WHILE Federal politicians continue to quibble about funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), here in the Nambucca Valley the leading service provider, Nambucca Valley disAbility Services Inc (NVdS), is more than ready for the scheme’s proposed July roll-out.
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NVdS Vice - Chairperson, John Slade, said that, soon after the new scheme was announced, NVdS did an analysis of the financial impact “the biggest change since the introduction of Medicare” would have on the small local not-for-profit disability support service.
“Under the new scheme, funding that previously came to us quarterly in advance, will instead need to be invoiced through the National Insurance Agency (NDIA – the funding body for the NDIS) in arrears, which means a time lag of up to three months before payment for services is received. NVdS just do not have the cash reserves to cover that lag,” John said.
NVdS CEO Maureen Rahman said new computer programs and systems also had to be bought and implemented, as well as staff trained, both in the use of systems and processes, and the NDIS.
Nationally, the budget for disability support is expected to increase from $6 billion to $22 billion, once the NDIS is fully rolled out, with participants increasing from 200,000 to 460,000.
“With non-billable services capped at 12% of funding packages we knew we would have to do more with less and this made us question our ability to remain viable in the long term,” Maureen said.
“We have over 40 staff and 33 clients and have been operating in the valley for 27 years. With demand for services growing, we decided that pairing with a larger organisation could be the right way to go in terms of opportunities presented by utilising shared resources and the expertise a larger, NDIS experienced, organisation could offer.
"The organisation we chose is Ability Options, a large, well-established Sydney-based company with a solid track record of quality service provision, as well as experience of the NDIS rollouts in the Hunter and Nepean regions.
"Ability Options’ values match those of NVdS very closely," John said.
"The partnership has proved to be a very positive journey and we are happy with the way things are panning out, this integration will provide many opportunities for our staff and the people we support.”
Staff and time efficiencies are reaping budgetary benefits already with more to come.
“Previously the fortnightly pay process took a couple of days – now staff get their rosters via their phones, which saves both paper and time. Shortly they will be sending shift reports via their phones and invoices will automatically be generated, this will be a huge saving in staff hours,” Maureen said.
As the roll-out approaches, NVdS will hold ‘NDIS-ready cafes’ so people can get a clear picture of what lies ahead.
“The scheme allows people to design a package of support services that suits their needs – this is done in consultation with the person themselves, their families or carers and staff."
With the funding to support people set to grow in the area, there will be lots of new jobs on offer.
"We are already short-staffed and are always looking for people with the right “fit” for our organisation and our clients.”
She said there was also a huge need for suitable housing for people with disabilities and NVdS was open to talking to private investors willing to buy or purpose-build properties to rent to clients who are supported to be responsible tenants.
Click here for more information about NVdS or phone 6568 9802.
Click here for more information about the NDIS