Partnering with participants – Q9

Panel members

• Kylie Walker (KW) – Owner, Healthy Emporium
• Danni Bament (DB) – Managing Director, Aspire Recovery Connection
• Elizabeth Hickey (EH) – Support Coordinator, AFA Support Coordination
• Zena Dyson (ZD) – Specialist Support Coordinator/Team Leader, Esteem Care Services
• Aylin Taylor (AT) – Support Coordinator, Tailored Options 

What are some alternative funding streams and supports that participants and their family members may be able to access via mainstream services (e.g., Medicare)?

KW -

• Care plan
• Carers Gateway
• Young care grant
• Fair play vouchers
• Electricity grant
• NRAS

DB - Complex/chronic health care plans from a GP can usually include physiotherapy, podiatry, and psychology, as well as community nursing services.

EH - As a support coordinator, one of the biggest things we can do is support participants to access a range of support and know what is available – both within the NDIS, and also from a range of other places, including government and non-government supports.

I have found the best way to keep up to date is to participate in a variety of networking opportunities. Different networks will focus on different supports. Make sure you’re part of the local email lists, join in the speed dating events, be a member of your professional association, and complete ongoing training and participate in communities of practice.

Some examples of the supports that I have found to be the most useful for my clients include the local government housing support service, the rental tenancy support hotline, and Centrelink social worker supports.

ZD - Participants with specific disabilities, for example blindness, multiple sclerosis, deafness, diabetes, etc, have particular organisations associated with their disabilities where some of their supports are already funded.

Mainstream supports, such as psychology, dietitian, physiology, etc, can be accessed through mental health plans or health care plans endorsed by their GPs where they are referred to the appropriate allied health professionals.

AT -

• Psychology is a big one, any form of allied health can be accessed – especially if covered under Medicare. However, there is a usual out of pocket expense to the participant (discuss with the participant if they’re able to afford it – some can and are happy to pay the gap).
• Always research and see what’s available in mainstream services.