Nexus Parent Newsletter - Novita Children's Services

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Transitioningto AdultServicesNovita Soccer Clinicwith Football Federationof SA coachesNovita’s Child andAdolescent Service will holdtwo information sessionsregarding making a smoothtransition to adult disabilityservices for clients aged15 1 / 2 – 17 years of age.The sessions are aimed athelping families understandtheir choices for disabilityservices after Novita.Each session will featureguest speakers from adultdisability services, brochuresabout services plus plenty ofdiscussion and question time.SESSION TIMES ARE:Session 1Tuesday 15 September7.00pm - 9.00pmNovita Billabong,Parafield Gardens Office422 Salisbury Highway,Parafield GardensSession 2Tuesday 22 September7.00pm - 9.00pmParkview Room,Fullarton Park Centre411 Fullarton Rd, FullartonRSVP Friday 11 Septemberon 8182 1000.Sessions will be cancelled ifthere are not enough peopleinterested in attending.For information pleasecontact Novita ParafieldGardens on 8182 1000.On Tuesday 7 July ConnectABILITYhosted an exclusive soccer clinic forNovita clients aged between 8 - 12years. Amy and Michael from theFootball Federation of SA ran the clinicwith various soccer drills and a matchat the end.The 12 Novita stars who attended theclinic had a great time participating withother kids of all different abilities eventhough some reported being very sorethe next day! Each participant receiveda certificate as well as a goodie bagkindly donated by the Adelaide UnitedFootball club.Consumer ReferenceGroup FeedbackThe Consumer Reference Groupwas established earlier this year withits major task during 2009 to makerecommendations on the ways clientsand families are involved at Novitainto the future.The group consists of eight parentrepresentatives covering all serviceareas together with a client representativeand is chaired by Wendy Wake-Dyster,Director Client Services. The group has:• Provided feedback on the Group’sTerms of Reference• Highlighted areas for action fromthe consumer survey• Recommended and reviewed aConsumer Participation policy• Reviewed examples of consumerparticipation from other organisationsSincere thanks to the Football Federationof SA for providing such great coaches,and Novita staff Teya, Karen, Jo, Matthewand Roy, for setting up the hall andhelping all the kids maximise their levelof participation.If you are interested in learning moreabout the ConnectABILITY program,please contact Child and AdolescentServices child&adolescent@novita.org.auor phone 8182 1000.• Contributed to an audit of consumerparticipation at Novita, using thePrimary Care Self AssessmentTool for Community and ConsumerParticipation, developed by theNational Resource Centre forConsumer Participation in Health.Over the next three months the groupwill develop a draft model of consumerparticipation, to consider how consumerparticipation should occur at Novita. Forexample, focus and discussion groups,input to client services planning, surveysand feedback, and information for andby consumers. This work will identify howa broader range of consumers can beinvolved in one-off and ongoing planning,decision making and feedback.Please direct any queries or suggestionsto Wendy Wake-Dyster, Director ClientServices on 8243 8210 or Maria CannataExecutive Assistant on 8243 8244.4
MD Mafia ResearchMD Mafia is a social group foradolescent boys who have musculardystrophy and is provided throughNovita’s Child and Adolescent Service.A research project evaluating theMD Mafia program has now beencompleted. The research was conductedby Helen Parkyn, a Novita OccupationalTherapist, through Flinders University.Seven boys from the MD Mafia group andfour parents participated in focus groupswhich explored their experience of beingpart of MD Mafia and their views on whatMD Mafia means to them.The results have been summarised inthe following categories:MD Mafia identity: The boys shareda common view of their shared groupidentity which was “tough, blokey andscary” and related to their disability andthe activities they have undertaken.Social opportunities: MD Mafia providesan important and valued opportunity forthe boys to get out of the house, to beseparate from their parents, to meet upwith friends and enjoy new social andrecreational experiences.Independence and skill development:MD Mafia provides the opportunity forthe boys to have some independencefrom their families. This means theyhave more opportunity to develop socialskills and use skills that are required forindependence in the community. Parentssuggested that MD Mafia could have agreater focus on social and independenceskill development.Making connections, buildingrelationships: Through MD Mafia the boyshave developed good relationships witheach other and Novita staff. The boyssaid it is important that MD Mafia remainsa ‘boys only’ group.The results: The research showsthat MD Mafia plays an importantrole in supporting:• individual self developmentof participants,• a strong sense of group belongingand identity• participants development of socialskills and confidence in the widercommunity.Recommendations: For the continueddevelopment of the group the followingrecommendations have been made:• retaining the group as a ‘boys only’group for adolescents• continuing to have a focus on doingfun activities and socialisation withinthe group• participating in social activities thatare based in the community to providemore challenging opportunities todevelop social skills for and skillsfor independence.Thank you to the MD Mafia boys andparents who participated in the project.Please contact Helen Parkyn on8349 2006 for more informationabout the program evaluation.Celebrating 70 years caring for children with a disability5
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Nexus Parent Newsletter - Novita Children's Services

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