About my future my choice
- my future my choice background
- Objectives
- Eligibility and assistance
- Guiding principles
- Advisory Committee
- Contact details
my future my choice background
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) announced an agreement on 10 February 2006 to reduce the number of younger people with a disability living in residential aged care (RAC) facilities. A bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and the State has been signed that commits $60.2 million in joint funding for Victoria over five years.
The COAG commitment acknowledges the increasing demand from younger people with a disability for specialist age appropriate services to meet their ongoing needs and aspirations. The aim is to reduce the number of younger people with a disability living in RAC.
Objectives
my future my choice aims to provide better living options for younger people in, or at risk of entry to, RAC. This will be achieved through the development of innovative support models that respond to complex clinical and health care needs, while also providing lifestyle and social opportunities that younger people can identify with.
The initiative has three strategic objectives:
To provide alternative supports
Provide better living options for younger people with a disability in residential aged care settings, where it can be made available and where this is what the younger person chooses
To enhance disability supports within RAC
Promote a more age appropriate response to those younger people with a disability who choose to remain in residential aged care, or for whom residential aged care remains the most suitable supported accommodation option available
To minimise future admissions to RAC
Provide alternative responses, where possible, for younger people with a disability who are at risk of admission to residential aged care
The initial priority is to achieve this for people aged less than 50 years.
Eligibility and assistance
People who meet the following criteria may be able to receive assistance under my future my choice, if they:
- have a disability as defined in the Disability Act 2006
- are aged less than 50 years
- are living permanently in RAC or at risk of entry to RAC.
People are at risk of entry to RAC if they are:
- in an acute, sub-acute or rehabilitation setting with high-level chronic or complex care needs; or
- have an Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) assessment which has determined that they are eligible for recommendation to RAC.
If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances, please contact the Department of Human Services Disability Intake and Reponses Service Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm. To be connected to your regional service, call 1800 783 783 or TTY 1800 008 149.
Guiding principles
The implementation of my future my choice is underpinned by a number of important guiding principles. You can download the 
my future my choice Guiding Principles (PDF 58 KB).
Advisory Committee
An Advisory Committee with broad representation from the department, community members, Young People in Nursing Home Alliance and key stakeholder organisations meets every 6 weeks to provide specialist advice regarding critical implementation tasks and issues.
Contact details
The Department of Human Services Disability Intake and Response Service is the key point of contact for people with disabilities and their families. This service will connect you to your regional office and is available during business hours, Monday to Friday from 9am - 5pm on 1800 783 783 or TTY 1800 008.
For general enquiries, or to request materials in other languages or formats, contact:
Telephone: (03) 9096 8724
Email: myfuturemychoice@dhs.vic.gov.au