Hi everyone, hope the holidays went well for you and your family! I have quite a lot of information about NDIS and occupational therapy, so please make sure you scroll, right through to the end!!

An update from NDIA re delays:

The NDIA has been receiving a lot of requests from participants seeking changes to their NDIS plan, which is causing delays. The NDIA has put on additional staff to manage this. If your families want to make a change to their plan, please ask them to complete the change of details or change of situation form located on the NDIS website. It is a good idea to contact your local area coordinator or early childhood partner so they are aware of your application. A hard copy of your form can be dropped off at the NDIS office in Boronia. You will find this NDIS office in a shared space with Services Australia at

3 Williams Street, Boronia. It is open Mondays – Fridays, 8.30am – 4.30pm.

Did you know that there is a NDIS Connections Desk available at your local library?

You do not need to make a booking and can ask any questions about accessing the NDIS, your child's plan or any general questions!

The NDIS Connections Desk will be at:

at Bayswater Library on the first Wednesday of the month, 10am - 12pm

at Croydon Library on Friday May 10, 10am - 12pm

at Healesville Library on Thursday May 16, 10am - 12pm

NDIS Overview of the Participants Journey –

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) invites people with disability, families and carers to attend information sessions to learn more about the participant journey at the NDIS. Three different sessions will be delivered, face to face over a day exploring different topics. You are welcome to attend all three, or just one.

These free sessions will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf on Tuesday May 7.

Making connections and applying to the NDIS 10.00am - 11.00am AEST

The session will cover:

How the NDIS supports people with disability
Role of the Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
Community connections
Community connections plans
How community connections work

Creating an NDIS plan12.00pm - 1.00pm AEST

The session will cover:

The principle we follow to create NDIS plans
Reasonable and necessary supports
Preparing for a planning meeting or conversation
Plan durations and other guidance

Using and changing an NDIS plan2.00pm - 3.00pm AEST

The session will cover:

What to expect at a plan implementation meeting
Support budgets and how this funding can be used
How to manage the plan budget
How changes are made to NDIS plans
Plan variations and plan reassessments

Click here to register:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/events/10029-melbourne-overview-participants-journey

Association for Children with a Disability Workshops

The recent NDIS Review recommended changes to increase support available outside of the NDIS, which will be called Foundational Supports.

The government is starting to design what they will look like, and while this is still in development, ACD wants families to have their say.

ACD is holding two free online Have Your Say sessions to hear from you about what's currently working, what's missing, and what's needed to better support children with disability.

They'd like to hear your thoughts on how allied health therapies can be delivered in partnership with early learning and school, what good peer support looks like for families raising children with disability, and how to help families gain the skills to best support their children. $50 vouchers are offered if you attend either of these sessions.

To have your say on this topic on Tuesday May 7 at 10am, please click on this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/have-your-say-building-better-support-for-children-tue-7-may-1000am-registration-781768900827?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

To have your say on this topic on Wednesday May 8 at 7.30pm, please click on this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/have-your-say-building-better-support-for-children-wed-8-may-730pm-registration-781769031217?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

ACD workshop: Teens and Beyond (free online workshops)

If you have a child aged 13+, you may be wondering how best to support them with school and post-school options, puberty, and growing independence. To view this short video about the workshop, click this link: https://vimeo.com/918125183/0b9b2adc11

Each workshop consists of three consecutive sessions over three weeks.

This three-part workshop brings together the resources and information you'll need to support your child now and into the future. Topics include:

Financial support
Getting the right NDIS support for your teen
School and post-school options
Wellbeing: friendships, communication, behaviour support and good mental health

For further information re dates and registration, please click the link below, scroll down the page and look for Teens and Beyond

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/association-for-children-with-a-disability-7575063849

Are you looking for an Occupational Therapist in our local area?

Noah's Ark in Ringwood are currently accepting bookings:

https://noahsarkinc.jotform.com/232971727143863

Teaching & Learning