The ILC grants round for the ACT will open in January 2017. 

To help organisations get ready for ILC in the ACT, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is holdinginformation sessions in Canberra on the 16 and 17 of Novemberto explain the process for applying for ILC grants. 

Information sessions will be broken into two parts:

1. Part 1 will be delivered by the NDIA. The NDIA will provide an overview of the ILC Commissioning Framework which should be released shortly and the Program Guidelines which should be released in November.
2. Part 2 will be delivered by Social Ventures Australia (SVA). SVA will facilitate practical exercises based on the new ILC Toolkit, including outcomes measurement and grants management, to help organisations get ready for ILC.  

Sessions:

1. Wednesday 16 November 2016, 9.00am-12.45pm
2. Wednesday 16 November 2016, 1.15pm-5.00pm
3. Thursday 17 November 2016, 9.00am-12.45pm
4. Thursday 17 November 2016, 1.15pm-5.00pm

The information sessions will be held at the Hellenic Club, Woden.

To attend an information session you must emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.with the following details:

• Information session (1, 2, 3 or 4):
• Number of attendees (maximum of 3 people per organisation per session):
• Name/s:
• Organisation:
• Email address:
• Contact number:
• Organisation type (service provider, advocacy organisation, disability support organisation):
• Dietary requirements:
• Accessibility requirements (Auslan, captioning):

Please note that spaces will be prioritised for organisations who will be providing ILC activities and that a maximum of 3 people per organisation can register for each session.

Recognising exceptional women in our community

The ACT Women’s Awards recognise the achievements of women who have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of women and girls in our local community.

Everyone knows a Canberra woman who makes a real difference to the lives of others. Some are high profile women and some have a very low profile. Being nominated by your own community can mean just as much as winning an award. The ACT Women’s Awards are just one way of saying thank you to the excellent work women do across Canberra.

Nominations for the 2017 ACT Women’s Awards recognise exceptional women in the following three categories:

• ACT Woman of the Year
• ACT Senior Woman of Year (50 years and over)
• ACT Young Woman of the Year (16-30 years)

Nominations close on Friday 18 November 2016. To nominate someone please visit www.communityservices.act.gov.au/women/awards.

Need help or more information? Please contact:

ACT Office for Women | Telephone (02) 6205 3614 or (02) 6205 0515
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |www.women.act.gov.au

Marist College would like to invite you to ENGAGE

ENGAGE Sports is the dream of two Year 9 students who wanted to start a Sports Inclusion program for students with disability, who would play together in teams with Marist students.

Who do you know who would like to ENGAGE?

The program will run fromThursday 25 August until Thursday 3 Novemberand goes from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

For more information please contact Jennifer Croker on 6298 7000 orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Are you a person who understands what it might be like not to able to read the printed word? Do you have time to spare or are you looking for experience working for a not-for-profit organisation? READ MORE…

Are you prepared to assist an organisation in a time of real need?

Radio 1RPH Canberra is urgently looking for skilled volunteers to fill a range of roles assisting with the station’s marketing and publicity.

Enthusiastic, reliable and committed people are needed to help build the station’s community education program; organise fundraising events, research and write grants and Social Media monitors.

Roles can be undertaken from home. Volunteer roles are flexible with time and location.

Volunteers can work from home with expected time of 2-3 hours minimum per week

For more information or to register your interest please emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or call (02) 6132 9205.

Centre for Applied Disability Research (CADR) has launched a new website with a number of new and innovative features:

One of the arms of NDS’ work is the Centre for Applied Disability Research (CADR) the website for which has recently been re-launched incorporating the new Disability Knowledge Clearing House.

The new web site has a number of features:

1. a repository of links to disability research, evaluation and other resources to support evidence based practice. (The contents of our 2014 Audit of Disability Research will be a unique Australian feature and is being progressively added.)
2. innovative search engine technology to enable end users to browse and find material by nine key domains of inquiry (that align to the UNCRDP domains), or material relating to specific disability groups, support types, locations and formats.
3. researchers are encouraged to register work in progress and create a profile so that organisations seeking assistance to become more research minded can find subject matter expertise and participate in current work. Organisations undertaking research can submit publications so that sector led ‘grey’ literature can be shared.
4. the site hosts the small but growing collection of Research to Action Guides and our program of work to develop more of these over the next 18 months.  Communities of practice in priority topics are also being formed to ensure that the best available evidence is tested against the realities and practicalities of service provision. CADR is commencing a program of commissioning more Research to Action guides. Examples of the two Research to Action guides already produced are here.   
5. Priority topics for the guides are based on some recent stakeholder engagement but there is an option to nominate other topics.

Examples of the research referenced include an ADHC resource titled Young carers: Social policy impacts of the caring responsibilities of children and young adults  - or those interested in the interface of disability and health might look at the CADR produced research to action guide  - one of the two referenced above  -  titledWorking at the interface of disability and health.  It includes practical advice about supporting positive arrangements for making that interface work well. 

There are a range of on-going projects being undertaken by NDS and CADR’s university partners.

Footsure is a health promotion program run by the ACT Health Community Care Podiatry Service.

The Footsure program was developed to provide people in the ACT community with the knowledge, resources and skills to enable them to manage their foot health with confidence.

Footsure aims to help you achieve 5 skills. They are:

• Self-examination

• Nail care

• Moisturisers and emollients

• Managing foot pain

• Footwear—how to choose the best shoes for your feet

For more information view the brochure here

Wesley LifeForce will be conducting Suicide Prevention Workshops in Dickson in November at no charge, for details and links to registration….

Where:  Parklands Hotel & Apartments – 6 Hawdon Place, Dickson ACT 2602  

on Tuesday 1 November 2016 and Wednesday 2 November 2016from 9am – 4pm.

You only need to attend one of the days. There is no charge to attend the workshop.

The program helps participants recognise when a person may be having thoughts of suicide, and provides a simple strategy to intervene and assist them.

Registration:

Tuesday 1 November 2016
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wl-3149-wesley-lifeforce-suicide-prevention-6hr-workshop-dickson-act-tickets-26715220945 

Wednesday 2 November 2016
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/copy-of-wl-3149-wesley-lifeforce-suicide-prevention-6hr-workshop-dickson-act-tickets-26715569989 

If you know of any individuals or groups who may be interested in attending either workshop please ask them to register using this appropriate link:

The training is open to community members aged over 18 years.

We would appreciate it if you could please forward this information on to others who you feel may also be interested in attending the workshop.

Each participant will receive a certificate of attendance as well as support materials.

Morning Teawill be provided.

Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Program | Phone: 1800 100 024 | Fax 02 8922 9096 | 
Wesley Mission | PO Box 576, Ashfield NSW 2131

Many of you will know that the NDIA has issued new information in a toolkit in relation to provider registration and the PRODA .  If not you can access ithere

New information is accompanied by a FAQ where there is relevant information in FAQ 32, and then FAQs 39 – 48 about arrangements for payment for services to existing clients. see here 

For housing providers the  NDIA’s SDA page has been updated with new information.

Registered NDIS providers should have received a newsletter from the NDIA with the heading ‘NDIS Provider Newsletter’.

Applications for Youngcare At Home Care Grants in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory for 2016 are NOW OPEN.
 
Youngcare At Home Care Grants assist young people (aged 18 to 65) with high care needs who are living at home and are at risk of entering aged care

One-off grants of $2,000-$10,000 are available for the provision of essential equipment, home modifications or services (e.g. respite/attendant in home care) that will improve a young person’s chance of remaining at home.

Funding of $250,000 is available for distribution in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory this year thanks to the generous support of GIO. 

Submissions must be made by 4pm 15 June 2016. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 29 July 2016.

Applications are completed online, and all parts must be submitted by the closing date.

Applicants can apply as individuals or with the assistance of a non-government organisation. Government organisations are unable to submit applications.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION TODAY
OR for more information CLICK HERE

If you have any questions about submitting an application please do not hesitate to contact Youngcare on 1800 844 727, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Best wishes,
The Youngcare Team

Minister Porter recently  announced  the opening of the grant round for the second Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week, to be held from 5-11 December 2016 with the theme‘the power of partnerships’.

Community organisations can apply for a share of $160,000 in grants to support activities that showcase their philanthropic partnerships, such as community expos and book and film launches. The grants round opened on 29 April and applications for grants of up to $10,000 can be submitted until Monday 6 June 2016.

The Week is an initiative supported by thePrime Minister’s Community Business Partnershipand is delivered by  Philanthropy Australiain partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. The Australian Government has committed $650,000 over three years to support the Week to promote philanthropy and showcase collaborative partnerships across business, community, local government and other organisations.

Further information about the Week and details on the grant application process can be found at Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week.

Applications for Youngcare’s At Home Care Grants in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory are opening 4 May 2016.

Funding of $250,000 is available for distribution in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory this year thanks to the generous support of GIO.

Youngcare At Home Care Grants assist young people (aged 18 to 65) with high care needs who are living at home and are at risk of entering aged care.  One-off grants of $2,000-$10,000 are available for the provision of essential equipment, home modifications or services (e.g. respite/attendant in home care) that will improve a young person’s chance of remaining at home.

Further details including an Information Guide and link to the online Application Form will be available on Youngcare’s website when the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory grant round opens on 4 May 2016. Applications close on the 15^th June 2016.

If you have any questions about the At Home Care Grants program please do not hesitate to contact Youngcare on 1800 844 727 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Best wishes,
The Youngcare Team

This is our 2nd recruitment drive in Canberra; the first was late last year with our corporate partner Hewlett Packard Enterprise (the employer) and the Department of Human Services (Host) for Software Testing roles. These current roles are also with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and will be hosted by the Department of Defence at HMAS Harman in Cyber Security.

• Candidates must have a diagnosis of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (diagnosis, letter from GP confirming diagnosis etc); dual diagnosis OK also
• Must have experience/interest in IT (ideally quals/work experience, however those with high level passion for aspects of IT may be considered)
• Candidates will need to complete an online survey which forms part of the initial assessment/screening for suitability, following this successful candidates will be invited to attend a day long workshop in Canberra where we are able to better assess their application to do this type of work in a practical sense
• At the conclusion of the workshop period (we would generally hold workshops over a 1 week period) we will shortlist and invite successful candidates to the next phase which is an intensive 4 week assessment and training phase - this phase will typically immediately follow the week of the workshops.
• Unsuccessful candidates at all stages of the recruitment process will be notified via email and provided assistance to link back in with local community supports where required.
• These are fairly high level types of IT roles which could include aspects such as knowing language like C++, Python etc, software/web testing, analysis of large volumes of data etc.
• Roles are Canberra based and there are public transport options available

If numbers warranted, we would be happy to come and run an informal information session if we have a decent sized group (anywhere north of 5 people). Happy to hear your thoughts on this.

Please find attached the official Job Ad with appropriate links through to the application process. This is the official document that can be circulated to your networks.

To find out more information about the method of applying and the recruitment process and timelines for this great opportunity, please click on the link below:

 http://otarc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/want-a-career-in-it-are-you-an-adult-on-the-autism-spectrum-in-canberra/

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me by telephone or email.

Jason White

Employment Services Manager

Specialisterne Australia

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

M: +61 481546840

The ACT Education and Training Directorate has commenced the roll-out of it's response to the Shaddock report concerning the 'student in a cage' issue.

If you dig deep enough, you can find the part of the response to the Shaddock report that relates to restrictive practices and provides guidelines and definitions of restrictive practices.  Gohere for the safe and supportive schools guidelines and then scroll down to guideline B.  The ACT does not yet have detailed policies and legislation on restrictive practices in relation to disability support but all of the other Australian eastern seaboard states do.  Service providers in the ACT need to start learning and educating themselves on this area if they are not already doing so.  With a national approach to quality and safeguards under the NDIS already agreed by all the participating jurisdictions, it is only a matter of time before action is pursued in the ACT to create a regime that is comparable or at least consistent with the other eastern states.

One place to start learning is to useresources developed in Queenslandthat were developed in 2014.  Ready4 will steadily add resources on restrictive practices and positive behaviour support to the ready4 portal to help all providers get the information and support they need.

The new $5 note has a hidden beauty' writes Karen Skinner in an article on page 5 of the Canberra Times 'Times' of 14 April. 

Karen, the head of Change.org, Australia recounts that Connor McLeod a 14 year old boy from Sydney began a campaign that secured 57,000 supporters on that site to have Australia's currency embrace tactile markings. 

Connor wanted people like him, who are blind, not to have to rely on the honesty of others in handling their money - and not to suffer the indignity and loss of being ripped off by those who are not!  So, criticise the wattle, the continued inclusion of the Queen on the note or the colour scheme if you like, but it's a hit with the low vision community; and another small step for the inclusion of people with disability in the Australian community as full and equal participants. 

Whether it was Change.org's campaign or Australia's membership of all of the world's human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, or the increasing visibility within goverment of the National Disability Strategy that pushed the Reserve Bank to make this change, it's a great story and a great result for Connor and for Change.org.  Disability service organisations can learn from this.  Start with something of interest, focus on a personal story and show where you and your organisation come into that story.  If you don't know the personal stories of your clients you better get moving because you are not even at first base!

National Disability Services and Every Australian Counts have released a paper showing the potential scale of the economic benefits the NDIS will bring to the ACT. New economic modelling forecasts the impact the NDIS will have on ACT Gross State Product when fully implemented and details the potential for increased labour force participation of people with disability and their carers.

In the ACT the NDIS will:

• Support between 500 and 800 people with disability to find work
• Support approximately 660 carers to return to the workforce
• Create an employment boom with 1,150-1,500 jobs created as a consequence
• Create additional jobs in the ACT disability service sector
• Add up to $367M annually to ACT’s Gross State Product

Every Australian Counts Campaign Director, John Della Bosca, said of the report: “It’s less than three weeks until the Federal Budget is delivered so we’re all thinking fiscally and this data shows us what a fiscal success the NDIS will be.”

The report uses ABS data on numbers of people with disability who would like to work but because of various restrictions have been unable to. With the NDIS, this is changed as more support becomes available to more people with disability. The report also uses data of carers who desire to return to the workforce but cannot now because of their caring responsibility. The modelling is based on an ABS survey of over 75,000 people with disability and their carers. At about one 300th of the Australian population, this makes it the largest sample survey conducted by the ABS.

Manager for NDS in the ACT, Stephen Fox, welcomed the data: “The NDIS is well underway in the ACT. It is on track and the NDIS is clearly transforming the lives and participation of people with disability for the better.”

Mr Fox continued: “It’s very pleasing to see that up to $367 million dollars will be added to ACT’s economy annually because of the NDIS. In real terms these means jobs for people with disability, jobs for carers and also more work in the disability sector. We will continue to work with disability service providers in getting them ready for the NDIS so these greater life outcomes can be realised.”

John Della Bosca concluded: “The full scheme roll out of the NDIS begins from July. In the next 12 months many thousands of people will begin their NDIS journey. There’s still a few more years until the NDIS is here for all Australians and we will continue to hold our government to their promises of fully funding and delivering the scheme.”

You can view paper here

Steve Fox
Manager NDS ACT
T: 02 -6283 3217
M:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

14 April 2016

Up to $5000 rebate for small business to improve energy efficiency. Do you qualify?

Small businesses in the ACT (with electricity bills less than $20,000 including GST OR up to 10 full-time equivalent staff) can join the Actsmart Business Energy and Water program. Businesses receive an assessment and tailored report identifying energy and water saving opportunities. Actsmart will rebate 50% of the cost of implementing these recommendations, up to $5,000. Please pass this on to any businesses you think could benefit.Find out more.

Grants available to facilitate creative expression for people with intellectual disability.

TheEndeavour Foundation Endowment Challenge Fund seeks to benefit Australians with a disability, especially those with an intellectual disability, by:

• Supporting people with an intellectual disability realise their creative potential across all areas of the Arts.
• Supporting community participation for persons with a disability
• Encouraging quality and innovation in the disability services and broader community sectors

Grants are available for non-profit organisations to undertake projects that enable people with intellectual disability to realise their creative potential through the Arts. The Fund is particularly interested in encouraging Arts organisations to consider how they could directly include people with a disability within their current work.

The 2016 QArt Grants Round opens on 14 March 2016, with $6,500 available to non-profit organisations across Australia.

The Endowment Challenge Fund also provides grants to researchers and students undertaking research into significant issues for the Australian disability sector. There are also grants available to researchers and students focussing on issues related to artistic expression for people with an intellectual disability.

For more information and to apply visit:www.endowmentchallengefund.com.au. Applications must be received by 5pm, Friday 22 April 2016 (EST).

HESTA Community Sector Awards

Specialist Disability Accommodation Position Paper on Draft Pricing and Payments

Position paper released for comment – Responses due by 15^th April 2016. 

Following national consultation on the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Pricing and Payments framework, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has released the SDA Position Paper on Draft Pricing and Payments. The paper is designed to provide advice to the market and to give stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback on the NDIA’s approach.

The paper is not designed to be a guide for participants on how they will receive support for SDA through the NDIS.  Information for participants on SDA supports, including details on eligibility requirements, the level of support participants will receive and the processes for accessing these supports, will be released by the end of May 2016.

For more information see http://www.ndis.gov.au/news/sda-news

Innana Inc. is seeking a new CEO.

Innana is a NFP committed to reducing homelessness in the ACT, assisting women escaping domestic violence, families at risk of homelessness and people with complex mental health and disabilities.

Inanna's community include people with disabilities, woman and families experiencing the effects of violence and trauma, Indigenous women and their families, people from a CALD background and anyone seeking community.

To obtain the position description and selection criteria emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For further information contact Martine Taliano on 02 6173 3433 or 0408 200 353.

Applications close 9am Tuesday 26th April 2016.

The ACT Quality Portal maps over 40 sets of standards including all the main sets of community services and health standards.

The Community Services Directorate is funding a 1 year free subscription for funded community organisations.  More than 30 community service providers have taken up subscriptions to the new online tool.  The deadline for taking up the offer is 31 March.

The largest ever research effort into philanthropic behaviour led by the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS)

at QUT with the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University of Technology and the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs. To participate, register here.

Eligible charities are encouraged to apply for Australia Post’s 2016 Our Neighbourhood Community Grants

Program for funding of up to $10,000. Applications close 1 April.  For details clickhere.

During the month of February 2016, Disability ACT has changed over two households with six residents from Government support to non-government support.

March 2016 will see another eight (8) households changing over to the non-government sector, with six more anticipated to change over in April 2016. This will leave 16 households remaining to change over to new providers. As of 29 February 2016, there were 13 households without a confirmed change over date with four of those households without a confirmed service provider.

The final round of Community Participation Grants for Individuals are open until 13 June 2016 or until funds are allocated.

$70,000 (GST ex) is available for individual grants to a maximum of $1,000. The current grants  exclusively target pre-planning assistance for people who have not yet phased to the NDIS and can be found on the Community Services Directorate website:communityservicesdirectorate.act.gov.au.

EOI - Nous Group is delivering an NDIS Sector Development Fund program called Opening Doors which is working to improve access to the NDIS for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people in the ACT.

Participation would mean that Nous will work with you to develop strategies that will increase your organisation’s capacity to attract and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and employ and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.   The program will run from April to December.  For more information contactThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or T (02) 6201 9018.

ILC Consultation: register at the NDIAACT events page.

How do I get involved?

The Agency wants to hear from you. The ILC Commissioning Framework will be stronger once your ideas have been incorporated. You can provide as much, or as little, feedback as you would like. You are welcome to answer one question or all the questions. We are interested in everyone’s feedback.

Organisations and individuals that would like to provide feedback can do so through the ILC mailbox –This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(link sends e-mail). Please use theILC feedback document template. Written feedback will be accepted up until 5pm Friday the 22nd of April 2016. 

Before providing feedback we encourage you to read theILC Commissioning Framework – Consultationand theILC PolicyFramework. There is also anEasy English version of the Commissioning Framework.

Special Disability Accommodation Framework Consultation:

The NDIA is currently holding public consultation sessions across Australia to obtain feedback on the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Pricing and Payments Framework. The consultation sessions are open to any interested party, and we would welcome the attendance of participants, carers and families, as well as financiers, and those involved in developing, building, purchasing and the management of accommodation options for people with disability.

Some Australians living with disability require access to SDA in order to best meet their needs. From July 1 2016, eligible participants requiring access to SDA will have funding included in their plan to cover any disability-related housing costs that are above the ordinary costs of housing.

In November 2015 the Disability Reform Council endorsed a ‘Specialist Disability Accommodation Pricing and Payments Framework’ (the Framework). The Framework will guide the Agency as it develops pricing for SDA contributions. The Framework provides guidance regarding eligibility, registration and quality and safeguards for SDA. The policy intent of the Framework is to establish a competitive price that attracts market players to supply new and appropriate dwelling stock, while considering the need for stability in the transition from existing SDA arrangements to the NDIS.

For more information the Framework, see www.ndis.gov.au/news/release-sda-policy-framework

The right support at the right time is a critical element of success. Ready4’s 1-on-1 assistance packages offer NDIS service providers tailored advice in areas such as financial management, costing, strategic planning, marketing, collaboration and partnerships, change management, and person-centred service planning. Organisations may elect to apply for either business coaching or technical expertise support. These packages are designed to help disability service providers navigate the new changes and demands placed on the sector by the introduction of the NDIS, setting organisations on a course for long-term success.  Equally, in relation to collaboration and partnership in the community sector, the 1-on-1 assistance will address critical dimensions in pursuing closer cooperation or even formal mergers in accordance with your request and the level of support approved.

All community organisations are able to apply for 1-on-1 business coaching or technical expertise support where informal or formal partnerships and/or collaboration have been identified for them to achieve a strategic objective.  

One round of applications was completed in February 2016 and we have begun work with the ten successful applicant organisations.  A further full round will be undertaken in May.  In the meantime, you may submit an application and we will undertake an assessment.  Subject to capacity, work may be commenced with any such approved applicants prior to the second round being determined.

Open the application form for more information.