positive experience for adults with an ABI.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Funds from the ABI Carers Support Packages can only be accessed by carers of individuals with an ABI where the carer resides in the Southern Metropolitan Region (Local Government areas of: Port Phillip, Stonnington, Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston, Casey, Cardinia, Greater Dandenong, Frankston or Mornington Peninsula).
• Carers must be the primary carer of an individual with a primary diagnosis of ABI, who must be aged between 18 and 64 and be non-compensable.
• Carers must have an identified need for respite.

 

Ineligibility Criteria:

• Carers of individuals with an ABI who live in residential care settings including  Supported Residential Services(SRS’s), CRU’s, CCU’s, High or Low level Aged Care Home. 
• Carers of people with a progressive neurological condition. 

 

Priority of Access:

• Priority is given where there is a risk of breakdown in the caring situation.

 

Applications:

Applications will need to:

• Provide a plan stating the objectives that will be met as a result of the funds being available
• Provide a budget detailing how the funds will be used
• Clearly demonstrate

-   applicant’s eligibility and priority of need.

 

Applications up to a maximum of $1000 per financial year will be considered by a panel.

 

Inner South Team Leader, LIAISE

Phone 8792 2366

Fax 8792 2274