Equally reassuring is the commitment to increase funding to the NDIS by 23% between 2018 and 2021. It is intended that all Australians will be able to access the NDIS by 2020. The benefits of having a National Scheme means consistency across borders and hopefully less complications and confusion across the States. Currently 140,000 Australians receive NDIS funding in regions where the scheme has been rolled out.

We are pleased to announce that Lifebridge has recently attained NDIS provider registration in Queensland. The National Disability Insurance Scheme commences roll-out in Queensland effective 1st July 2018. We will provide further information regarding our Queensland services and programs in future newsletters.

The result of these announcements is an opportunity for providers to adapt and grow. To provide services differently and to be innovative in a changing marketplace. At Lifebridge, there are many changes happening both internally and externally to accommodate the changing environment. All of these changes are intended to build upon the services and experience you receive at Lifebridge.

We’re passionate about what we do and we enjoy being a part of your journey and I would like to thank you for sharing them with us. We’re very proud to be your provider of choice in this new market.

The post CEO Update – May 2018 appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

If you are currently receiving Plan Management Services from Lifebridge, we will continue to honour our agreement and will provide this service until your Service Agreement expires. At this time, when your Service Agreement is to be renewed we will no longer be able to offer Plan Management.

While this change on first appearance may be distressing, please know this change is necessary to ensure our resources are focused on the services we provide best, so that we can continue providing exceptional service to all our customers.

If you have any concerns about the changes, please contact Lifebridge on 1800 043 186.

The post Important Changes to Plan Management at Lifebridge appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

As of February 1, 2018, Lifebridge will only offer a minimum Service Agreement length of six months and from July 1, 2018, Lifebridge will only offer a minimum Service Agreement length of twelve months.

Please note, that the duration of the Service Agreement doesn’t impact your right to have choice. There is a clause in the Service Agreement that allows both, participants and Lifebridge to evoke a four-week notice period to end a Service Agreement. This is still an option for both parties.

By increasing the length of Service Agreements, Lifebridge will be able to focus on delivering supports that are beneficial to all involved.

For customers who already have a Service Agreement in place, this is still valid, and the changes will only take place when your current Service Agreement expires.

If you have any questions or concerns about the change to Service Agreements, please contact Lifebridge on 1800 043 186.

The post Changes to Lifebridge Service Agreements appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

As such, Lifebridge is currently going through some big changes and although people can grow accustomed to schedules and routines as it gives them a feeling of comfort, this way of operating isn’t sustainable. We’re required to be agile, flexible and opportunistic to provide the best possible supports to our customers.

We’re humbled by the positive attitudes and how many of our customers are already embracing the changes to date.  Where possible many of our customers have had the opportunity to be a part of the change and to provide feedback. Prior to the launch of our new Murwillumbah Hub, many customers visited the site and provided comments on the design, location and fit out. Which was a very positive experience.

People are excited by being in the community and the opportunity for increased capacity building.

Both our Chinderah and Murwillumbah Hubs are proving to be a huge success and we’re excited for the launch of our West Tweed hub as well.  Establishing hubs within the local community, is very much in the spirit of the NDIS. The scheme is fundamentally about increasing capacity and community integration. Our hubs are a step towards achieving just that and will provide our customers with increased:

• integration with the local communities
• access to mainstream activities
• opportunities to meet individual goals
• range of choices
• time participating in activities

As we embark on this new adventure, let’s take a moment to reflect.  Lifebridge have a long history in the Tweed Shire and during that time we have built up quite a reputation for our customer service. We have seen many changes happen during our 30 years in operation. Customers and staff have come and gone, our locations have changed, but throughout it all we have always stood strong and proud and we will continue to do so for many years to come.

The post A better way of doing things appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

By March 31, 2018 all services previously at Caloola, will be operating from other venues. A change that focuses on greater opportunity for capacity building and community integration.

Our shift from Caloola, sees the launch of three new and expanded Hubs, at Chinderah, West Tweed and at Murwillumbah. The response and feedback we’ve received from our customers already has been very positive and it’s encouraging to see many embracing the change, welcoming the opportunity it presents and being genuinely excited.

Under the NDIS transport arrangements will also change. Funding is limited and maintaining an extensive vehicle fleet is costly. As such, we will need to downsize. However, in the spirit of the NDIS the opportunity to build capacity will be introduced wherever possible utilising public transport. Other arrangements will be discussed with participants as changes are introduced.

Over the coming weeks we will continue to communicate these changes with you and what they may involve.

The reforms are a steep learning curve for both providers and customers and we’re evolving rapidly. With that comes learnings, and I thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Together we will learn and develop solutions that meet the needs of all.

On behalf of the entire Lifebridge team, I would like to thank everyone who participated in our annual customer surveys. The response has been outstanding. We will be analysing these results shortly, sharing the highlights with you in future newsletters and looking at opportunities for improvement.

The post CEO Update Feb 2018 appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

The rollout in Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Northern NSW, Mid North Coast, Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, Murrumbidgee, Western NSW and Far West regions completes the NDIS rollout in NSW. Now available statewide people with disability are at the centre of decision-making and are empowered to live the life they choose.

Lifebridge under the NDIS will continue to place our customers at the centre of their supports. Every step taken prior to the introduction has been to ensure this transition is as seamless as possible. You may find now, that you have already been contacted by the NDIA to develop your first plan. If you haven’t been contacted yet, there’s no need for concern they will be in contact in due course.

Once you receive your plan under the NDIS it is vitally important you let us know and we can work with you to continue delivering your services with minimal disruptions.

We’re very excited to continue providing service under the NDIS and equally as excited to continue providing supports to each and every one of our customers.

The post NDIS scheme rolls out across NSW appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

Understandably, within the community and across Australia there are a lot of questions, a lot of ambiguity and a lot of misinterpretations. There is a lot of information out there and a lot of information individuals need to consume.

The NDIA is assisting to alleviate some of that individual burden, and if you have a question you can ask that question to the NDIA. You can do this via their social media channels, their websites and through the contact centre.

Answers to your questions get incorporated into relevant pages on their website www.ndis.gov.au and they are also published in a news item called the Weekly Q and A.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/questions-and-answers.html

You can also find collection of their past Weekly Q and A questions, organised by theme.

The post The Weekly Q and A appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

The NDIS is new to many people and providers alike and while everyone is in a state of learning and change, it is important that we are all informed and educated. At Lifebridge, we are committed to providing transparency about your rights and making sure you understand what you are entitled too as a participant under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
A video published on the ndis.nsw.gov.au website tells a story of Samara and explains how the safety and rights of people with disability are protected under the NDIS in NSW. It details how NDIS participants are entitled to, ‘quality supports’ from their NDIS Provider as well as, the right to expect high standards of service.

For providers under the NDIS, of which Lifebridge is one, we must:

• deliver high quality supports at all times
• protect your privacy
• comply with the laws and regulations that protect participants of the NDIS

We must also be able to show we meet the NSW Disability Standards or a similar standard. The NSW Disability Standards cover a number of different areas including:

• the right to be treated fairly
• being involved and included
• making individual choices
• a way to provide feedback and complaints

As a provider we must also ensure that we are making this process as easy as possible, and that it is not complicated for you to work with us.

At Lifebridge, we encourage you to view this video and understand your rights. If they are not being met, please follow the appropriate channels of feedback.

http://ndis.nsw.gov.au/ndis-resources/videos/

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