Changing Days Initiative Projects (2008-2009)
DHS Eastern Metropolitan Region
Agency: Yooralla
Project: The Empowering Leadership and Shifting Control project aims to develop strategies designed to enable people with a disability, their families and carers to be empowered, informed and supported to actively participate in taking lead roles in planning, making informed decisions and choices regarding how Day Services are utilised to meet the person’s interests, dreams, aspirations and needs.
DHS Contact: Stephen Minicz (Telephone: 9843 6348)
Agency: Melba Support Services
Project: The project will establish Circles of Support for a minimum of 10 people thereby enabling and safeguarding people’s ability to lead a life of their choosing and direct their supports independently of the influence of paid supports.
DHS Contact: Stephen Minicz (Telephone: 9843 6348)
Agency: Interchange Outer East
Project: To build the capacity of people with a disability, the organisation and community to enable people to enact their plans that reflects increased choice and opportunities available to them.
DHS Contact: Stephen Minicz (Telephone: 9843 6348)
DHS Southern Metropolitan Region
Agency: Outlook
Project: This project targets eleven people living in semi rural settings. Through greater participation in the planning process people will have greater choice and opportunities of the types of activities they would like to pursue.
The project aims to develop informal supports that increase flexibility and choice for service users.
DHS Contact: Chris Allen (Telephone: 9767 8727)
Agency: Scope
Project: Develop a ‘Best Practice’ model of developing one plan that considers all of the critical factors of working collaboratively to ensure that planning is directed by the person.
DHS Contact: Chris Allen (Telephone: 9767 8727)
Agency: Wallara
Project: The project will focus on five people to transition from structured Day Services to part or full time, home-based individualised lifestyles. The principles that underpin this approach include promoting quality of life community integration, one plan approach and expanding support networks.
DHS Contact: Chris Allen (Telephone: 9767 8727)
DHS Loddon Mallee Region
Agency: Murray Human Services
Project: This project aims to provide training and support for up to 45 service users to develop self advocacy and peer facilitation skills that will support them to actively participate in and direct their planning and support. This is a partnership project for all Day Service providers from across the Loddon Mallee Region.
DHS Contact: Bill Dower (Telephone: 5434 5718)
DHS Grampians Region
Agency: Stawell Intertwine
Project: This project will partner with local speech pathologists to support and build the skills of people with complex communication needs, staff and the community. The project will develop communication tools to facilitate the social integration of people with complex communication needs in the new community facility being developed through the Community Facility Redevelopment Initiative.
DHS Contact: Stephen Brown (Telephone: 5333 6945)
DHS North and West Metropolitan Region
Agency: Carinya Society
Project: The project builds on previous empowerment training undertaken to support people to develop networks in local communities. The project will apply principles of person-centred planning and community development to build the capacity of service users and their families to inform and direct their disability supports.
DHS Contact: Louise Robinson (Telephone: 9412 5475)
Agency: Broadmeadows Disability Service
Project: Innovative project in the Broadmeadows Neighborhood Renewal area that provides opportunities for people with a disability to participate in the overall scoping of the new community renewal project and to ensure that their needs are reflected in planning.
DHS Contact: Louise Robinson (Telephone: 9412 5475)
Gippsland Region
Agency: Noweyung
Project: To document the planning and community participation journeys of people with a disability for broadcast on community radio. Participants will have the opportunity to develop skills in the planning process as well as public radio. This project will also increase the profile of people with a disability in their local community. CD and DVD are to be produced.
DHS Contact: Mary Storie (Telephone: 5177 2500)
Barwon South West Region
Agency: Karingal
Project: The project will use an action research methodology to identify a range of strategies required to enable eighteen people direct their own supports and participate in the community. Participants and their support networks will be provided with comprehensive training and information to reorient their supports to be more flexible and responsive to their needs. Findings will be used to inform community links and service reorientation.
DHS Contact: Leanne Hodder (Telephone: 5226 4627)
Agency: Mulleratorong
Project: The project will provide a self-directed planning and support approach which focuses on community inclusion, education and training for people with a disability, their families and support networks. The project will focus on training in Rights and Responsibilities and Self Advocacy.
DHS Contact: Leanne Hodder (Telephone: 5226 4627)
Agency: Scope Shannon Park
Project: The project will focus on developing the communication and decision making skills of participants to enhance their ability to direct their individual plans and service provision, and promote the accessibility of community facilities as welcoming inclusive spaces.
DHS Contact: Leanne Hodder (Telephone: 5226 4627)
Hume Region
Agency: Central Access
Project: A joint regional approach led by Central Access with a broad range of project partners including seven Day Services. The project will identify and document best practice models of Day Services in the region through four community forums for service users showcasing different opportunities.
DHS Contact: Darren Saunders (Telephone: 5722 0580)