Mental Health Community Support Services
June 2014
Fact Sheet: Information for Existing Families and Carers
After extensive consultation and review with clients, families, carers and service providers, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the delivery of mental health community support services delivered through the Victorian Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services (PDRSS) program.
As part of these changes the Victorian Government will also change the name of the PDRSS program to Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) program from August 2014.
This fact sheet provides information for families and carers of a person who is currently receiving support through the PDRSS program. It provides information about the changes, when these will occur and how these changes might affect the person you care for.
These changes are about supporting the person you care for and supporting you in your caring role.
The changes start on 1 August 2014. The reforms will ensure people most disabled by their mental health condition will not miss out on the support they need.
The changes will make it easier for new and returning consumers and their carers to get help no matter where they live. This will be achieved by establishing a centralised intake point for all referrals in each local area. A fact sheet explaining how the new intake assessment system will work will be made available shortly.
We are also introducing Individualised Client Support Packages. They will replace standard, moderate and intensive Home Based Outreach Services, Day Programs, Care Coordination, Aged Intensive program and Special Client Packages from 1 August 2014.
The support package will help the person you care for develop the life skills needed to live well in the community and to manage their mental illness. It will also help them in other areas of their life such as finding and maintaining stable housing, developing relationships, engaging in community activities, improving their health and wellbeing, and finding employment. Support will be provided on an individual and/or group basis depending on the individual’s preferences and the type of support they need.
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As part of this support package, you will be offered a brief needs assessment and assistance to access the range of services you might need as a carer. Under the reformed MHCSS program, you will also be provided with:
o Information and advice to you to support you in your caring role, including information on mental illness, and how to identify early warning signs and provide positive responses in challenging circumstances
o Support to access relevant services in your local community.
The new MHCSS program will also ensure service providers work in family inclusive ways and to actively involve you as an integral part of the support team for the person you care for.
Continuity of support
From 1 August 2014, it is possible that the service provider/s in your local community may change.
This will not affect the eligibility of the person you care for. As an existing client of a PDRSS program the person you care for will continue to receive support. If the person you care for is 65 years of age or over at the commencement of the new service arrangements on the 1 August, he/she will continue to remain eligible to receive services.
Many people will be able to stay with their current service provider. Some people, however, will need to move to a new provider. Depending where the person you care for lives, there may be up to three service providers for them to choose from in their local area.
Even if their current service provider is not changing, you might notice some changes in the way the service operates. If you have any concerns, you should discuss them directly with your service provider.
The changes to the PDRSS program do not affect clinical treatment services provided by Area Mental Health Services.
Some providers of Youth Residential Rehabilitation (YRR) services will also change. Please be assured that if the person you care for is a current resident of a YRR service they will continue to be supported.
When will these changes begin?
The new service delivery arrangements for Individualised Client Support Packages, Youth Residential Rehabilitation services and a new intake assessment point for new clients, will start from 1 August 2014. From this time onwards, the person you care for will be allocated a support worker and will able to start developing their support package.
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Who are the service providers in my area from August 2014?
Details of the new mental health community support service providers that will deliver Individualised Client Support Packages in each local area and their contact details are attached.
Information on the providers of Youth Residential Rehabilitation services and the new intake assessment and planning functions is available on the following website: www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/pdrss-reform.
Where can I get support and find out more information?
You are encouraged to discuss these changes with your current service provider who will support the person you care for to move to a new service provider if required.
Over June and July, transition information/navigation workers will also be available to help the person you care for to choose and make contact with a new provider in their local area (if needed). Contact details are provided in the following page.
We are aware that big changes like this can at times be hard for people. We are determined that every person affected by change is provided with all the support and information they need to move to new service arrangements. If you have any questions about any part of the changes, please call Xavier or Madeline at Tandem on a free call number (1800 314 325) and they will work with you to address any issue you may have.
Updated information will also be available on the following websites: www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/pdrss-reform and www.tandemcarers.org.au.
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Contact details to access a transition information/navigation worker
Agency Catchments and Local Government Areas covered Contact person Australian All local government authorities in regional and rural areas Lee-Arna Howle, Senior Manager Community across Victoria. T: (03) 9413 7000 Support M: 0457536264 Organisation E: [email protected]
EACH Inner East and Eastern Melbourne catchment: Cities of Mike Quaass, Operations Manager Boroondara, Manningham, Monash, Whitehorse, Knox, EACH Community Mental Health Maroondah and Shire of Yarra Ranges. T: (03) 9871 1803 M: 0400 872 458 South Eastern catchment: City of Greater Dandenong and E: [email protected] Shires of Cardinia and Casey.
North Melbourne catchment: Cities of Banyule, Darebin and Whittlesea and Shire of Nillumbik.
Neami Bayside and Frankston-Mornington Peninsula catchments: Jennifer Tobin Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston, Port Phillip, T: (03) 9481 1244 Stonnington, Frankston and Shire of Mornington Peninsula. E: [email protected]
Inner North Melbourne, North Western Melbourne and South Western catchments: Cities of Melbourne, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Yarra, Brimbank, Hume, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Wyndham and Shire of Melton.
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Approved providers for Individualised Client Support Packages
SOUTHERN METROPOLITAN REGION
Service Local government areas Providers of Individual Client Support Packages catchment covered
City of Bayside Inner South Community Health City of Glen Eira Bayside City of Kingston The Uniting Church of Australia (Prahran Mission) (in City of Port Phillip partnership with Sacred Heart Mission) City of Stonnington EACH Cardinia Shire South-Eastern City of Casey Ermha Melbourne City of Greater Dandenong The Uniting Church of Australia (Prahran Mission) (in partnership with Sacred Heart Mission) Frankston- City of Frankston Peninsula Support Services Mornington Mornington Peninsula Shire Peninsula Neami
Contact details for general queries
Service provider Contact person Contact details
EACH Judy Urquijo, Team Leader T: 1300 785 358 E: [email protected]
Ermha Christine Thornton, Director T: (03) 9706 7388 Service Development E: [email protected]
Inner South Community Health Damian Ferrie, Chief Executive M: 0405 107 574 Officer E: [email protected]
Neami Glen Tobias, Victorian State T: (03)9481 1244 Manager M 0416 178 664 E: [email protected]
Peninsula Support Services Terry Palioportas, Chief Executive T: (03) 5970 5000 Officer E: [email protected]
The United Church of Australia Mark Smith, General Manager T: (03) 9692 9512 (Prahran Mission) M: 0407 755 451 E: [email protected]
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NORTH AND WEST METROPOLITAN REGION
Local government areas Service catchment Providers of Individual Client Support Packages covered
Neami City of Melbourne
Inner North City of Moonee Valley 1 cohealth Melbourne City of Moreland City of Yarra Mind Australia
Neami City of Banyule City of Darebin North Melbourne cohealth City of Whittlesea Shire of Nillumbik Mind Australia
Break Thru People Solutions City of Brimbank North Western City of Hume cohealth Melbourne City of Maribyrnong Shire of Melton Neami
cohealth South Western City of Hobsons Bay Melbourne City of Wyndham Neami
Contact details for general queries
Service provider Contact person Contact details
Break Thru People Solutions Danielle Ballantine, Chief T: (02) 8884 3067 Operations Officer M: 0403 451 414 E: [email protected]
cohealth Gerard Reed, Director Mental M: 0414 306 972 Health and Northern Region E: [email protected]
EACH (Intake Assessment Judy Urquijo, Team Leader T: 1300 785 358 function) E: [email protected]
Mind Australia Margaret Grigg, Deputy Chief M: 0407 682 646 Executive E: [email protected]
Neami Glen Tobias, State Manager T: (03) 9481 1244 M 0416 178 664 E: [email protected]
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EASTERN METROPOLITAN REGION
Local government areas Service catchment Providers of Individual Client Support Packages covered
EACH City of Boroondara City of Manningham Inner East Melbourne Neami City of Monash City of Whitehorse The Uniting Church of Australia (Prahran Mission)
City of Knox EACH Eastern Melbourne City of Maroondah Shire of Yarra Ranges Neami
Contact details for general queries
Service provider Contact person Contact details
EACH Judy Urquijo, Team Leader T: 1300 785 358 E: [email protected]
Neami Glen Tobias, State Manager T: (03) 9481 1244 M 0416 178 664 E: [email protected]
The United Church of Australia Mark Smith, General Manager, T: (03) 9692 9512 (Prahran Mission) Services M: 0407 755 451 E: [email protected]
GIPPSLAND REGION
Local government areas Service catchment Providers of Individual Client Support Packages covered
Shire of Bass Coast Shire of Wellington SNAP Gippsland Shire of East Gippsland Gippsland Shire of South Gippsland
City of Latrobe Mind Australia Shire of Baw Baw
Contact details for general queries
Service provider Contact person Contact details
Australian Community Support Karen Costello, Senior Manager T: (03) 9413 7073 M: 0429 417 222 Communications E: [email protected] Organisation (Intake Assessment function)
Mind Australia Margaret Grigg, Deputy Chief M: 0407 682 646 Executive E: [email protected]
SNAP Gippsland Chris McNamara, Chief Executive T: (03) 5153 1823 M. 0407 884 346 Officer E: [email protected]
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HUME REGION
Service Local government areas Providers of Individual Client Support Packages catchment covered
City of Greater Shepparton Shire of Mitchell Goulburn Valley Shire of Moira Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Shire of Murrindindi Shire of Strathbogie Rural City of Benalla Rural City of Wangaratta Rural City of Wodonga Hume Shire of Alpine Mind Australia Shire of Indigo Shire of Mansfield Shire of Towong
Contact details for general queries
Service provider Contact person Contact details
Australian Community Support Karen Costello, Senior Manager T: (03) 9413 7073 M: 0429 417 222 Communications E: [email protected] Organisation (Intake Assessment function)
Mental Illness Fellowship of Linda Feenane, General Manager T: (03) 8486 4290 Public Affairs and Engagement E: [email protected] Victoria Mind Australia Margaret Grigg, Deputy Chief M: 0407 682 646 Executive E: [email protected]
GRAMPIANS REGION
Local government areas Service catchment Providers of Individual Client Support Packages covered
City of Ballarat Wimmera UnitingCare (in partnership with Ballarat Rural City of Ararat UnitingCare) Shire of Hepburn Rural City of Horsham Shire of Golden Plains Shire of Hindmarsh Shire of Moorabool Shire of North Grampians Grampians Shire of Pyrenees Shire of West Wimmera Shire of Yarriambiack City of Ballarat Shire of Hepburn Shire of Golden Plains Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Shire of Moorabool
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Contact details for general queries
Service provider Contact person Contact details
Australian Community Support Karen Costello, Senior Manager T: (03) 9413 7073 Communications M: 0429 417 222 Organisation (Intake Assessment E: [email protected] function)
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Linda Feenane, General Manager T: (03) 8486 4290 Public Affairs and Engagement E: [email protected]
Leeanne Thomson, Deputy Chief T: (03) 5362 2921 Wimmera UnitingCare (with Executive Officer M: 0427 347 334 Ballarat UnitingCare) E: [email protected]
LODDON MALLEE REGION
Local government areas Service catchment Providers of Individual Client Support Packages covered
Rural City of Mildura Rural City of Swan Hill St Luke’s Anglicare (in partnership with Mallee Family Care) Shire of Buloke Shire of Gannawarra Greater City of Bendigo Loddon Mallee Care Connect (in partnership with Life without Barriers and Shire of Campaspe Aftercare) Shire of Central Goldfields Shire of Loddon Shire of Macedon Ranges Mind Australia Shire of Mount Alexander
Contact details for general queries
Service provider Contact person Contact details
Australian Community Support Karen Costello, Senior Manager T: (03) 9413 7073 Communications M: 0429 417 222 Organisation (Intake Assessment E: [email protected] function)
Care Connect Jayne Gallo, General Manager M: 0418 329 076 Client Services E: [email protected]
Mind Australia Margaret Grigg, Deputy Chief M: 0407 682 646 Executive E: [email protected]
Chris McInnes T: (03) 5448 1104 St Luke’s Anglicare/Mallee Family Senior Manager Mental Health and M: 0429 935 958 Care Housing E: [email protected]
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BARWON SOUTH WESTERN REGION
Local government areas Service catchment Providers of Individual Client Support Packages covered
City of Warrnambool Shire of Corangamite Great South Coast Shire of Glenelg Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Shire of Moyne Shire of Southern Grampians
Contact details for general queries
Service provider Contact person Contact details
Australian Community Support Karen Costello, Senior Manager T: (03) 9413 7073 M: 0429 417 222 Communications E: [email protected] Organisation (Intake Assessment function) Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Linda Feenane, General Manager T: (03) 8486 4290 Public Affairs and Engagement E: [email protected]
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