In this issue • Be prepared and aware this Summer • Christmas office closure • Need flexible support?
From the desk of Tracey Millen As we rapidly approach the end of another busy year, planning for school and day program holiday breaks, family holidays, respite and support, is in full swing for many of us. Whilst the festive season can bring much joy, it can also be a time where many of us may feel stressed and anxious, and could use a little additional guidance or support. If this sounds like you, please speak to your case manager now about the support or services you may need over the summer break as often programs can book out very quickly. For those of you that are new to Disability Services it is a good idea to consider your needs during school and day program breaks and start building these into your Self Directed Plans. As you may know, each year we distribute a “Tell Us What You Think Survey”. We really value your feedback; this helps drive us to continually improve our services
to you. We would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who took the time to complete and return the survey - your responses are currently being compiled and the information provided will assist us in tailoring services to better meet your needs. In addition to the annual survey we strongly encourage feedback at all times. You can do this in a number of ways: (a) Completing our “Help Us Improve” form available from our website (b) Sending a message via our website https://www.windermere.org.au/contact/ or (c) Speaking directly to your case manager.
Finally, this newsletter is designed to provide you with additional information, so it is important that we meet your needs. If you have any suggestions or ideas of what you would like included in future newsletters, please contact us on (03) 9705 3200 or email info@ windermere.org.au We would love to hear from you and really value your input.
We wish you all the best for the festive season. Enjoy the news.
Disability Services will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 24th December returning Monday 5th January. See back page for further details
It’s hotting up... Be prepared and aware this Summer With summer just around the corner, we are reminded of the risks associated with bushfire season, increased outdoor activities and heath related illness. Many of you may experience these increased risks to your health during the warmer months so we strongly recommend that if you or someone you know requires mobility or medical assistance to prepare in advance.
Be bushfire ready this summer… Do you have your bushfire plan ready? Not everyone thinks clearly in an emergency. A written, and wellpractised plan will help you remember what needs to be done during a crisis. Cfa.vic.gov.au not only provides valuable information, but also up to date information on areas of risk.
To help you plan for survival and prepare for the bushfire season ahead, download your copy of the CFA Fire Ready Kit. http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/fm_files/ attachments/plan_and_prepare/ frk_2013/4713_CFA_2014_ FireReadyKit_web.pdf
Other useful contacts include: Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) 1800 240 667 Home Bushfire Advice Line- 1800 555 677
Water safety – play it safe this summer Did you know home swimming pools are the most common places for drowning? Water safety starts at home. It’s important to keep your pool fenced and your kids supervised. Ensure pool fencing is maintained and never leave the gate open. 2
When you are swimming at the beach only swim at patrolled beaches and between the flags. Learn how to spot rips; if you get caught in a rip to stay calm and float to conserve energy. Never swim alone. A number of organisations run water safety and swimming classes and
many local services run first aid training - a valuable skill to have, you never know when you may need to use it. For more information visit: http:// www.watersafety.vic.gov.au/
I need help, who should I contact? In an emergency call 000 Speak to your doctor or Nurse on Call 1300 606 024 (24 hours)
Maternal and Child Health Line Call 132 229 (24 hours)
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Reducing heat related illness during the warmer months Heat related illnesses can be a major risk factor, especially during the warmer months. They can potentially be life threatening and those who have chronic medical/physical conditions are at a higher risk. Please speak to your doctor for advice.
What can I do to minimise my risk? - Take it easy - Pay attention to weather reports
What causes heat related illness:
What symptoms should I look for?
- Dehydration
- Hot/dry skin
- Lack of airflow
- Paleness
- Sun exposure
- Rapid heart beat
- Hot and crowded conditions
- Muscle cramps
- Bushfires
- Nausea & Vomiting - Disorientation & confusion - Fainting
- Speak to your doctor - Reduce caffeine and alcohol - Stay cool and indoors where possible - Wear light clothing - Stay in the shade - Apply sunscreen when outdoors (even if it is overcast) - Use fans, wet towels etc to stay cool
Meet the team… 5 Minutes with Background After 8 years of retail management, I decided to follow my dream of a career in Community Health. I went back to school and completed a Bachelor of Health Science at Monash University; I landed my first job at Greater Eastern Primary Health (now Eastern Medicare Local) and from there I transitioned into the position of Corporate Health and Wellness at Bupa of which I was there for 2 years. Windermere
Name Joelle Opperman Role Case Manager/ Facilitator
Disability News Summer 2014
Following a brief stint working with Windermere to deliver the WorkHealth program, I knew this is where I wanted to work. I officially began in my role as Case Manager/facilitator in August, and so far it’s been amazing. There is no better feeling than waking up each morning knowing that I not only have a supportive and positive workplace, but through my role I am able to
engage with a variety of people, and ultimately make a positive difference in their everyday lives. I look forward to spending many years at Windermere and continuing this wonderful work. Outside of Windermere I enjoy being active and you will often find me of an evening at the gym or playing cardio tennis. For me nothing beats a weekend of football (Go Dees!), or bike riding and taking part in funruns around Melbourne My biggest achievement this year was running the City 2 Surf in Sydney with my partner, and I’m keen to go back again for more in 2015. In the meantime I have signed up for the 10km Susan Women’s Fun Run in December and my ultimate goal is to achieve a personal best time.
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Our Support Services
Need flexible support? Windermere’s Disability Services Flexible Support Packages are allocated based on Priority of Need rather than the length of time you have waited for a service.
How does the Priority Needs Register work?
What does my Flexible Support Package fund?
The length of time a person waits for a service depends
Flexible Support Packages can only be used to fund
on the assessed level of their need in comparison to
services and items that are disability specific and must
the assessed level of needs of others on the Priority
be allocated to the person receiving funding only.
Needs Register.
Windermere requires a letter of recommendation from
With our service region sitting in the ‘growth corridor’ of Casey and Cardinia, we are currently experiencing an increased demand for requests of assistance, with no additional funding available to meet the increase. If your circumstances or rneeds change please call Disability Intake on 9705-3200 to update your details.
suitable medical professionals prior to purchasing any items of equipment. Our Flexible Support Packages are short term and episodic, meaning we are unfortunately unable to fund items such as continence or respite on an ongoing basis, although we can fund these for a short time Please speak with your allocated Case Manager who can help connect you with other local services that can assist with these matters.
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Do you have an individual support package/or similar individualised funding? Would you like to access a variety of services from one provider rather than running between services to get the find the support you need? Is navigating the service system, coordinating service bookings and managing issues too much for you to manage on your own? Windermere Disability Services have been providing fee for service case management to consumers with individualised funding for over 5 years.
How does it all work?
Need Financial Intermediary Support?
Consumers are allocated their own case manager
Windermere can help, by:
who will help you implement your funding plan; manage bookings and assist with any service issues which may arise.
• Holding and monitoring your ISP funding • Processing payment of invoices as authorisedby you
Windermere can assist with;
• Providing financial reconciliation to you and DHS annually
• Coordinate complex supports • Support to resolve crisis situations • Budgeting & life planning
How much does it cost?
• Parenting skills/training
Our fees are consistent with DHS unit cost and the NDIS pricing schedule.
• Build capacity and resilience • High intensity case support (higher unit price, please discuss with the Manager or Team Leader)
To discuss your needs and for a full copy of our terms and conditions contact Windermere Disability Services on 9705 3200.
Have you heard about the Continence Support Service? The Continence Support Service has been set up by the Victorian State Government to assist children aged between 5-15 years, who have a disability and who also have bladder and /or bowel issues. Disability News Summer 2014
The purpose of the service is to: (1) Provide a continence assessment; and (2) Provide financial assistance to those families (who have a child with a disability and incontinence) for the purchase of continence products (disposable only).
Please note that whilst there is currently a waitlist for providing funding, the continence clinics can assist with providing strategies to help your child become continent. For further information, an application form or any general questions regarding the service please contact: Teresa Gibson on 03 9705 3200 or email ContinenceSS@windermere.org.au
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Autism Spectrum Disorder Kit turned interactive, thanks to Telstra “Consistency is the key to working successfully with someone who has an Autism Spectrum Disoder; this app will allow carers to enter and update personalised information securely, quickly and easily. The easy share option provides comfort in the knowledge that all information will be the most up to date”. Tracey Millen Early Intervention & Disability Services Manager
Earlier this year Windermere pioneered a DIY behavioural toolkit, which gathers information about a person’s individual Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) related needs and behaviours and provides simple ideas about meeting those needs and preventing particular behaviours. According to the Department of Human Services, statistics show that 55,000 Victorians currently live with ASD. Some people may be able to live relatively normal lives, however others may have an accompanying learning disability and require continued specialist support. Whilst the DIY paper based kit provides a great resource it is limited in functionality for ongoing use. So when Telstra recently presented Windermere with the fantastic
opportunity to turn the kit into a dynamic and live mobile app we jumped at the chance.
available to everyone for the greater good of the disability sector.
Over two days, Windermere staff Tracey Millen (Early Intervention & Disability Services Manager) and Amanda Brass (Design Coordinator), sat with a talented team of technical experts coordinated by Tesltra, brainstorming ideas to turn the paper based tool into an interactive app. The ideas developed quickly and at the end of the two day intensive conference, the Telstra team showcased their collaboration and innovation to over 500 Telstra business clients.
Windermere are pleased to announce that Telstra have since committed to fulfilling the app development through to launch, as well as generously donating $5000 to support our programs.
Available in three different versions, the app which is due for launch in 2015, is not just for Windermere consumers, but
Are you looking for a flexible job working from home? Are you great with children and enjoy helping them grow and learn? Do you like the idea of earning up to $70k pa?
Become a Windermere Family Day Care Educator today Windermere provides Family Day Care Educators with access to the training and support they need to be successful. All of our Educators are required to have a Cert III in Early Childhood Education & Care - if you’re not yet qualified then speak to one of our team about working while you study!
Apply today and start work in 2015! To find out more or to apply visit www.windermere.org.au or phone (03) 9705 3200 Currently recruiting areas Bayside, Port Phillip and Cardinia
Seeking expressions of interest!
Do you want the chance to directly affect your services? Windermere Disability Services is currently seeking expressions of interest for the
Consumer Consultative Committee. The committee comprises of people who are currently accessing services, or who are on our Priority Needs Register to access a program through Disability Services. The role of the committee is to provide support feedback about how Disability Services are implemented and Windermere’s policies and procedures. We would also seek your ideas and recommendations for improvements. Meetings are held monthly on Tuesday evenings and run for 1.5hrs. Any costs incurred as a result of attending the meetings, such as travel, respite care, attendant care, interpreting costs etc will be reimbursed to you.
For more information please contact Disability Intake on 9705 3200
Useful Contacts Department of Human Services Intake & Response Team 1300 131 079 Providing information and support to people with disabilities & their carers.
Alfred Health Carer Services 1800 052 222 www.carersouth.org.au Providing carers with information and support (business hours) and emergency respite (24 hours)
Home & Community Care (HACC) services respite/personal care/home maintenance
City of Casey
9705 5200 City of Greater Dandenong Information & Referral worker
8571 5502 Shire of Cardinia (MECWA care)
5941 5454
Association for Children with a Disability The Disability Team
1800 654 013
Manager: Tracey Millen
www.acd.org.au
Team Leader: Kylie White Case Managers/ Facilitat ors: Jenni Harvey, Nicole Thomas, Julie Pie rce, Cheryle Koesemans, Jo Opperman, Samanth a Liston & Talia Dow Consumer Response Offi cer : Selina Starvaggi Continence Support Sch eme, Dry Nights and FaHSCIA programs: Teresa Gibson If you have any suggestio ns for the upcoming dis ability newsletter or general feedback ple ase let us know by conta cti ng the disability intake worker on 970532 00
Disability News Summer 2014
Advocacy & support for families of children with a disability, run by volunteers who are parents of children with a disability.
Companion card 1800 650 611 www.companioncard.org.au Companion Card promotes the rights of people with a disability, who require a companion, to fair ticketing at Victorian events and venues.
Carers Australia 1800 242 636 Short-term counselling, emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families 7
Windermere and WECAN merge to support Gippsland children For almost 25 years, West Gippsland Early Intervention for Children with Additional Needs (WECAN) have been working to provide support to families with young children with special needs or living with a disability. Windermere Child & Family Services have also been providing Early Childhood Development Services to families across Melbourne’s South-East and is already established within the Baw Baw region, offering access to other essential support services and programs to the greater Warragul community. After more than 24 months of planning, preparation and commitment, Windermere and WECAN are delighted to announce the successful merger between the two organisations. Under the careful leadership of Windermere’s Early Intervention & Disability Services Manager, Tracey Millen, the team from West Gippsland will now form an important
Interested in other Windermere news and events?
Jump online:
windermere.org.au
component of Windermere’s service provision in the Warragul area. “The team at Windermere are very excited to have the 11 employees from WECAN join us. It’s a fantastic opportunity for Windermere to expand our services into the Gippsland region and do so with localised knowledge and expertise.”, said Ms Millen. To celebrate the union between the two organisations, a garage sale and mini community fun day was held on Saturday 25th October, at the Windermere WECAN office in Warragul. The event, generously supported by local organisation Bakers Delight Warragul & WECAN families and friends, who donated raffle prizes, baked and volunteered their time, raised over $1500 of much needed funds; helping us to continue delivery of best practice interventions.
End of year closure information Windermere Child & Family Services will be closed from 4pm Wednesday 24th December 2014 to Thursday 1st January 2015 inclusive. If you are not a current Windermere client & require disability specific assistance contact DHS information and referral on 1300 131 079.
If you are a current Windermere client please speak to your case manager in the next few weeks to ensure all respite & continence orders are placed.
For urgent respite support during the Christmas period phone Alfred Health Carer Services (Formerly CRCC) on 1800 052 222.
Windermere and the Disability Team would like to wish you and your family a very happy festive season and a prosperous and safe 2015.
Please note that Windermere Disability Services will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 24th December returning Monday 5th January. At all times during the year you will be notified in advance and in writing if your case manager is taking planned holidays. Should you have an urgent matter to deal with whilst your case manager is away please call 9705 3200 and ask to speak with the Disability Intake Worker who will do their best to assist you.