Remodelling Disability Support

The 2011 Disability Support Services Consumer Forums are travelling around the North Island in March, explaining Ministry of Health plans over the next few years. The plans are mostly still in the development stage and so MoH are keen to receive some feedback on their new concepts and initiatives.

After a successful tour of the South Island, the forums start in Palmerston North on Monday 14 March, move onto New Plymouth Tuesday on 15 March, Albany and Manukau on Wednesday 16 March, Whakatane Thursday on 17 March and end in Tokoroa on Friday 18 March. (Click on the link to our Disability Sector Happenings, which is to the right of this article, for further detail)

The panel in each area will consist of people from the Ministry of Health, your local Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordinator, and your local Disability Information Centre. These representatives will inform you about the new model for supporting people with disability which includes, individualised funding for consumers, supported living options, ideas for new respite support models, carer support, community living options and child and youth projects.

The new model aims to give people with disabilities and their families more choice and control over the support they receive, with local area coordinators navigating their clients through the options by providing information and thus assisting them to make an informed choice, on what suits them best.

The key changes will see the distribution of funding rather than support services and the funding will be more flexible over how and when it is used. Individualised funding will be more widely available.

It is important that you register if you would like to come along, so a special 0800 phone and text number has been set up for you, along with a dedicated email address. Please use the phone and email to raise any questions – e.g. if you need help with transport or with equipment or interpreters on the day. Click here for when the forums are in your area.
 
Email: MOHFORUM@nzfdic.org.nz
Free phone: 0800 MOH FORUM (0800664367)
Text: 021 08203922
Go to: www.moh.govt.nz/disability

Ross Flood