Annual Report 2012 - Lifeline Darling Downs

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Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd 2012 Annual Report Family Support Program by Elysia Saunders, Family Support Worker Family Support Program is a flexible, responsive method of supporting families who have child/children with a disability (as defined by section 5 of the Disabilities Services Act 1992). Supports and services are provided to assist families build their capacity to manage as a family and care for their child/children. The aim of the Family Support Program is to support the family with the extra costs of caring for a child with a disability and to build the family's capacity to function more effectively as a family unit around the caring of the child/children with a disability. This is achieved by two means: Planning and Coordinating Supports The Family Support Worker works with the family to identify their current and future needs and to make decisions about supports that are most appropriate. Discretionary Funds Discretionary funds are used to purchase a range of goods and services to meet the family's needs around caring for their child/children with a disability. Discretionary funding is based on a Support Plan, which identifies the family's goals and support needs and provides detailed costing over and identified period of time e.g. 6 months. Each support plan will allocate a portion of discretionary funds for that time and period and identify other supports the family maybe accessing from other sources and supports. The Team Family Support Worker - Elysia Saunders (commenced November 2011). Administration Officer - Betty Jones (commenced January 2012). The Family Support Program is situated within Cluster 5 with Senior Practitioner, Anne Lee. The Family Support Program is State Government funded therefore sits with the State Funded Program Managers, Kate Greener and Donna Lacey. Achievements There are currently 19 families being supported by the Family Support Program and two registered vacancies with Disability Services. There have been in excess of 230 client contacts this year. In the past twelve months, 38 support plans have been developed. The families currently on the program already have other support services in place prior to current Family Support Worker commencing. This is a huge advantage for families and the Family Support Worker in continuity of care and support. Maintaining relationships and networks that have been previously achieved that benefits the clients and the program. 30 29
30 Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd 2012 Annual Report The whole of organisation restructure and the hierarchy of support it has provided has proved to be very beneficial for this program. It has allowed for clearer boundaries for staff and clients and any issues are dealt with quickly. This year we have developed and maintained electronic client files for improved accessibility and accountability. The Family Support Program participated in an annual audit and recertification which was achieved in May. The Discretionary Funds Guidelines was reviewed so clearer guidelines are available to clients and staff. Whole of Organisation Meeting was much appreciated by rural staff and allowed for a sense of belonging and a space for sharing information. 25 families outside of the 19 families we support were successful with Non Recurrent Funding submissions; this funding was used for various items to help make life a little easier for the families. Training undertaken by staff to build skills so that appropriate support can be given to clients: 1. Cultural Awareness 2. Child Safety 3. Bringing up Great Kids 4. Crisis Prevention 5. Person Centred Thinking 6. Case Management Skill Set - current Challenges The geographical area that is required to be covered by the program is very large and can be challenging in being able to provide the support that is essential to the families on the program. Sourcing accommodation when conducting home visits in areas that have oil and gas industries is a huge issue. Filling vacancies on the program has been extremely challenging as the process for referrals from Department of Disability Services has changed considerably and clients can now only be referred by the Department. This has meant that we have had several vacancies unfilled for some time. Future Directions Reassessment of eligibility for current families of the Family Support Program. Continue to support, advocate and empower families who are accessing the Family Support Program. 31
Page 1 and 2: Restructure and Asset Renovations A
Page 3 and 4: 2 bOARD OF DIREcTORS 1 OcTObER 2011
Page 5 and 6: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Whole of O
Page 7 and 8: 6 Community Resilience Gavin Quinn
Page 9 and 10: 8 Chairman's Report Lifeline Darlin
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Page 35 and 36: 34 Flood Counselling Lifeline Darli
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Page 47 and 48: 46 From Left: Tamara Willis; Bobett
Page 51 and 52: 50 Challenges Lifeline Darling Down
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Annual Report 2012 - Lifeline Darling Downs

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