Upcoming News
Guide for families - new legislation
The Queensland Government has made changes to the Disability Services Act 2006 which may affect you if you have a family member who is an adult with an intellectual or cognitive disability who has challenging behaviour. The legislation changed on 1 July 2008. The purpose of the legislation is to reduce or eliminate the need to use restrictive practices in disability services. If you would like to know more about the changes to the Disability Services Act 2006 and if it will affect the care of your family member please call Disability Information Services on 1800 177 120 or you can access a booklet from the website designed to provide families with comprehensive information on these changes: hhtp://wwwdisability.qld.gov.au/key-projects/positive-futures/publications-resources.html
breadaway toowoomba inc
Breakaway Toowoomba Inc is a non-Profit organisation whose focus is on providing quality respite services to people with a disability, their carers and families. The Guesthouse caters for guests with any disability, ages ranging from 6 years of age to 50 years of age. For more information, please contact Breakaway Toowoomba Inc on 4639 5100 or Email them on info@breakawaytmba.org
menstrual management kit
After a great deal of negotiation, both the Department of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Queensland and the Minister for the Depatment of Communities, Disability Services have agreed to allow Queensland Centre for Intellectual & Developmental Disability to upload this highly-valued community resource for people to freely access and download. It is available via hhtp://www.som.uq.edu.au/research/qcidd/menstration.asp
interest free loans
Carers Queensland started a new initiative on Monday, 6 July 2009. Interest Free Loans Scheme (NILS) offers loans up to $1200 to carers of genuine low income. An example of need might be replacement of white goods not worth repairing after malfunction, or payment for necessary services such as vehicle repairs. The scheme is initially being piloted in the Moreton Region, Brisbane North and Brisbane South Regions. Please contact Carers Queensland on 3281 4611 for more information.
how to build inclusive and resilient communities
In June 2009, the Australian Social Inclusion Board released a brochure on how to build inclusive and resilient communities. The brochure explains resilience and vulnerability, outlines principles for building resilience and ideas for how to apply them and provides some examples from Australia and overseas, along with links to useful resources.
hhtp://www.socialinclusion.gov.au/LatestNews/Documents/Buildingcommunityresiliencebrochure.pdf
ASD Website
A new website about services and support for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been launched by the Raising Children Network. The website includes sections on: learning about autism, services pathfinder, guides to therapies and online parent forum. The website provides impartial evidence-based information about ASD and early intervention. For more information about the ASD website visit http://raisingchildren.net.au/autism
Carers queensland - Support groups in Roma and South West
Roma Carers Support Group are held the 1st Tuesday of each month 10am-12 noon. Dirranbandi Carers Support Group are held the 2nd Monday of each month 11am-1pm. Charleville Carers Support Group are held the 4th Wednesday of the month 10am-12 noon. Taroom/Wandoan Support Group are held the 3rd Thursday of each month. Mitchell Carers Support Group are held 4th Tuesday of the month 12 noon-2pm. For more information on any of these groups please call 4622 1270.
specialist response service
Over the next four years, the Queensland Government has committed $113 million to establish a ground-breaking new service to support adults with an intellectual or cognitive disability who exhibit severely challenging behaviour to transition into community life. As a specialist clinical service, the Specialist Response Service will focus on multidisciplinary assessment and positive behaviour support, working closely with families, carers and service providers. If you are interested in being part of the Specialist Response Service and have the drive and ambition to help realise the vision for the service please contact the Specialist Response Serive Implementation team on: 07 3405 4186 or Email: careers@disability.qld.gov.au or visit the website www.disablility.qld.gov.au/positive-futures.
sibs
A sib (or sibling) is someone who has a brother or sister with a disability or chronic illness. Although Sibs often feel enriched by the experience of growing up in their family, they also face some unique challenges. The extent to which these challenges affect Sibs depends on many other factors such as their age, family circumstances, where they live, and the severity of their brother or sister's condition. Although each Sib's experience is unique, all Sibs can benefit from a bit of extra support during their childhood years both at home and in their community. Sibs, parents and service providers can access three Sib-related websites from the central homepage at www.sibs.org.au
The Carer Business Discount Card scheme has now been launched and is open to applications. For more information please click here.
