Anyone started with the NDIS?

Busy morning here @Queenie @Mazarita @CheerBear @Bunniekins @Twinklelight and anyone else joining in here.

Spent the first half the morning looking at more links to support services and exactly what they offer, if they are MH specialised, where they are etc. Then had a meeting with sil to go over what I've found out, the disability advocate's phone call (she's resigned but it was time to close out my matter anyway), and questions to ask different people when in contact about services. Also who to share my whole plan with (CoS and PM but not SW's). I've also found a couple of sample service agreements to guide me when getting started with services.

Then we rang the intake officer at a local MH organisation who the NDIS has referred me to for co-ordination of supports. Had a bit of a chat and got some info from him about the process (and activating my plan on the MyGov portal) and have arranged to see him at home next Thursday morn with my sil. So that's the next step in place and it means I can relax more about it all until then. PHEW ... it's been a big week since getting my plan last Thursday.

@eth it certainly is racing ahead! I am so happy for you the sound in your voice is joyous really :). I have a bit of news not as dramatic as yours but I had a phone call this morning from the NDIS regarding our application for a review for respite and social outings. They asked a few questions and then said they would get back to me soon regarding whether or not we have been successful.

So soon I shall know. I hope so because we are not asking for much for my son and it is what he needs. Anyway that is my news. Again eth that is great news. ;Dxxxx

Good news for you too @Bunniekins - I hope you get what you've asked for, and in a timely manner xx

So ... research and update. I've checked out heaps of service providers over the last week.... for co-ordination of supports and also plan management (and pm training), support workers and travel training.

It means a lot that others are thinking about all this - I hope my journey is helping others. This morning I have an intake assessment at home with a nearby organisation that NDIS has referred me to. Will see how it goes. I feel swamped with all the choice suddenly available to me - finding it hard to make decisions between all the organisations out there who are NDIS registered providers. Such a different world from what's available without NDIS.

@Bunniekins @Queenie @Mazarita @CheerBear @Twinklelight @Appleblossom and anyone else following here or having their own NDIS journey. @Dashee this is the thread I mentioned.

Good news : my PHaMs support worker told me yesterday that she also is registered with another organisation which offers much more flexibility about bookings than the one I'm with for PHaMs. So if I'm anxious about changes I might be able to keep seeing her for the time being. She admitted to me that her boss also irritates her with his lack of communication and flexibility. So it's possible that yesterday was my last PHaMs session. And that actually feels good. When new arrangements are in place I hope to be able to name organisations here so as to give more specific information and resources for others on their NDIS journey.

I hope a good outcome of NDIS is accountability to the people it is meant to serve.

Did you see the article about the posterboy for NDIS .. who was rejected.

There is also concern that a big task force has been set up for potential fraud cases. Lefties are saying that it is premature and that the kinks in the system need to be ironed out before a punitive task force appointed.

@eth I am glad the choices are good for you, and I am sure you will rise to the challenge of negotiating and setting up an effective care program for yourself.

For myself it is still in the future.

Cheers

Apple

No I didn't see that article @Appleblossom - do you have a link for it? I think it's good that a fraud squad is being set up as I've heard lots of organisations are charging more for their services under NDIS than they ever did before it. And also tailoring their services specifically to the amount funded in a person's plan - not tailoring it to best serve the client. e.g. not offering flexible support worker hours depending on what the client wants to do which may change from month to month or even week to week. That's why it seems to be a good idea not to let them all see a full copy of the plan. It's one thing that participants have 'choice and control' over.

Update to anyone interested : The meeting this morning was good - he listened to all my goals, asked what an escalation in mood or drop into depression or panic attack would look like, and told us what services they can provide in detail. I did not have to enter a service agreement yet. The best part was hearing that one of their coordinators of supports is a woman I had positive contact with last year. She's also involved in lots of things around town that bro and sil are too. So I already know she's good in many ways - interests, lived experience, qualifications ... So I'll probably meet with her next week. Have also arranged to meet with a likely plan manager next week. So things are moving along.

Good things are looking up @eth

Trying to post link but if you just put in main key words it will come up on google. I have had late access to the digital miracle. Sorry

Oops @Appleblossom I've just been reading about the fraud squad and it seems it's only to investigate people applying for access and a plan of funds (so probably going to make it harder for a whole lot of genuine applicants). I have raised the question of fraudulent service providers with a politician. It'll be interesting to see what he thinks about it. He's in a wheelchair permanently but I'm not sure if he's an NDIS participant. He seems well informed about NDIS and its glitches.

How are things going for you @Queenie?

That all sounds really positive @eth. Interesting to hear you mention that it's a different world in terms of choices in services and what's available. I can imagine how that may become quite overwhelming but also maybe exciting in a way too.

Thanks for sharing your journey with us all here. It's definitely helpful to hear how you're approaching it and what you're discovering (I think). I keep making my weekly call to the NDIA and keep getting the same response of it taking a long time to sort through lots of applications. Apparently someone 'looked' at my application a few days ago so maybe I'll hear something soon. It's been 2 months since I submitted it now (a bit longer than the 21 days stated in the guidelines!).

@Appleblossom really interesting to hear what you shared also. I found this article about the task force. This one looks like it's about fraud and organised crime. Also found this one about a person who was in the NDIS ads having their application rejected. It may be the one you mentioned Apple.