Dept of Communities

The information on this page is currently under Construction

Disability and Community Care Services – Parent Connect Initiative

The Parent Connect Initiative is a four year pilot project (2012-2016) that supports families who has a child with a disability or developmental delay using an outreach model of service. What services and supports are provided by the Parent Connect Facilitator?

• Works with families who are not currently receiving the services they require

• Works with local universal and specialist services to identify and link families

• Provides information regarding the child’s disability or developmental needs

• Provides information on available early childhood intervention services and supports

• Assists families to obtain a disability diagnosis for their child when required

• Supports families to link with appropriate services

• Supports families to navigate the service system where the family requires multiple services

• Works with local universal and specialist services to enhance access to their services

Who is eligible to receive support from the Parent Connect Initiative?

Level 1 is the provision of information and/or short term support. To access Level 1 support, children must:

• be 0 – 6 years of age

• have a disability or developmental delay

• reside within the geographic catchment areas of the initiative

• live within a family environment

There is no assessment or intake process for Level 1 support; anyone can self identify as a person who has, or knows of, a child with a disability or developmental delay and can contact the Child Connect Officer

Level 2 support is more intensive for families with complex needs. To be eligible for Level 2 support, children must:

• be assessed as eligible for services through Disability and Community Care Services

• meet the access criteria for level 1 support (as above)

• choose to register as a recipient of the Child Connect Initiative

• consent to personal information being collected and retained

Level 3 support

How do I apply for support?

Disability and Community Care Services – Service Access Team

Disability and Community Care Services helps people with a disability and their families to access the support and services they need. Specialist disability services are designed to assist people who have a disability and require specialist support that is not available elsewhere.These specialist services supplement other general community supports that are available. Specialist disability services are delivered by our department and the nongovernment service providers we fund.

DISABILITY SERVICES ELIGIBILITY

You may be eligible to access specialist disability services if you have a disability as defined by the Disability Services Act 2006 and the Disability Services eligibility policy.

1. An applicant must:

· meet Australian citizenship or residency requirements

· be a resident of Queensland

· be under 65 years of age at the time of application, AND

2. An applicant’s disability must:

· be due to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive (including both congenital and acquired impairments), neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of impairments); AND

· be permanent or likely to be permanent; AND

3. The disability results in:

· substantial reduction in capacity for communication, social interaction, learning, mobility or self-care / management; AND

· a need for support

Disability and Community Care Services – Family and Early Childhood Services (FECS)

FECS supports families with a child aged up to 6 years (not attending full time school) who has or is at risk of a significant developmental delay. Our team of specialist staff work with families and their children to help promote the child’s developmental learning and inclusion in the local community.

Access criteria for FECS

1. the child is less than 6 years of age; and

2. the child has a significant developmental delay or is at risk of a significant

development delay; and

3. the family is resident within the geographic boundary of Ingham, Charters Towers, Townsville and Ayr; and

4. children must meet the Disability Services Eligibility criteria (as above)

MAKING CONTACT

· By telephone free of charge through Smart Service Queensland on 1800 177 120 or the Townsville Service Centre on 4799 5250

· In person at the

· By completing the new Request for Assistance Form online at: www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability and post, fax or delivery in person .

When you call Disability Services you will be able to speak to our specially trained Intake Officers. They can help answer your questions and provide information about supports that may be available. The Intake Officer will gather information from you and guide you through the Intake process.