“MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK” Collaborative decision making between care agencies and Department of Human Services in the Hume Region. Presenters : Paul Quinnell Regional Quality of Care Coordinator Regional Quality of Care Coordinator Department of Human Services Department of Human Services Hume Region Hume Region Patrice Jackson Patrice Jackson Manager Foster Care Manager Foster Care Berry Street Berry Street Hume Region Hume Region Berry Street Upper Murray Family Care Adoption & Permanent Care Central Hume Support Rumbalara

“A flexible response to a changing service system” Background: 1995 Recurrent Flexi-Pak funding distributed to regions 1995 Recurrent Flexi-Pak funding distributed to regions Distribution of grants funds based on application to the department manager responsible for the child resulting in inconsistency of approvals with no common criteria or policy Distribution of grants funds based on application to the department manager responsible for the child resulting in inconsistency of approvals with no common criteria or policy 1998 Hume region grants panel formed to utilise Flexi-Paks as a component of support for many individual clients rather than funding a total care package for a few Hume region grants panel formed to utilise Flexi-Paks as a component of support for many individual clients rather than funding a total care package for a few. Available funding split between agencies and services Available funding split between agencies and services ( Placement Support Grants ) and Flexi Pak panel. ( Placement Support Grants ) and Flexi Pak panel.

The Panels The panels comprise of managers of each home based care service in the region, the manager from the Placement and Contracting team and the manager of the Adoption and Permanent Care team. The panels are chaired by the Regional Quality of Care Coordinator. Flexi Pak panel Flexi Pak panel Assesses grant applications from agencies or the department for children in foster care, kinship care, pre adoption and pre permanent care. Specialised Home Based Care Panel Specialised Home Based Care Panel Decides on and reviews care payment funding levels above general care payments for children in home based foster care

Why do it this way? Promotes a shared vision between agencies and the department for equity in funding. Promotes a shared vision between agencies and the department for equity in funding. Ensures more children and young people have access to flexi-pak support Ensures more children and young people have access to flexi-pak support Allows agencies, staff, carers and children to work creatively and collaboratively to enhance care situations Allows agencies, staff, carers and children to work creatively and collaboratively to enhance care situations Allows transparency of care targets and consistency of care level payments across the region Allows transparency of care targets and consistency of care level payments across the region

Flexi-Paks Tend to focus on big ticket items e.g., housing extensions, vehicles, family assessment and therapy, specialised therapy programs, assistance in academic or sporting excellence, and carer support. Tend to focus on big ticket items e.g., housing extensions, vehicles, family assessment and therapy, specialised therapy programs, assistance in academic or sporting excellence, and carer support. Applications can be made to the panel by agencies, child protection or adoption and permanent care services. Applications can be made to the panel by agencies, child protection or adoption and permanent care services.

Home Based Care Grants Panel TARGETS : Based on overall funding allocation 60% General 60% General 30% Intensive I & II 30% Intensive I & II 10% Complex I & II 10% Complex I & II

Home Based Care Grants Panel Levels of Care General General Intensive 1 [ Recommended by agency Intensive 1 [ Recommended by agency Intensive 2 ratified by the panel. ] Intensive 2 ratified by the panel. ] Complex 1 { Assessed by Strengths and Complex 1 { Assessed by Strengths and Complex 2 Difficulties tool and ratified Complex 2 Difficulties tool and ratified by the Panel} by the Panel}

What’s in it for the child Meets child’s needs flexibly Meets child’s needs flexibly Encourages stability Encourages stability Expands options Expands options Provides opportunities for excellence Provides opportunities for excellence

What’s in it for the carer Ability to better meet child’s needs Ability to better meet child’s needs Improves physical resource e.g., extra room, bigger vehicle, air conditioning Improves physical resource e.g., extra room, bigger vehicle, air conditioning Acknowledgement of contribution Acknowledgement of contribution

What’s in it for the service system Expands resources Expands resources Better matching opportunities Better matching opportunities Happier carers Happier carers Stable placements Stable placements Respect between agencies and department Respect between agencies and department

Service System Collaboration Win – Win Win – Win Equality and equity Equality and equity Transparency Transparency Mutual problem solving Mutual problem solving Respect and relationship building Respect and relationship building

The Flexi Pak and Home Based Care Committees are part of a number of panels and committees that provide an holistic and collaborative approach to the management of the Out of Home Care system in the Hume Region

“More Bang For The Buck” QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS?

Contact details Paul Quinnell Paul Quinnell Quality of Care Coordinator Hume Region Department of Human Services Victoria Ph Patrice Jackson Patrice Jackson Manager Home Based Care Berry Street Hume Region Ph