Issue 122
15 December 2008
Season’s greetings from my office and I, and congratulations on your great work this year to improve the lives of, and empower, people with disability, their families and carers. I am proud of our efforts over the last year. The Government has:
worked collaboratively with state and territory Ministers on a new National Disability Agreement which will improve and expand services for people with disability, their families and carers. Under the new agreement the Commonwealth is providing the States and Territories an additional $1.3 billion in funding over five years, including $901 million from the Disability Assistance Package and an additional $408 million to help with reform and to provide the highest ever level of indexation. The Commonwealth commitment to the agreement is $5.3 billion over 5 years. The reform of the disability service system will create an effective, efficient and equitable disability services system with a focus on timely, person- centred approaches and lifelong planning
conducted a national consultation on the development of a National Disability Strategy. The Strategy will include a national policy statement setting the directions and priorities for the development of legislation, policy and financing of disability services. This includes the development of consistent accessible parking schemes around Australia
established a new Council has to assist in the development and monitoring of the National Disability Strategy. The National People with Disabilities and Carer Council provides advice to Government on issues affecting people with disability and carers
taken action to assist pensioners with the cost of living pressures through a payment of $1,400 to single pensioners and $2,100 to couples, providing them with immediate financial help in the lead up to comprehensive reform of the pension system. This is the first time lump sum payments include Disability Support Pensioners
ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—one of the first Western countries to do so—and supported the election of Professor Ron McCallum to the United Nations Committee for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
tabled draft Disability Standards for Access to Premises, providing greater certainty for people with disability as well as industry, and will cover new publicly accessible buildings and those that are being significantly upgraded
allowed people on the Disability Support Pension to volunteer to look for work without risking losing their pension in new job capacity assessments—we are already seeing a modest increase in disability pensioners seeking employment assistance through the Disability Employment Network
rolled out 250 new places in the re-branded Australian Disability Enterprises
held regular meetings with employers to obtain a commitment to improving employment of people with disability
ensured that families can now make appointments to see Autism Advisors who are the gateway to early intervention funding. The Autism Advisor Program aims to establish up to 40 autism advisors in the 2008-09 financial year
offered membership of FaHCSIA’s Early Intervention Service Provider Panel to over 100 organisations across Australia
delivered funding to Playgroups Australia to establish 150 Playgroups nationally over the next four years.
Over the last year, on behalf of the Minister, I have met with over 500 interested groups and has listened to, spoken with, and presented to, over 35,000 people with disability, carers, advocates, and members of the community across Australia.
If I haven’t met you yet, I am sure I will soon.
Once again, season’s greetings and best wishes for a relaxing and restorative Christmas break.
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On behalf of the staff from Disability Participation Program Management staff, I would like to wish you and your families a very happy and safe festive season.
2008 has been a big year for the sector, especially with the recent re-banding to Australian Disability Enterprises. I am proud of what FaHCSIA has delivered for the sector this year and would like to recap on some of the initiatives that have been achieved with the assistance of Australian Disability Enterprises. I particularly want to highlight the Quality Strategy Toolkit which was designed and trialled with representatives of the disability employment sector in the early part of 2008. It provides a step-by-step guide to Quality Assurance, covering the three key components of the Quality Strategy: Complaints and Referrals, Continuous Improvement and Quality Assurance.
Another important achievement was the rollout of 278 new supported employment places in areas of high need and the 500 places to high performing services. Further, I think you would agree that the inaugural Disability Business Services Excellence Awards were a huge success and I look forward to receiving a bumper number of entries for the Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Awards in 2009.
In June 2008 the Australian Government provided each Australian Disability Enterprises with an extra payment of $2,500 to assist with the marketing of their products and services. This amounts to a commitment of $525,000 nationally and was complimented with the release of a Do–It-Yourself Marketing Kit for Australian Disability Enterprises. Many of you would have attended the highly successful marketing workshops that the Department commissioned over recent months.
More recently we formed the Case Based Funding and Red Tape Reduction Reference Group. The CBF reference group was developed as a recommendation of the CBF review process to develop strategies to improve take-up of vocational education and training among supported employees, engage in the reduction of red tape and administration simplification, and form a strategic focus and or vision on business service positioning for the next five to ten years.
It will be important for Australian Disability Enterprises to harness the opportunities arising from the new exemption in the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines provides. The Department will be spreading the message to our colleagues in other departments about the vast array of quality products and services that can be delivered by Australian Disability Enterprises but it is up to you to make the connections with various departments. The exemptions in the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines which took effect on 1 December 2008 allow Australian Government Departments and agencies to undertake simple procurement processes from Australian Disability Enterprises that offer value for money.
I wish to thank all the providers who were involved in delivering these various achievements throughout 2008, and my team and I look forward to working with the entire sector again in 2009.
FaHCSIA offices will be closed across Australia from midday Wednesday 24 December 2008, re-opening on Friday 2 January 2009. The first issue of disAbility e-news for the New Year will be distributed late January.
We look forward to keeping you informed about disability issues in the New Year. Until then, we hope you have a great holiday!
Anthony Bartolo
Section Manager
Participation Program Management
Disability Participation and Reform Branch
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International Day of People with Disability is a United Nations sanctioned day that unites people around the world in celebrating and acknowledging the achievements and contributions of people with disability. It is held annually on 3 December and this year it was marked by over 680 community celebrations across Australia. The theme for this year’s International Day of People with Disability was ‘Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us’.
The Minister for Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs the Hon Jenny Macklin, officially launched the day at a media event on the lawns of Parliament House. The event was also attended by the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, the Hon Bill Shorten, MP.
That evening the second annual National Disability Awards were held in the Great Hall at Parliament House. Among the inspirational Award recipients and finalists are authors, sportspeople, musicians, educators, artists and public speakers. All working tirelessly to raise awareness of people with disability and make a real difference in the lives of others.
The Awards highlighted a handful of high achievers whose stories inspired everyone attending the Awards. This year FaHCSIA received over 240 nominations with 15 inspirational people selected as finalists.
The award recipients and finalists are:
Go Getter Award
Recipient: Amethyst Barnbrook
Finalist: Glenn Corbett
Young Community Contribution Award
Recipient: Sarah Cullen
Finalists: Sam Broughton, Ping Lian Yeak
Community Contribution Award
Recipient: Bill Bradley
Finalists: Mark Bagshaw, Bobbie Blackson, Greg Killeen
Inclusion Award
Recipient: Katherine Fisher
Finalists: Sarah Barton,
Alan Robertson,
Pat Rix
Personal Achievement Award
Recipient: Anne McDonald
Finalist: Janice Daisley
For more information about International Day of People with Disability and the National Disability Awards please visit www.idpwd.com.au.
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The National Disability Services’ Quality Strategy is being developed in partnership between state, territory and Commonwealth governments to promote and drive a nationally consistent approach to improving the quality of services provided under the new National Disability Agreement, with a focus on improving outcomes for people who use these services.
A project team has been established in the Department of Human Services, Victoria to lead the development of the National Disability Services’ Quality Strategy, and will work with FaHCSIA to seek ideas and feedback on how a National Disability Services’ Quality Strategy might work.
Key considerations that will inform a National Disability Services’ Quality Strategy include how each jurisdiction is currently implementing the National Standards for Disability Services, the ways in which service quality is monitored and improved and measurement of the value of outcomes for people with disability, by the broader Australian community.
More information about the National Disability Services’ Quality Strategy will be included in future editions of disAbility e- news.
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On 4 December the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) audit of Disability Employment Services was tabled in Parliament.
The two major criteria for the audit are whether:
FaHCSIA and DEEWR effectively planned, managed and implemented policy for the provision of specialist disability employment services under the current CSTDA
FaHCSIA and DEEWR met relevant reporting requirements for the specialist disability employment services they were respectively responsible for under CSTDA III
The report recognises that the period of the third CSTDA 2002 – 2007 (extended to 2008) has been characterised by many fundamental changes to the disability employment services delivery model including:
quality assessment changes
funding model reform
changes to eligibility criteria
types of service provision
the streaming methods used to place jobseekers.
The report states that; “During the third CSTDA FaHCSIA and DEEWR have responded to the changing environment and effectively planned, managed and implemented policy initiatives in the disability employment sector.”
It goes on to highlight the departments successes in:
supporting the introduction of JCA’s
the success of CBF in achieving employment outcomes for more clients, particularly in business services
the successful introduction of the quality assurance strategy
improvements in contract monitoring and reporting frameworks.
The report makes particular mention of FaHCSIA efforts to recognise that peoples situations can change and its efforts to address the barriers to movement from supported to open employment through measures such as guaranteeing a place in an Australian Disabiility Enteprise up to two years after clients commence trialling DEN services.
You can find a copy of the report at the ANAO website: www.anao.gov.au.
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The Case Based Funding Helpdesk will be closing for the Christmas – New Year holiday from 12.30pm on 24 December and will reopen again on Monday 5 January 2008.
Case Based Funding payments for the period 22 to 31 December are planned to be brought forward and paid around 22 Dcember.
The Case Based Funding Team wishes you all a Happy and Safe Christmas-New Year Holiday.
If you have any queries regarding CBF payments, please contact the Case Based Funding Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or at Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au.
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Many Australian Disability Enteprises will be closing down for the Christmas holiday period. This is a period of involuntary leave for supported employees and is subject to the two month suspension requirement on FOFMS. As with the usual suspension rules you should suspend a case when you become aware that the employee will be absent for longer then two calendar months.
Please refer to the following examples:
Your Australian Disability Enterprise closes on Friday 19 December and re-opens on Monday 2 February. All cases that cease work on 19 December and return on 2 February do not require Suspension as this is less than two calendar months.
Your Australian Disability Enterprise closes on Friday 19 December and re-opens on Monday 2 February. Any employees that have advised they will still be absent after 19 February need their cases Suspended. Any employees returning to work prior to 19 February do not need their cases Suspended.
Your Australian Disability Enterpise closes over Christmas on Friday 19 December and re-opens on Monday 19 January. A supported employee has informed you that they will be going interstate during this period and does not know when they will be returning – the supported employee does not have to be suspended over your service’s Christmas shutdown. However, the additional leave will be subject to the usual Suspension rules and you must suspend the supported employee when you become aware that they will be absent for greater then one calendar month from the date your service re-opens on 19 January.
Should you have any further queries relating to Case suspensions during the Christmas period please contact the CBF Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or at Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au.
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The process for creating a client record on FOFMS has changed recently, as you can now add an existing client record to your organisation on FOFMS using both the CRN and DOB of a new client.
The new client locator function will allow Australian Disability Enteprises to associate an existing client record to their organisation if there is no active disability case already existing in FOFMS.
If there is already an active case in FOFMS for the client, the new functionality will provide Australian Disability Enteprises with an error immediately when trying to create a new case. Business Services can then contact the CBF Helpdesk to assist with starting a case.
Provided below is a Step-by-Step on the process of creating a client record on FOFMS.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | You must check that there is not already a client record in FOFMS linked to your organisation. To do this, navigate to the Clients screen. Click Query, enter search criteria (i.e. Last Name, CRN), and click Go. If there is no Client Record go to Step 2. |
| 2 | On the Clients screen, click New.
|
| 3 | Fill in the Centrelink Reference Number (CRN) and Date of Birth. Click OK |
| 4 |
If the box that appears after you click OK displays the name of the employee you are trying to enter this means that the employee already has a client record on FOFMS. It is important to make sure you tick the box in the left hand column to ensure that you are able to view the client record that already exists on FOFMS for the employee. Not ticking the box means this association will not happen. Once the client is selected and the box is ticked, click OK |
| 5 | The client is now added to your client screen
|
| 6 | Click on the client’s last name to take you to the Client Record to complete mandatory client information including Address, Primary Disability and Australian Residency. Note: These details need to be completed on the Client Record prior to creating a case. |
| 7 | After the client record is accessed and updated, you will need to contact the CBF Helpdesk to have a case created. |
IMPORTANT: You must ensure prior to creating or accessing a Client Record on FOFMS that you obtained Client Consent. The DEA Funding Agreement – Terms and Conditions – Part D – 15 provides information on your obligations in respect of personal information.
If you have any queries regarding the new client association function please contact the Case Based Funding Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or at Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au.
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This is just a reminder that the amount entered for wages needs to be the Weekly Wage, not an hourly rate.
We ask that Australian Disability Enteprises please review any data they believe to be incorrect and adjust this figure.
The Case Based Funding Helpdesk now has a step-by-step guide on how to update these new fields in FOFMS.
If you require a copy of the step-by-step guide or have any further questions please contact the Case Based Funding helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or at Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au.
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Ollie’s lollies factory outlet opened at McCallum Industries in mid September, 2008. With the assistance of capital funding from the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). McCallum has established another business unit at McCallum Industries to be known as Ollie’s lollies.
McCallum received funding from the Department, after completing a feasibility study, to undertake a pilot market research project which concluded in late January 2008 which reaffirmed the viability of a confectionary business.
An important component of the business is the establishment of Ollie’s lollies Factory Outlet at the front of the existing McCallum Industries factory at 1820 Sturt Street. The factory now has a clean room at the rear to allow supported employees to pack bulk confectionery which McCallum will buy in from confectionery wholesalers. The revamped car park allows customers easy access to the Factory Outlet.
The Factory Outlet is open Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. A new delivery van is now available for the deliveries of Ollie’s lollies around Ballarat.
Ollie’s Lollies now have 22 lines of confectionery and this could eventually include up to 50 varieties. In the future Ollie’s Lollies plan to develop one or two of its lines which will be specific to Ballarat, and to manufacture these products on site.
For more information about Ollie’s Lollies visit www.ollieslollies.com.au
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Highpoint Industries, a division of leading Victorian disability service provider Scope, was awarded best not-for-profit business in Western Metropolitan Melbourne at the 2008 Greater Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Business Excellence Awards in October.
Scope Australian Disability Enteprises General Manager Julie McKay said the award paid tribute to the team’s immense effort to overcome challenges to become increasingly commercially savvy.
"This award has reminded me that what we achieve everyday really is amazing,’’ Ms McKay said.
"Our ethos is quite simple: We always play to an individual’s strength, focusing on what they can achieve, rather than what their disability may limit them to do,’’ she said.
"We do believe that disability means possibility.’’
The business has an evenly balanced focus of providing employment-related services for people with disability, and high quality packaging and assembly work for commercial customers.
Scope Chief Executive Officer Diana Heggie welcomed the award saying it recognised the dedicated team’s collaborative achievements.
"We are tremendously honoured and proud of Scope’s latest accomplishment,’’ Ms Heggie said.
"This award exemplifies what the dedicated Scope team strives for in all that they do – to create opportunities for people with disabilities to reach their potential. For many, this includes having meaningful employment opportunities,’’ she said.
"This award also recognises the vision, passion and energy that have been invested by all at Highpoint Industries to position it as a leader in its field,’’ Ms Heggie said.
"We are thrilled by what we have achieved to this point, and excited about what Highpoint Industries will continue to accomplish in the future.’’
This is the second year that Highpoint Industries has been recognised for its excellence in the not-for-profit business sector, after taking out the same award in 2006.The judging criteria included providing a sound business plan, strong financial management, commitment to ensuring the business minimised its effect on the environment and strong leadership.
The award winning business is funded by the Australian Government under the Disability Employment Assistance Program to provide supported employment to people with disability as well as achieve its commercial mandate.Its major aim is to be a leading and sustainable Australian Disability Enteprises organisation, providing a high quality service and value-exchange outcome for customers.
This is being achieved through offering employment that enriches the lives of almost 100 people with disability in the Greater Western Region, building customer loyalty and working with business partners who truly value social and ethical responsibility.
For the past 60 years Scope has been committed to empowering children and adults with disability to reach their potential Scope is committed to overcoming the personal, structural and attitudinal barriers that prevent those with disability from participating in community life and works to make our community more inclusive, more accessible and more welcoming.
For further information about Scope visit www.scopevic.org.au
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