‘How Needs Assessment, Service Coordination (NASC) and Individualised/Self Directed Funding (IF) Work’

This evening is for whānau/caregivers of children and young people (primary and secondary school aged) who have a physical, intellectual, or sensory disability (or a combination of these) and who would like to hear about the funding and support available.

 Our experience is that many families are unaware of the support available and therefore miss out on what they are entitled to.

6.30-8.30pm, Tuesday Sept 27, 2022 

Venue: Onslow College Library, Burma Rd, Johnsonville. 

Amanda Shrapnell from Capital Support NASC (Needs Assessment Service Coordination) will explain the purpose of needs assessment and coordination, how the process works, who is eligible, and what kinds of funding and support are available to disabled people (including children and young people) who have a physical, intellectual or sensory disability (or a combination of these) which: 

• is likely to continue for at least 6 months 
• limits their ability to function independently, to the extent that ongoing support is required. 

Capital Support allocates government-funded disability support services and help with accessing other supports. They are contracted by the Ministry of Health to work with disabled people and their family, whānau, aiga, or carers, living in the CCDHB (Capital & Coast District Health Board) area.

Through a needs assessment process, the NASC team: 

• identify strengths and support needs 
• outline what disability support services are available 
• determine their eligibility for Ministry-funded support services.

https://www.ccdhb.org.nz/our-services/a-to-z-of-our-services/capital-support/

Karen Jeffrey from Manawanui (support and facilitation of Individualised/Self Directed Funding) will talk and answer questions about what individualised funding is, how it works and what Manawanui does. Individualised/Self Directed funding is flexible and gives the disabled person, and/or their family control of how, when and who delivers support at home and in the community using the budget allocated by the NASC. Organisations such as Manawanui hold and release the money from a person’s NASC allocated fund. They provide support to a disabled person, and/or family acting on a disabled person’s behalf, to manage the funds. The kinds of support and coaching that Manawanui provides includes help with recruiting and paying staff (a payroll system), budgeting and spending decisions, training support carers and other staff, health and safety and being a good employer.

https://manawanui.org.nz/what-we-do/

Any questions about needs assessment and Individualised Funding? Please email questions to Mitch before the meeting and he will pass them on to our speakers mitch.neilson@onslow.school.nz 

There will also be an opportunity to suggest topics/speakers for future whānau support evenings.