October 11th & 12th 2011 - VALID

More information www.valid.org.au

or by contacting VALID: 03 9416 4003 / [email protected]

October 11th & 12th 2011

Bell City Event Centre

215 Bell Street, Preston Melways Ref 30 H2

Program Booklet KSP:2011

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Keynote Speaker:

Michelle BrowningMichelle BrowningMichelle BrowningMichelle Browning, Churchill Fellow Acting Principal Guardian, NSW Office of the Public Guardian

Michelle received a ‘Churchill Fellowship’. This gave her the chance to look at (study) how people with disability were supported to make decisions for themselves in England and Canada.

The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disability (CRPD) says people should make their own decisions.

She will report on the ways (models) other countries use laws around guardianship and supported decision making.

VALID welcomes delegates VALID welcomes delegates VALID welcomes delegates VALID welcomes delegates to the first Keys to Success conference.to the first Keys to Success conference.to the first Keys to Success conference.to the first Keys to Success conference.

We are excited to showcase the Keys to Success Program.

It is important for everyone to hear the stories of success from individuals and their families. The Keys to Success Program (KSP) and peer mentor programs aim to:

1. Educate people with a disability about how they can have a say, lead their plan and if they want to, manage their own supports.

2. Educate families about partnering with their family member when planning & in making decisions.

3. Educate workers and others in how to identify, plan, design and/or direct supports in a way that empowers the

person with a disability.

The VALID team (staff, mentors, self-advocates) encourage you to talk to us during these two days about your issues or your work, to find out how we can support you in the future.

At the very least we hope that you will use the contacts & ideas you gain to empower and support people with disabilities and their families/carers.


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Tues. 10am

Cherie Whiteside from Independence Australia is starting a new type of service for people with disability who want to learn to manage their own supports & staff. The service will provide individuals with the ‘tools’ to hire & manage their workforce (staff) & co-ordinate their own funding package (eg. ISP). Independence Australia will be the ‘employer’ & will provide support & training to the staff. Individuals will be supported to learn to recruit, interview & select staff. They will also be fully involved in day-to-day management of staff & assist with training & rostering.

Independence Australia www.independenceaustralia.com Ph: 1300 704 456 [email protected]

Wed. 11am - NDIS John Della Bosca & James O’Brien

As most will know the Federal government has decided to push ahead with the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to implement (make) a new national disability insurance scheme (NDIS).

Senator Jan McLucas recently told a group that intensive (lots of hard work) ground-work for the NDIS was underway right now, with 15 priority areas identified in the earliest stages of getting NDIS-ready.

However, this doesn’t mean we should not keep lobbying! The voice of people with a disability & their families/carers & friends, needs to be strong to give government clear messages about what the NDIS should do & how.

This session provides the chance to ask where things are at & what will happen with the scheme.

Make yourself count - join up at www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au


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KSP KSP KSP KSP ---- Having a Say in Your PlanHaving a Say in Your PlanHaving a Say in Your PlanHaving a Say in Your Plan

The ‘Having a Say in Your Plan’ course topics include:

• Being a Self Advocate

• My Rights & Responsibilities

• Making Choices for Myself

• What is Planning

• Speaking Up Assertively About My Life

This course aims to assist people with disability to learn about planning, to understand their rights and responsibilities about planning and to be more confident in speaking up.

VALID provides train the trainer sessions for disability support workers who wish to conduct this course. Learn how to better support people with disabilities to direct and lead their own plans.

Learn more about this course at sessions at 1.30pm on Tues. & 1pm on Weds 12th Oct. and hear individual’s stories of ‘having a say, including

Graham McBride, Elica Petrovska & Luke Nelson.

KSP KSP KSP KSP ---- Leading Your Life Leading Your Life Leading Your Life Leading Your Life ---- Directing Your PlanDirecting Your PlanDirecting Your PlanDirecting Your Plan

The aim of this course is to show people with disability how to take charge of their own planning and make their own decisions.

In this course participants will learn how to:

• Make sure your planning is about you

• Look at what’s working for you (and what’s not)

• Work out your problems & give feedback

• Take control of your own decisions

• Start your own planning

• Become the “leader” of your life

Speakers include: Laura Templeton, Luke Nelson, Lisa McLeish & Leah Scott

Jon Slingsby & Heather Forsyth will coordinate these sessions & the guest speakers at 3pm on Tues. & 2.30pm on Weds 12th Oct.


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KSP KSP KSP KSP ---- Families as Planning PartnersFamilies as Planning PartnersFamilies as Planning PartnersFamilies as Planning Partners

This course is designed to assist parents/families of people with disability to keep up to date on the many changes in the disability services area and to feel in control.

It can also assist to build on current circumstances & provide options to explore:

• Planning – for now & the future

• Individual funding & support

• Rights & family member’s rights under the Disability Act

Members of the VALID Family Mentor Team (FMT) - see last page for more info on the FMT - present the course from a unique family-member perspective.

Parents and their son/daughter from the FMT will present their stories of how they have used person-centred planning and Individual Support Packages (ISP’s) to:

• create a home (Weds.12th 2.30pm)

• manage their ISP funding themselves (Tue. 11th 3pm & Weds.12th 2.30pm)

• select and/or employ their own staff (Tue. 11th 3pm)

Maree & Kevin Hewitt have been leaders amongst parents for over 20 years. They will talk about how they have worked with their daughter Melinda to create her own home using good person-centred planning,& self-managing her ISP funding.

John & Anne Page partner with their daughter Joanne in planning & managing Jo’s ISP. Jo chooses her own activities & changes things when she has completed her goals. She likes to use local people to support her (ie. staff) with activities & selects them herself.

Lesley O’Loughlin-Schultz started doing ‘person-centred planning’ before it was ‘in favour’ in Victoria. Through this she has created a home for her daughter Cindy. The family manages the ISP (Direct Payment) & also employs their own staff (Direct Employment).


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Tuesday 11th October 2011

9 – 10am Registration

Registration, coffee & get to know someone new! 10 – 11am (Plenary) Main Session

Update on what is happening with ISP’s in Victoria, Jenny Dalling, Manager Individual Supports, Disability Services Division

‘Individualised funding for disability services: performance audit findings’, Renee Cassidy, Acting Director, Performance Audit, VAGO

‘Self-Directed Staffing’, Cherie Whiteside, Independence Australia

11 -11.30am Break Morning Tea break 11.30am -

12.30pm

(Plenary) Main Session

What would the NDIS (Nat. Disability Insurance Scheme) mean for you?

John Della Bosca, National Campaign Director & James O’Brien State Campaign Coordinator Vic./Tas., NDIS

12.30 – 1.30pm

Lunch In marquee downstairs

1.30pm –

2.30pm

Choice of Sessions

Family Stream

What about the Men? Dad to Dad program

Jo Richie & John Page

(more on page 10)

General Stream

Getting the Most out of Your ISP:

John McKenna & Simone Stevens

(more on page 8)

Self Advocate Having a Say in Your Plan: About the course: stories of success - Elica Petrovska, Graham McBride & other self-advocates

2.30 – 3pm Break Afternoon Tea break 3.00pm -

4.00pm

Choice of Sessions

Family Stream

Managing our own funding & staff (inc. Direct Payment & Direct Employment):

Real family stories: John & Anne Page; Lesley O’Loughlin-Schultz, Dariane McLean & others

General Stream

Promoting self-determination - the value of communication assessments & aids. (including info on NECAS** - see pg 10)

Naomi Rezzani, Comm-unication Resource Centre (CRC)

Self Advocate

Directing Your Life: About the course – Luke Nelson, Leah Scott & other self-advocates stories of success, including getting a job through TTE**

**Acronyms ISP - Individual Support Package TTE - Transition To Employment KSP - Keys to Success Program VAGO - Victorian Auditor General’s Office NECAS – Non-Electronic Communication Aid Scheme


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Wednesday 12th October 2011

9 - 9.30am Registration

Registration, coffee & get to know someone new!

9.30 – 10.30am

(Plenary) Main Session Models of Guardianship & Supported Decision-making: Michelle Browning, NSW Office of the Public Guardian

Update on G&A Review, Ian Parsons, Law Reform Commission

10.30 -11am Break Morning Tea break 11am -12pm (Plenary) Main Session

Update on changes in Victoria including, Disability State Plan, Office of Disability & the Charter R&R**:

Christine Mathieson, Office of Disability

‘Leading my Life’, Luke Nelson

12pm - 1pm Lunch In marquee downstairs 1pm – 2pm Choice

of Sessions

Family Stream

What is the deal with planning?

Including why do your own plan; support & tools that are available; stories of success.

Christine Scott, Joanne Page & others.

General Stream

Getting the Most out of your ISP:

John McKenna & Simone Stevens

(more on page 8)

Self Advocate Having a Say in Your Plan: all about the course, plus & other self-advocate stories of success

2 – 2.30pm Break Afternoon Tea break 2.30pm -

3.30pm

Choice of Sessions

Family Stream Accommodation: Creating your own home using your ISP:

The Hewitt & Page families.

General Stream

More Choice in Day Options:

David Craig

Self Advocate

Directing Your Life: all about the course & self-advocate stories of success, including getting a job through TTE**

**AcronymsAcronymsAcronymsAcronyms G&A - Guardianship & Administration R&R - Rights & Responsibilities ISP - Individual Support Package TTE - Transition To Employment

Look out for the Disability Service Commissioner’s stand

at the conference


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Getting the Most

Out of Your Individual Support Package (ISP)

ISP Workshops

Eastern Region Croydon Library Tue.18th October & Tue. 13th December Ferntree Gully Art Centre

VALID Office Mon. 14th November 10am -12pm & 6.30 - 8.30pm

Southern Region Cheltenham Library Tue. 22nd November

Northern Region Eltham Library Tue. 6th September

Western Region Altona Library Tue. 8th November

VALID Inc. is conducting FREE workshops to provide people with the opportunity to

strengthen their understanding & knowledge about Individual Support Packages (ISP’s).

John McKenna, Individual Support Package (ISP) Advocate at VALID. John’s role as ISP Advocate is to provide support and education to individuals and families in the Metro Area (North & West; Southern & Eastern Regions), so that they can better understand their Individual Support Packages (ISPs).

Simone Stevens is a leader & a peer mentor in VALID’s team.

She is on the VALID Board, the Having a Say conference Organising Committee and many other committees.

She manages her own ISP. In her presentation she will talk about how she has achieved (done) this. She will inspire you to have your say & not give up!

MiniMiniMiniMini----sessions sessions sessions sessions during this during this during this during this

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Tue. 11th 1.30pm

Wed. 12th 1pm

For more information on the ISP Project contact John McKenna at VALID or email [email protected] or Dariane McLean, email: [email protected]


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Getting Into The Act:Getting Into The Act:Getting Into The Act:Getting Into The Act: Let’s Do It!Let’s Do It!Let’s Do It!Let’s Do It!

Are information workshops for clients, families and staff of disability services funded under the Disability Act 2006.

All sessions are delivered in plain English and easy to understand formats.

Getting Into The Act workshop

A general introduction to the Disability Act 2006.

Let’s Do It Workshops

A range of free specific workshops in the areas of:

1. Planning

2. Making Complaints

3. Residential Rights and Responsibilities

4. Quality and Standards

More Choice During the Day

A workshop for day service clients & their families/supporters.

It explains the changes to funding for Disability Day Services, and how it now gives people more choice and control of what they do. What people think of these workshops?


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Tue. 1.30pm - Dad to Dad program The Dad to Dad program is a unique program providing respite in a ‘man-friendly’ manner, ie. they go fishing, watch motor racing & that sort of thing!! They throw a bit of mutual support & training in at times & the outcome is great support for fathers/male carers. John & Jo are the Coordinators of the program & they will talk about what men say about the weekends & the outcomes that have been achieved.

To find out more, please contact John or Jo. John Page Mobile: 0407 840 296 Email: [email protected]

Jo Richie Mobile: 0417 512 482 Email: [email protected]

Tue. 3pm - The Importance of Communication (inc. NECAS) Everyone communicates! Being able to get your message across well is vital (very important) to self-advocacy, planning & participation.

However, not everyone can communicate all they want to say verbally. So individuals use different methods. One is using communication aids designed for the individual & their situation.

Naomi Rezzani, from CRC (Communication Resource Centre) will talk about this & the free support available through NECAS - Non-electronic Communication Aids Scheme.

Ph: 03 9843 2000 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sscopevic.org.au

Tue. 10am - VAGO Report on Individualised Funding Renee Cassidy will talk about VAGO’s role & this new report. VAGO (Vic. Auditor General’s Office) was asked to find out if individualised funding for disability services was working well, including if it: meets client needs including choice & control: supports the provision of high quality services; & supports sector sustainability & capacity.

It found that ISPs are empowering people & benefiting lives. However, getting an ISP is more difficult than it needs to be & people are treated differently from region to region.

It recommends, improved communication with individuals/families; staff training; planning & support for people in crisis.

Ph: (03) 8601 7000 Email: [email protected] web: www.audit.vic.gov.au

Weekends Time out – Networking – Fun


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Accommodation: Accommodation: Accommodation: Accommodation:

Quote VALID event to receive discounted rates: Budget (Sleep & Go $119 per room) or 1 bed Manhattan $179 per room; plus other options Bell City Rydges ph: 9485 1000 Rydges.com/BellCity

Parking free onParking free onParking free onParking free on----sitesitesitesite::::

* front of venue OR

* underground carpark off Hotham Street.

Public Transport:Public Transport:Public Transport:Public Transport:

Train Train Train Train - Bell Station is only an easy 10 minute walk down Bell Street

Tram Tram Tram Tram - from the City is the Bundoora Route 86 tram. Get off at Bell St. stop.

VENUEVENUEVENUEVENUE ---- Ballroom Level 2, Rydges Bell City

SupportSupportSupportSupport::::

If you require support during the conference please ask a VALID staff person. Attendant carer is located at the Rego Desk.

Preliminary Program (Aug 15th) – may CHANGE’ KSP:2011

11th & 12th October 2011

VALID FAMILY MENTOR TEAM

Speakers in the family stream were mostly members of the VALID Family Mentor Team (FMT).

The FMT is a team of fourteen parents and allies of people with disability. They each have undertaken extensive training over the last four years. Team members are located across Victoria and provide peer support to families on a voluntary basis in their local communities and regions.

The FMT also present the Families as Planning Partners course to other families from a unique family-member (& ally) perspective. This has been well received by over 100 families who have done the course in the last year.

KSP Self Advocacy Team

In the self-advocate stream, the speakers will be people with disability who are part of VALID Self Advocacy Networks and Peer Mentor Team. These speakers will include Simone Stevens, who manages her own ISP; Luke Nelson who is not only a peer mentor but a trainee in public speaking and Graham McBride, a strong self advocate who will talk about his support plan. Jon Slingsby & Heather Forsyth who run the KSP Self Advocate programs will facilitate these sessions.

For more information contact VALID

235 Napier Street, Fitzroy 3065

Phone: 03 9416 4003 Fax: 03 94 16 0850

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.valid.org.au

Documents

October 11th & 12th 2011 - VALID