MHCSS Barwon South Western Region Fact Sheet 1
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Mental Health Community Support Services Fact Sheet 1: New service delivery responsibilities May 2014 Barwon South Western Region As a result of 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 (MHCSS) across the state. This fact sheet provides information on the service providers selected through an open competitive process to deliver a total of $2.19 million in MHCSS in the Department of Health Barwon South Western Region. Mental Health Community Support Services (previously called Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services) provide broad-ranging psychosocial support to people aged 16-64 years with a psychiatric disability. They are an essential part of the state-funded specialist mental health and broader health and human services systems. As part of these reforms, $74 million in MHCSS has been redesigned and recommissioned, largely in the form of new Individualised Client Support Packages and Youth Residential Rehabilitation Services . Importantly, funding will be maintained across the region as a result of this process. The reason for the reform is that we were told by clients that the service system is complicated and difficult to navigate and service quality is variable. Service providers also told us that the program and funding models are rigid and prevented them responding flexibly to the changing needs of clients. The status quo simply was not giving people with mental illness in our communities the best support. The majority of the MHCSS funding ($60 million per annum) will be spent on the delivery of Individualised Client Support Packages, which will be tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences . Department of Health Page 1 Packing services in this way will best support people to develop the life skills to live well in the community and better manage the impact of their mental illness. Packaged support will mean agencies have the flexibility to work with clients across their mental health and other needs, which could include: securing and maintaining stable housing; developing relationships; improving their health and wellbeing; or finding suitable employment. One major change is the establishment of a new intake point in each local catchment area which will make it easier for people with a psychiatric disability, their carers and referring agencies to understand their options and access support. Sixteen Youth Residential Rehabilitation Services – one in the Barwon South Western Region – will continue to operate across the state. Reforms of these services mean that young people with complex mental health and associated needs get the support to recover, with a stronger focus on integration with other local youth and mental health support services in the local community. A new catchment-based planning function will assist MHCSS providers to identify and understand the distinct and diverse needs of adults with a psychiatric disability living in the service catchment, and take action to address service gaps. The t able attached provides details on approved providers for each MHCSS function in the Barwon South Western Region. The new service delivery responsibilities will commence 1 August 2014 and until this time, clients will continue to receive services from their current provider/s. All current clients will continue to be supported under the new MHCSS service delivery arrangements and, to ensure we best manage the transition period. The Coalition Government has allocated $2.3 million to support the transition to the new arrangements. This includes a free-call hotline for concerned individuals or families and the employment of dedicated workers to actively support clients that will transfer to new providers. Workers affected by the change will have access to subsidised places at workshops being conducted by VICSERV on topics such as career management and building professional resilience. For further information on the new MHCSS functions and how clients, carers and service providers will be supported through the transition period you can also visit www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/pdrss-reform. Department of Health Page 2 Service Providers for each MHCSS function in the Barwon South Western Region from 1 August 2014 Locations Approved Providers for MHCSS function Service Local government areas Individual Client Support Youth Residential Catchment-based Catchment-based catchment covered Packages Rehabilitation Intake Assessment Planning City of Warrnambool Shire of Corangamite Australian Great South Shire of Glenelg Mental Illness Fellowship Mental Illness Fellowship Community Support Mental Illness Coast Shire of Moyne Victoria Victoria (Warrnambool) Organisation Fellowship Victoria (ACSO) Shire of Southern Grampians Service provider contact details for general queries Service provider Contact person Contact details Australian Community Support Organisation Karen Costello, Senior Manager Communications T: (03) 9413 7073 M: 0429 417 222 E: [email protected] Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Linda Feenane, General Manager Public Affairs and T: 03 8486 4290 Engagement. E: [email protected] To receive this publication in an accessible format phone contact Mental Health, Wellbeing and Ageing Division. Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. Printed by the Department of Health. Except where otherwise indicated, the images in this publication show models and illustrative settings only, and do not necessarily depict actual services, facilities or recipients of services. \ Department of Health Page 3 .