Siblings Australia Urgent Campaign

Hello
Please send this through your networks and apologies for cross postings.

I am writing to ask for your support, leading up to this year's Federal election. Once again, Siblings Australia is at risk of being unable to continue its important work in supporting siblings of people living with disability or chronic illness. I am asking that you write letters to your local and/or national parliamentarians telling them why sibling support is important.

In the twelve years since the establishment of Siblings Australia, the organisation has gained a national and international reputation. However, we have faced many hurdles, none more devastating than the loss of funding when the new ALP government came into power in 2007. Since then we have continued to carry out a number of valuable projects to support siblings, families and providers despite severe resource restrictions. However, Siblings Australia is not able to continue this work without proper resources. It would be shameful if this experience and expertise were to be lost.

We are very fortunate to have recently had Families Australia support our efforts by including Siblings Australia in their election proposals. You can read the National Action Plan for Siblings, and a Briefing Paper about the work of Siblings Australia, here. You can see the details of all the Families Australia's 2010 election proposals, including those relating to siblings on their website. We now need your support in this campaign.

Please feel free to write your own letter but, in order to make it easier, a pro forma document to guide this letter writing campaign in support of Siblings Australia is included below, which you can adapt as you wish to suit your own situation/experience.

We suggest you email any or all of the below parliamentarians, and any others that you wish (you can cc them into one email):
1. Chair, Senate Community Affairs References Committee, Senator Rachel Siewert (AG, WA) senator.siewert@aph.gov.au
2. Chair, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing, Mr Steve Georganas MP (ALP, Hindmarsh, SA) Steve.Georganas.MP@aph.gov.au
3. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FAHCSIA) The Hon Jenny Macklin MP (ALP, Jagajaga, VIC) JMacklin.MP@aph.gov.au
4. Minister of Health and Ageing, The Hon Nicola Roxon MP (ALP, Gellibrand, VIC) Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au
5. You may also like to cc your local Member (see list here) and also Siblings Australia.

We appreciate any advocacy efforts you are able to give in order to ensure our ongoing commitment to siblings. If you would prefer to not receive correspondence from Siblings Australia in the future please click here

Kind regards
Kate Strohm Executive Director
admin@juliafarr.org.au

web site links are in this site...
http://www.familiesaustralia.org.au/publications/pubs/siblingselection2010.pdf

Families with a Child with a Disability: NSW Ombudsman consultation

The NSW Ombudsman wants to hear from families who have a child with a disability living at home about the services and support they receive and how well services work together to support families.  The team wants to hear about:

• specialist disability services, such as: information and referral services, intensive family support and other family support, respite, early intervention, therapy, case management, support for carers, physical aids and equipment, and the way services work together
• how well children with a disability are supported in services for families in the community, such as: child care, out-of-school hours care and vacation care, pre-school and education, health services, public transport, sport and recreation.

A brochure is attached.
The NSW Ombudsman is independent of government and other services, and its role includes monitoring the delivery of community services in NSW.  The consultation report will let the NSW Government know what families say about the support and services they need.  Details of individuals will be kept confidential, and specific services will not be named.
Families can share their views individually (by phone or in person) or through email, or join other parents in a small group. The consultation continues until 6 August 2010.
For more information or to have a 1-hour interview, contact Christine Flynn, ph 9265 0410 or tollfree 1800 451 524 or email cflynn@ombo.nsw.gov.au This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or Linda Blue, ph 9286 0950 or tollfree 1800 451 524 or email lblue@ombo.nsw.gov.au

Why We Do What We Do

You will all love this, if you have not already seen it, it is one of the best short films I have seen, really heartwarming.

Be My Brother by Genevieve Clay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d-7IFN4DKA

Compliments from Nell Brown

Supported living - Creating a home of one's own with self directed support

If your family does not yet have a satisfactory solution for long term accommodation for your disabled family member then this is worth a read and some serious consideration.

In Control Australia and Family Advocacy have scheduled  two valuable meetings on this very important subject - full details are contained in the attached brochure along with booking forms.   

The first event, on 9 August, is hosted by In Control Australia and showcases Homes West, Brisbane and My Place, Perth, two services that support people with disability in homes of their own with a combination of formal and informal support. 

http://www.family-advocacy.com/in-control-forum.html

The second event on 10 August is hosted by Family Advocacy and is a unique opportunity to participate in a conversation around some key considerations when thinking about supported living possibilities. 

http://www.family-advocacy.com/events.php

 Both events will be of interest to families, services and government representatives and will focus on what it takes to achieve similar outcomes for people with disability in NSW.

Registration details are included on the fliers.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Belinda Epstein-Frisch, AM, Family Advocacy

Both Family Advocacy and Ability Options have publicised these events, for which our thanks.  

Supported living:- Creating a home of one’s own with self directed support.

Supported Living Fund for NSW. A Supported Living Fund is a stream of government funding that would enable men and women with disability to move into a home of their own in a planned and timely way.

A new seminar will showcase Homes West, Brisbane and My Place, Perth, two services that support people with disability in homes of their own with a combination of formal and informal support.
Date: Monday 9 August 2010
Time: 9.30am - 3.00pm (Registration at 9.00am)
Venue: Parliament House Theatrette, Macquarie St, Sydney
RSVP: by 1 August 2010—see attached for details

There is also a follow up workshop:- Tuesday 10 August 2010, 9.30am—2.30pm, West Ryde.

See full details of the Supported Living Fund proposals are contained in the March  Posting below What do Sunnyfield Members think about this?

Inquiry into services provided or funded by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care

Nell Brown has emailed Members re this enquiry (see attached) and she is keen for us to think about what "other matters" we believe should be presented to the Standing Committee.

TERMS OF REFERENCE1.
That the Standing Committee on Social Issues inquire into and report on the
quality, effectiveness and delivery of services provided or funded by the
Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), and in particular:
(a) the historical and current level of funding and extent of unmet need,
(b) variations in service delivery, waiting lists and program quality between:
(i) services provided, or funded, by ADHC,
(ii) ADHC Regional Areas,
(c) flexibility in client funding arrangements and client focused service delivery,
(d) compliance with Disability Service Standards,
(e) adequacy of complaint handling, grievance mechanisms and ADHC funded
advocacy services,
(f) internal and external program evaluation including program auditing and
achievement of program performance indicators review, and
(g) any other matters.

Add a Comment or email if you believe we should make a submission.

WARRINGAH DISABILITY NEWSLETTER No 232 - 25/06/10

Hello!

The newsletter starts with another discobility, disability rocks concert, two art prizes, work at Sailability, microwave cooking, Auslan and audio described tours and Bounce School.  Young carers are invited to the Endeavour and school holiday programs;  fathers to an evening session, families to consultations on services, support groups as well as an expo at Bradfield Park.  There are three events and some resources regarding education and employment for young people with disabilities.

Grants are on offer from the Commonwealth bank, ANZ Staff Foundation, The Myer Foundation and Optus, and specials on safety and mobility equipment.  Resources include a self-study toolkit on brain injury, the Schizophrenia research Library, the TechStyle magazine, a website of audio described movies, Shopmobility and reminders regarding the CAPScheme and MLAK keys.  Your participation is invited regarding two registers (childhood vision impairment, organ donor), a CALD project, disability services, employment policies, the arts and disability strategy, and three competitions for young people.

Workshops and meetings involve schizophrenia, person-centred thinking, supported living, allegations against employees, intellectual disability, the Association for Children with a Disability NSW, Cert IV in Community Services Work, financial services, and professional development.  Conferences focus on caring, children’s welfare, NCOSS, digital services for CALD clients, employment services, developmental psychology.  The Big Event – Disability expo is also planned.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome, as always!

Regards, Marjorie Janz, Disability Information Officer, Warringah Council.

Phone 9942 2686, fax 9942 2371.  Also janzm@warringah.nsw.gov.au.