School News
NDIS & The Department of Education
Upcoming Information Session
Date: Wednesday 19th October
Time: 9.15am - 11.00am
Venue: Concord School - 411 Grimshaw Street, Bundoora. (Enter from back car park off Gleeson Drive).
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) information Is for students who live in North Eastern Metropolitan Area (NEMA) in receipt of the following programs/supports:
-Students with disability transport program (Specialist School Bus, taxi or conveyance allowance); and/or
-Personal care support at school (Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) funding at level 4, 5 or 6; and/or Medical Intervention Support (MIS)).
How do I know if my child is eligible for NDIS?
From October 2016, students in receipt of these programs/supports can access the NDIS if they meet the age, residency and disability requirements.
If your child meets the disability requirements and you live in NEMA which is the following Local Government Areas outlined below, your child may be able to access the scheme.
-Banyule
-Darebin
-Nillumbik
-Whittlesea
-Yarra
When will parents be contacted?
From late September 2016 the NDIA will phone you or send you a letter to begin the initial paperwork.
What do I need to do after the NDIA contacts me?
As the NDIS may fund supports and services in addition to what your child is currently receiving at school we encourage you to respond to the NDIA as soon as they get in touch.
It is important to note the NDIS does not fund supports that relate to your child’s learning. These will still be the responsibility of schools and the education system.
If your child is eligible for the NDIS, you will be asked to work with the NDIA to develop a plan which will identify the services and support best suited to your child.
What will change and what won’t:
Your child will be assessed for need and may be eligible for a range of supports. For now, your child’s bus to school and support for personal care needs at school will continue to be delivered in the same way. If there are changes to arrangements in the future these will be gradual and we will talk to you first. For now there is no change.
What if my child isn’t receiving personal care or transport?
If you live in NEMA and your child is not currently receiving these services through the Victorian Government, and you believe they might be eligible for the NDIS, we encourage you to approach the NDIA to be assessed. You can contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110.
What if I don’t live in NEMA?
The NDIS is transitioning across Victoria, Local Government Area by Local Government Area from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019. To see when the Local Government Area you live in is scheduled to transition, please refer to the website: https://myplace.ndis.gov.au/ndisstorefront/about-us/our-sites/vic.1.html. Closer to the Area rollout more information will become available.
Additional information
For additional information, visit: http://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/our-sites/vic
If you have any further questions please contact: Cheryl Mills, Acting Inclusion, Access and Participation Manager, Early Childhood and School Support, North- Western Victoria Region ph: 5440 3126 or via email: mills.cheryl.a@edumail.vic.gov.au
Dry Your Hands!
Recent research from New Zealand shows that DRYING YOUR HANDS is as important as washing your hands.
We usually focus on washing our hands to stay hygenic, especially after the toilet or in the kitchen. If hands are dried properly afterwards, the bacteria number is lower than if the hands were left wet.
This number is further reduced if paper towel is used and is more efficient than hand dryers.
The hand dryer is usually too slow and causes bacteria to grow. The jet air dryers are effective but there is a risk of cross contamination by circulating bacteria in the air.
Using paper towel is the most effective method way to dry hands after washing.
GET USING THAT PAPER TOWEL NOW!!