AFSA – Connecting Families

Aspect Victoria is pleased to offer our highly successful, contemporary, evidence-based three (3) day Autism specific Positive Behaviour Support Workshop in the Southern Region of Victoria (Lakes Entrance).

More than 1200 families have participated in Aspect’s Positive Behaviour Support workshops. Post workshop evaluations showed an effectiveness of the workshops, with participants reporting decreases in challenging behaviours and increases in confidence and capacity to support their children and young adults.  Link to Flyer :Workshop Flyer Lakes Entrance 2013

From Media Release 24th April 2013.
Victoria’s sporting bodies will play an integral role in providing Victorians of all abilities with an opportunity to participate in sport thanks to the Victorian Coalition Government’s ongoing commitment to increase participation by improving the Access for All Abilities Program.  Click on link to download Media release. 130424_Delahunty_-_More_sporting_opportunities_for_people_with_disability

 Aspect Victoria is pleased to offer our highly successful, contemporary, evidence-based three (3) day Autism specific Positive Behaviour Support Workshop in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria and other areas around the state. Link to information Workshop Statewide Promotion 2013 (4)

Speech, Play, Language and Training   Speech Pathology services are offering group based sessions for

Pre-School (4-5yr old) and Primary school aged children

 Download Information HERE

Download Program HERE

Download Registration HERE

Post script… these reforms are now defunct with the change to the Leadership….

From Media release: 23 Feb 2013

The Victorian Coalition Government has announced a new plan for school funding reform that will deliver more resources for disadvantaged students in Victorian government, Catholic and Independent schools.

Premier Ted Baillieu said a clear focus of the Gonski review was to improve outcomes for disadvantaged students.

“The Victorian Plan will deliver additional funding for government and non-government schools to improve support for students with significant learning needs,” Mr Baillieu said. READ Media Release HERE   READ FULL REPORT HERE

$70 Million Boost for World Class Research

Positive partnership new training sessions coming up Sessions: 4 Dec 12 9:00AM – 4:30PM
5 Dec 12 9:00AM – 4:00PM

Location: SANCTUARY LAKES, VIC
Sanctuary Lakes Function Centre
70 Greg Norman Drive
Sanctuary Lakes VIC 3030
Registration Closes: 4 Dec 12 11:00AM
Information: This is a free workshop, morning tea & lunch will be provided.

Registration opens at 8.15am http://www.positivepartnerships.com.au/

Audit Summary

Students with special learning needs have disabilities, difficulties or additional needs that make it harder for them to learn than their peers. Although the exact number of students with special learning needs in Victoria is not known, it is commonly accepted that about 20 out of every 100 students have additional needs of some sort. These needs vary significantly. Download Full Report HERE

In an email Minister Wooldridge wrote…Good News re the NDIS – following our comprehensive submission for an NDIS trial in the Barwon region last week, and subsequent discussions, this afternoon the Premier put a further proposition to the Prime Minister
regarding Victoria’s participation as a  launch site.

While we have not heard back formally from the PM, her Press Conference indicated on the basis of Victoria’s proposal she believes that the Barwon region will participate in the NDIS trial.

Please see the Premier’s statement below which outlines our position.

Regards

Mary
Press release from Premier Ted Baillieu

Today Victoria is proposing a model that improves on the Commonwealth’s NDIS trial proposal.

This afternoon I have written to the Prime Minister to offer $42 million to bring a trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to the City of Geelong, the Borough of Queenscliff, the Surf Coast Shire and the Colac- Otway Shire.

The offer has two components. Victoria is willing to increase, for the purpose of a Barwon region trial, its current average spending of $19,300 per person per year in the Barwon region to meet the Commonwealth’s benchmark of $20,779 per client per year for the 4135 people who are Victoria’s existing clients in the Barwon trial site region – an amount of around $17 million in total over three years for a trial commencing in July 2013. Read full release HERE

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Opportunity to shape new Victorian disability plan

Ensuring  people  with  a  disability can participate in community life and preparing  for  a National Disability Insurance Scheme will be the focus of the  new  Victorian  State  Disability  Plan  2013-2016,  the  Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said today.

Announcing the release of the draft plan for community consultation, Ms Wooldridge said the new plan provides a framework for government and community action to improve supports and services for people with a disability.

The  draft  plan  focuses  on  four  key  policy areas and outlines how the government proposes to:

           develop a strong foundation for learning, jobs and health for people with a disability

           protect the rights of people with a disability and promote their participation in the community

           improve access to neighbourhoods, public spaces, buildings and transport for people with a disability

     prepare Victoria to make a successful transition to a viable National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and reformed system of disability support.

“This  is an exciting opportunity to improve the way we support people with a  disability  and  to  make  sure Victoria continues to lead and drive the implementation  of the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“I  invite  input  from across the Victorian community, particularly people with  a  disability,  their  families  and  carers, advocacy groups, funded community organisations, and local government.

“We  have  already  received  great  insight into the NDIS and the National Disability  Strategy  from  people  with  a  disability, their families and carers.   I  look forward to their further contribution to help us finalise the state plan.”

The development of the plan and the consultation process is being led by the Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Community Services, Mrs Andrea Coote.

The draft plan is open for community consultation and feedback until Wednesday 11 July 2012. In accordance with the Disability Act 2006, the Victorian State Disability Plan 2013-2016 will be finalised by 1 January 2013.

For      information     on     the     consultation     process,     email statedisabilityplan@dhs.vic.gov.au,  or  call 1300 880 043 (TTY 9639 2417). Consultation  dates  and  locations,  and  copies  of  the  draft  plan are available online at: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/statedisabilityplan.

Mary Wooldridge MP
State Member for Doncaster
Minister for Mental Health, Women’s Affairs and Community Services