The Australian Autism Research Council (AARC) includes representatives of the autistic and broader autism communities, as well as service providers, health and education professionals, government managers, policy makers and researchers. The AARC has put together a draft set of autism research priorities. 

An online survey and submissions process is now open.

We would like to know what you think about the draft research priorities outlined by the AARC. You can also tell us other research priorities that are important to you. Anyone can have their say by filling in the survey or sending in a submission.

Your involvement in the consultation process will help guide the future focus of autism research activities and research funding in Australia.

For more information, Please click on this link.

The Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program (the Program) is designed to enhance the immediate capacity of disability and aged care service providers to achieve an effective market for disability services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Announced in the 2017-18 Budget, the $33 million Program will be delivered across three initiatives: the Care Workforce Regional Coordinator (RC); the National Specialist Coordinator (SC); and the Sector Transition and Employer Support (STES) initiatives.
• The RC and SC initiatives will see:
o The appointment of 25 Care Workforce Regional Coordinators who will collaborate with existing and prospective service providers and key stakeholders in their geographic area to provide localised support, gather intelligence on local issues and connect with stakeholders with complementary programs and initiatives in the disability and aged care sectors.
o The appointment of National Specialist Coordinators who will provide a national approach to addressing a range of issues with an initial focus on:

• Workforce planning and development
• Remote market development
• Financial management & Specialist disability accommodation
• Indigenous providers
• Allied health
• High support needs participants
• Self-managing NDIS participants and,
• Disability and aged care collaboration.
  • The Sector Transition and Employer Support initiative will provide eligible service providers the opportunity to apply for Transition Assistance Funding for business advice, professional services and/or purchase of software tailored to their business needs.
  For further information, please visit blcw.dss.gov.au or contact info@blcwprogram.com.au
  Jacqueline Cannon
  Specialist Coordinator – Remote areas
  Mobile: 0419 196 060
  Email: jacqueline.cannon@blcwprogam.com.au

The Multilingual Disability Hub is a national multilingual
hotline and website that provides information in-language
on disability and the NDIS.

The Federal Government has recently announced it will establish a Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. 

People with disability, their families and carers, as well as the disability sector are encouraged to have their say about the terms of reference for the Royal Commission.

A public survey is open until Thursday, 28 March, seeking input to inform the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission. The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LSXH77X

A Royal Commission will focus on what governments, institutions and the community should do to prevent, and respond to, violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. 

The exact scope of a Royal Commission will be determined by its Terms of Reference. Support for those who wish to provide input on the Terms of Reference is available on the Survey Hotline on 1800 880 052, Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm. 

There will be opportunities for those with disability, their families and carers, as well as the disability sector, to share stories once a Royal Commission is established. 

The Royal Commission will hear from those who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation. It will help ensure rights are protected and it will inform improvements to the safety and treatment of people with disability. 

Disability advocates including the Regional Disability Advocacy Service, based at Wodonga and Wangaratta, will have a role in supporting those with disability by collecting individual stories and presenting them as evidence for the Royal Commission. 

If you wish to know how you can have your story told when the time comes, contact the Regional Disability Advocacy Service on (02) 6056 2420 or 1800 250 292. 

Further information is available on the website at https://engage.dss.gov.au/royal-commission-into-violence-abuse-neglect-and-exploitation-of-people-with-disability/

The NDIS is an opportunity to support families where there is a disability in new ways. The Scheme can provide valuable tools to help workers focus on early intervention, prevention and joining up services for vulnerable families.

Previously CFS practitioners could refer families to Disability Client Services within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and other specialist community service organisations for a disability support response. With the transfer of responsibility for disability supports moving to the NDIS, all sectors including CFS will need to respond differently to children and families with disability. Frequently, this will mean interfacing with the NDIS.

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre) has been funded by the Department of Health and Human Services to run a series of 20 workshops across the state to help build knowledge and skills in relation to working with vulnerable families where disability is present (in child or parent).

These workshops are designed for Child FIRST/Orange Door, Integrated Family Services, Child Protection and out-of-home care workers to provide practical tools and knowledge to better support families with disability.

The training covers:

• Parental perspectives on the experience of caring for a child with disability
• How to recognise early signs of families with disability at risk of breakdown
• How to support families to improve the supports they receive under the NDIS
• Behaviour Support Plans and the NDIS
• The roles and responsibilities of CFS staff in working with families with disability.

These half-day training sessions are free to attend. Click 
to book a place.

Click on any date below to book a place:

Schedule of Workshops:

Monday 1 April, 10.00am – 1.30pm: Bairnsdale

Tuesday 2 April, 10.00am – 1.30pm: Geelong

Thursday 4 April, 10.00am – 1.30pm: Shepparton

Friday 5 April, 9.00am – 12.30pm: Narre Warren

Friday 5 April, 1.00pm – 4.30pm: Narre Warren

Thursday 11 April, 1.00pm – 4.30pm: Footscray

Friday 12 April, 10.00am – 1.30pm: Collingwood

Friday 26 April, 9.30am – 1.00pm: Surrey Hills

Friday 3 May, 9.30am – 1.00pm: Surrey Hills

Tuesday 14 May, 1.00pm – 4.30pm: Morwell

Thursday 16 May, 10.00am – 1.30pm: Melbourne CBD

Monday May 20^th; 9.00am – 12.30pm; Melbourne CBD

Monday 20 May, 1.30pm – 5.00: Melbourne CBD

Tuesday 21 May, 1.00pm – 4.30pm: Melbourne CBD

Thursday 23 May, 1.00pm – 4.30pm: Bendigo

Friday 24 May, 9.30am – 1.00pm: Ballarat

Monday 27 May, 9.30am – 1.00pm: Seymour

Friday 31 May, 9.00am – 12.30pm: Surrey Hills

Friday 31 May, 1.00pm – 4.30pm: Surrey Hills

Tuesday 28 May, 10.00am – 2.00pm: Wangaratta