Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-2012

1. Victorian State Disability Plan2002-2012 Innovation Grants 2006 Anne-Marie Mc Fadyen

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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’

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

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