Department of Human Services Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants 2006 Anne-Marie Mc Fadyen

Innovation Grants – the third and final year Focus This year the funding will be used to promote ‘new and different’ approaches to what people with a disability ‘do’ during the day

What do we mean by ‘new & different’? Day support options that move away from the more traditional and centre based models………..

This might look like…….. Different times – outside the hours of 9.00am- 3.00pm New things to do – interests, clubs, work, education Different venues – in the same places that you and I choose to hang out during the day New relationships – between individuals, individuals and services, individuals and the community Different arrangements between disability service providers and community organisations that open up more possibilities

What are we looking for in project proposals? Innovation could be about: a new service type or model that starts with an individual’s needs and interests coordination in the way that day services work with other disability service providers and community organisations

and/or…….. partnership approaches that increase and expand the choices people with a disability have about what they do during the day trying out new, flexible and creative ways of using existing resources

Innovation and ‘Changing Days’ Its all about working towards the same vision – more flexible, community based models that are about self determination and independence Innovation projects could be the first stepping stone in your trial of a new approach Innovation funds could be used to try new things out on a smaller scale – ‘testing the waters’

Who can apply? Project submissions need to reflect a collaborative approach… this could be a partnership between day program services, accommodation services and community organisations day program services with other day program services and community organisations day program services and community organisations

Local needs and issues Your regional office has had a big part to play in identifying the focus and priorities for this round of innovations funding Your region is represented on a State wide Innovation Action Group that has been established to consider and address the change management issues that arise along the way

North & West priorities Developing new options for young people currently in day services that have a focus on education, training, employment and community options Creating capacity within day services by developing partnerships to support existing day service users to achieve their education, training, employment and volunteering goals in the community

North & West priorities Developing services which specifically address the needs of CALD, Indigenous and ageing population groups Increasing opportunities for community inclusion for individuals with a disability in neighborhood renewal sites and growth areas.

The submission process will be coordinated and managed by your regional office A regional panel has been established to coordinate the selection process People with a disability will be provided with opportunity to have input into the selection of submissions for funding

Time-frames Public advertisements in ‘The Age’ & ‘The Herald Sun’ and regional newspapers on the 12 th August 2006 Closing dates for submissions to regional offices on Friday 6 th October 2006 Projects will commence in the new year 2007