The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will rollout in the City of Casey on 1 September 2018.
The NDIS is a new way of delivering services and support to people with a permanent disability in Australia. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is responsible for implementing the scheme.
The City of Casey did not register to be a service provider; however it will undertake an extensive transition period with clients that currently receive Council services.
It is estimated that by July 2019, more than 10,500 residents from Southern Melbourne will have transitioned to the scheme.
The decision for Casey not to become a service provider was made following advice from industry experts, which concluded that Council could not compete with the high number of local specialist providers already delivering services to clients.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett reminded residents who currently receive care from Council that they will be supported throughout this process of change.
"Council is urging residents to first test if they are eligible for the NDIS," he said.
"If residents who currently receive Council services are eligible for the NDIS, they will be assisted to transition to their new provider by the City of Casey NDIS Transition Officer.
"Clients will still be able to access the same level of services with Community Care whilst organising the transition to their new provider.
"If people are not eligible for the NDIS, Council will continue to provide a high-level of service for residents aged under 65 years (under 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who have a disability."
Information sessions are being held in the City of Casey, as well as neighbouring municipalities Greater Dandenong and Cardinia Shire Council.
A Local Area Coordinator (LAC) has been assigned to Casey to work in partnership with the NDIS to implement the scheme at a local level.
The City of Casey’s LAC is LaTrobe Community Health Service. The LAC will assist clients to understand the benefits of the NDIS, support them to access the NDIS and find service providers, as well as assist them in creating a plan so that people are supported throughout the entire process.
Council’s Community Care clients can contact the City of Casey NDIS Transition Officer at any stage to discuss their services on 9705 5444.
For more information on the NDIS and to find out about upcoming information sessions, visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/NDIS.