CRU Projects - Self Directed Support

Self Directed Support

Self-directed Support & Personalised Budgets in Qld

On 17 th June 2009, Community Resource Unit (CRU) and Mamre Association co-hosted a workshop “Self-directed Support & Personalised Budgets in Qld”. Due to unprecedented demand, this workshop was repeated on 30 July. These workshops were designed in response to the considerable interest in self-directed support and individualised funding as one way for people with disability and their families to increase their choice and control to tailor support to truly meet their needs. Participants included people with disability, family members, service providers Disability Service staff members and academics. Presentations provided an international, national and local overview of the key issues, underpinning principles, alternative models of service delivery as well as identifying challenges and opportunities.

Presenters included

Lesley Chenoweth, Professor of Social Work, Griffith University. Lesley has more than 35 years experience as a practitioner, teacher, researcher and activist in disability and human services and is currently Co Director, Griffith Abilities Research Unit within the research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation. She highlighted numerous overseas and interstate studies and their findings. Lesley Chenoweth's Powerpoint presentation is available here. Lesley’s full report “Funding and Service Options for People with Disabilities” is available on the Griffith University website. http://www.griffith.edu.au/data/assets/pdf_file/0020/153425/funding-support-options.pdf

Robbi Williams, CEO of Julia Farr Association in Adelaide and national convener of In Control Australia. Robbi has over twenty years multi-national experience in disability, mental health and community development. Robbi presented the In Control model that is being successfully rolled out in the UK. Robbi Williams' Powerpoint presentation is available here

Vicki Humphries, a woman with an acquired disability who chooses to live on her own in the community. She has successfully self managed her support for over 20 years. Vicki Humphries' presentation is available here (Word format) . Vicki also provided information on practical aspects of managing her own funds using the fictitious company MM Pty Ltd.
Vicki Humphries information provided on CD follows (Word format).

1.MM STAFF PACK LETTER
2.MM EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
2a.MM Workers Manual 2004
3.MM Code of Conduct
4.MM PCA MANUAL
5.MM WHS and HANDLING
6.MM EMERGENCY EMPLOYEE CONTACTS
7.MM INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
8.MMSTAFF_PERFORMANCE_APPRAISAL
A.MICKEY MOUSE GRANT PROPOSAL
B.MICKEY MOUSE BUDGET 09_10

Jill Hole, parent and founding chairperson of Homes West Assoc, a family-governed service in Brisbane supporting approximately 10 individuals with disability. See Homes West website www.homeswest.org.au

Annette Justin, parent and member of the governance board for the Collective Action Group, a small hosted project based in Brisbane which offers highly individualised support to ten individuals. CAG Powerpoint presentation is available here

Kathryn Treston, Director Mamre Association Inc. Kathryn has more than 25 years experience working in government and non-government organisations. Kathryn presented information on Mamre’s Family Managed Funds model of support. For further detailed information see Mamre’s Website http://www.mamre.org.au/service/family-managed-funds.php

Valmae Rose, State Manager for National Disability Services (NDS) Queensland spoke about her personal vision for a thriving, community driven disability support system that meets the needs of all Queenslanders with disability. Valmae highlighted the recently released document “Blue Skies Scenario – an alternative future for people with disability and their families” www.blue-skies.info

Sue Brady (17th June workshop), former Director, Policy Research and Evaluation Brad Swan (30 th July workshop), former Assistant Director-General, Strategic Policy and Evaluation within Disability Services. Sue and Brad gave an update on the Queensland Government’s new initiatives and future direction. Disability Services Powerpoint presentation is available here.

Handouts from the workshop

Useful websites Helpful Websites
Comparison of models of support presented on the day Four different models of support

This workshop was a collaboration between CRU and Mamre Association with the support of Community Safeguards Coalition and in-Control Australia.

CRU wishes to acknowledge the financial contribution from Disability Services towards the running of the second workshop.

A series of CRU articles on self directed funding is available here.

Self Directed Funding Part 1 (Word format).
Self Directed Funding Part 2 (Word format).
Self Directed Funding Part 3 (Word format).

For further information, contact Kym McCallum kymmccallum@cru.org.au