25 September Winners announced at the 2017 Excellence Awards September 25, 2017 By ECIA-NSW Admin Events Conferences Awards, Conference 0 Winners announced at the 2017 Excellence Awards On Thursday 25th May 2017, Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA) NSW/ACT presented the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Excellence Awards for outstanding achievements in the ECI sector during the ECIA/NSW Conference at the Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney NSW. The Excellence Awards were presented on Thursday 25th May 2017 by Margie O’Tarpey, CEO ECIA NSW/ACT during the 2017 Conference, with four awards presented. Plumtree was announced the winner of “Outstanding family-centred and culturally responsive practice” Read More... Early Connections was announced “Champions of Inclusion” Read More... Shaping Outcomes received the award for “Excellent team around the child” Read More... KU Children’s Services secured their place as the winner of “Advancing practice” Read More... “This years’ Excellence Awards was highly competitive and recognised the outstanding achievements of service providers in the early childhood intervention and related sectors” said Margie O’Tarpey, CEO ECIA NSW/ACT. “This important work has contributed to the improvement of the lives of children with a developmental delay or disability, their families and communities. These awards celebrate and acknowledge teams and organisations that demonstrated national best practice in early childhood intervention and excellence, passion, vision and a commitment to assisting children with a developmental delay or disability and their families to achieve their goals. This is a testament to the outstanding work and commitment displayed to improving the capacity of the early childhood intervention sector during this important time of transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)” noted Margie O’Tarpey. About the 2017 Excellence Awards Four awards were available at this years’ Excellence Awards, with the category winners demonstrating excellence in their respective area. 1. Outstanding family-centered and culturally responsive practice Recognises early childhood intervention services/professionals/teams that have demonstrated outstanding family-centered practice through: Very strong partnerships with families, where family life, family priorities and choices, drive what happens in planning and intervention Highly responsive practice, which builds on family strengths and assists families to develop their own networks of resources – both informal and formal Outstanding efforts to provide welcoming and culturally inclusive environments, where all families are encouraged to participate in and contribute to children’s learning and development Extensive knowledge and deep respect for diversity, demonstrated through flexible services and supports that are responsive to each family’s cultural, ethnic, racial, language and socioeconomic characteristics. 2. Champions of Inclusion Recognises early childhood intervention services/professionals/teams that have identified and implemented strategies to significantly improve inclusion for children with developmental delay and/or disability and their families: Sustained inclusive and participatory practice, recognising that every child regardless of their needs has the right to participate fully in their family and community life and to have the same choices, opportunities and experiences as other children Outstanding commitment to putting in place additional supports for the children to participate meaningfully in their families, community and early childhood settings The children supported feel accepted and have a real sense of belonging Exceptional dedication to promoting children’s inclusion through participation in their natural learning environments and daily routines, at home, in the community, and in early childhood settings Raise awareness and advocate for inclusion of children with developmental delay and/or disability and their families. 3. Excellent team around the child Recognises early childhood intervention services/professionals/teams that have demonstrated outstanding collaborative and capacity building practice: Outstanding work relationship with families and professionals as a collaborative and integrated team around the child, communicating and sharing information, knowledge and skills, with one team member nominated as a key worker and main person working with the family Exceptional contribution to building the capacity of the child, family, professionals and community through coaching and collaborative team work. 4. Advancing practice Recognises early childhood intervention services/professionals/teams that have demonstrated practice improvement and advancement through: Innovative intervention strategies that are grounded in research and sound clinical reasoning Demonstrated continuous improvement and high quality services based on the ECI key best practices Focus on the outcomes that parents want for their child and family in terms of participation in meaningful activities, and on identifying the skills needed to achieve these outcomes. The Excellence Awards were presented during the ECIA NSW/ACT Conference on 25-26 May 2017. About ECIA NSW/ACT Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA) NSW/ACT is the peak body for early childhood intervention in NSW and the ACT. Formed in 1982, our mission is to promote the awareness and importance of early childhood intervention and inclusion for children with a developmental delay or disability. We represent, support and develop organisations, professionals and practitioners working with young children with a developmental delay or disability, their families and communities. Media Contact Lee Edmondson Communications & Marketing Manager (ECIA NSW/ACT) (02) 9873 2593 ledmondson@ecia-nsw.org.au Follow ECIA NSW/ACT Twitter: @ECIAnswact | #ECIA2017 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecia.nsw/ Website: http://www.ecia-nsw.org.au Related 2017 Annual Report now available The 2017 Annual Report is now available. Click here to view or download the 2017 Annual Report. Click here to view or download the 2017 Financial Statements. PRESIDENT & CEO REPORT The major focus for ECIA NSW/ACT over the last financial year has been supporting the sector to implement the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Approach and transition into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Our commitment to inclusion has been pivotal to inform all our supports and services. With inclusion at the forefront, we have worked with the sector to build capacity, promote evidence-based practice and support services to achieve outcomes for children with a developmental delay or disability and their families in their local communities. ECIA NSW/ACT worked actively with Ageing Disability & Home Care (ADHC) and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to achieve the outcome of the ECEI Transition Provider Approach across NSW. We proudly endorsed an approach that focused on a wide gateway, soft initial supports, referral to mainstream services and the provision of specialised early childhood intervention (ECI) as required. We recognise the significant work and challenges overcome by our sector over the last year, simultaneously traversing the transition to the NDIS, services have continued to provide funded ECI services. ECIA NSW/ACT has continued to work with other State and Territory Chapters of ECIA and contributed significantly towards the establishment of a single ECIA National organisation that included the CEO taking on the National CEO role for a period of six months. Our Chapter is therefore presenting our last Annual General Meeting (AGM) and will be formally inviting our members to join the National ECIA organisation within the next 6 months. "The past Board forged the importance of ECI across our state and informed best practice across our nation. We are forever indebted to all past and present Board members and to our magnificent inaugural CEO who over the last three years facilitated the growth of our organisation and has left a legacy to transition into a National model" (Susan MacGillycuddy, President ECIA NSW/ACT). AGM & ANNUAL REPORT The Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 30 November 2017 following the Inclusion Symposium. Nominations were received 8 weeks prior to this AGM for all Board positions: President: Susan Macgillycuddy For the position of President there was 1 nomination from Susan Macgillycuddy, who was declared as President. Vice President: Rani Dibley For the position of Vice President there was 1 nomination from Rani Dibley, who was declared as Vice President. Treasurer: Sylvana Mahmic For the position of Treasurer there was 1 nomination from Sylvana Mahmic, who was declared as Treasurer. Non-Executive Board (6 positions) 6 nominations were received for the Non-Executive Board positions from: Trish Hanna, Lifestart Susan Montrose, KU Children's Services Beth Todd, Early Connections Kerry Dominish, Early Ed Jenna Goalab, Shepherd Centre (ACT) Alice Lans, Noah's The (6) named above were declared Non-Executive Board members. No ballot was required as nominations received filled all outgoing vacancies. Janelle Burke from Dubbo and Robyn Bryce from Orange both retired at this AGM; their contribution to ECI services and to ECIA in NSW over many years was gratefully acknowledged. Treasurer Report 2017 “I am pleased to report on the Audited Financial Statements for the period ending 30 June 2017. The financial statements, audited by Flavio Meoli of Meoli & Co. Chartered Accountants are now available. ECIA NSW/ACT has had another positive financial year with a surplus of $62,047 achieved through a significant increase in membership and a successful Professional Development program, including the well attended biennial conference” (Sylvana Mahmic, ECIA NSW/ACT Treasurer). Inclusion Symposium held on 30 November 2017 The Inclusion Symposium, Partners in Practice was held on 30 November 2017 and was all about collaboration and exploring innovative ways to improve inclusive practice in the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI). The symposium had an interactive format with many opportunities for discussion and networking. Click here to view or download the Agenda. Click here to view or download the Program. Click here to view or download the Program. Click here to view photos from the event. Grant in Aid Funding 2017 – Report for Members Grant in Aid Funding 2017 – Report for Members ECIA NSW/ACT, through funding provided by the NSW Department of Education, provided sponsorship opportunities to our members throughout NSW for one-off events that provide support to families in relation to the educational needs of their young children with diverse disabilities and/or developmental delays. In 2017, organisations were able to apply for assistance to support a project that is responsive to identified local need to a maximum value of $2000 per project. These small grants make a significant difference to the successful applicants’ capacity to respond to their locally-identified family information and support needs. Following submissions, funding was awarded to: · All Together Therapy in Port Macquarie: Positive parenting workshop for challenging behaviours · CRANES in Grafton: Early Childhood Intervention Information Day · Early Connection in Port Macquarie: Thriving at School workshop for families who had a child starting school in 2018 · Early Ed in North Sydney: Informed decision making for Augmentative and Alternative Communication choice workshop · Monaro Early Intervention Service in Cooma: Visuals – what they are and how to use them workshop The activities offered received very positive feedback from the families who participated. In particular, all the events helped build capacity and confidence of parents to assist their child as well as their family. Many of the providers utilised the funding to engage presenters and subject matter experts, which for regional families especially can find it difficult and expensive to source on their own. Image: Parents at the workshop Thriving at School in Port Macquarie With the coming restructure of ECIA to a National body, 2017 was the final year that ECIA NSW/ACT will administer the Grant in Aid funding. Thank you to all the members who applied for funds and provided much valued workshops and events for their community. Inclusion Symposium 2017 Registrations Now Open! 2017 Registrations Now Open! The 2017 Inclusion Symposium Partners in practice is all about collaboration and exploring innovative ways to improve inclusive practice in the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI). The symposium will have an interactive format with many opportunities for discussion and networking. Click here to register or for more information. ILC National Readiness Grants The 2nd grant round closes at 2pm on Friday 29 September 2017 The Australian Government is inviting applications via an open competitive process to apply to deliver services under the Implementing Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) – ILC National Readiness Grants from 2017-18 to 2018-19. As part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) National Readiness Grants are designed to make the community more accessible and help increase the independence, social and community participation of people with a disability. Click here for more information or to apply. CEO Report March 2018 CEO REPORT March 2018 e-Newsletter For the next three months, the NDIS e-News and the e-Bulletin will be combined into a monthly e-Newsletter. We are also working with ECIA nationally to support a national newsletter, due to be released in June 2018. ECEI TENDER At the time of writing this e-Newsletter, there is still no news about the outcome of the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Partner Tender for NSW. The impact of this transition was the subject of a workshop at the Managers Forum on Thursday, 1st March 2018. We have summarised the key issues and plan to have a meeting with the ECEI Transition Providers and hopefully Partners, once the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have made the formal announcement. ECIA NSW: ROUND TABLE AND WHITE PAPER ON CHILDREN AT RISK ECIA NSW/ACT and its Executive, continue to represent the organisation and to meet regularly with Ageing Disability & Home Care (ADHC), the Department of Education (DoE), Family & Community Services (FACs) and other relevant state and territory agencies. Several meeting were held with the Executive and the Department of Premiere and Cabinet (DPC), culminating in a Round Table event held on the 29 November 2017, in relation to the future of Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) disability services in NSW post June 2018. A second Round Table was held on the 21st March 2018. A comprehensive White Paper has been developed and a series of case studies. In summary, the paper identifies 'cohorts of children' who are not likely to be eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and children and their families who are at risk, who may or may not access or be supported by the ECEI Partner and/or mainstream services. These are collectively defined as the 'gaps' cohort. This White Paper aims to address the role, capacity and remit of agencies involved in the child’s life including shared responsibilities. This includes the need for a common data set across NSW Government services accessed by children with a developmental delay or disability aged 0-6. We want a solutions focus on the best means of providing wrap around services for families and children experiencing vulnerability and who are at risk of developmental delay and disability. The outcome of the Round Table was is essence to affirm that children and families at risk, continue to be those experiencing trauma; the interplay between NDIS and health; Out of Home Care; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families; Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities or families; vulnerable and socially isolated families, babies at risk (2-3 year olds); complex families (e.g. mental health challenges) and rural and remote families and children. Next steps ECIA NSW/ACT will be finalising the White Paper into a Position Paper, that will be sent out to members with additional comments to be incorporated as required. The Position Paper will be submitted to relevant agencies including the NDIA and state government departments. In April and May, ECIA NSW/ACT will continue to meet with DPC to support a holistic ‘all of government’ approach and make appropriate representations to government. MANAGER'S FORUM Another successful Manager's Forum was held on the 21 March 2018. I trust all members have received feedback from those attending these forums. The forum heard from an excellent Panel on Work, Health & Safety (WHS) The panel discussed emerging occupational, health and safety issues, the NDIS impact (e.g. home visits and travel); child protection; managing stress; mental health and positive psychology. Our guest panelists were: Alan Hough, Sector Support Consultant, National Disability Services (NDS) Sue Becker, CEO, Lifestart and Jane Robinson, General Manager, People Services, KU Children’s Services The second forum work-shopped gaps in mainstream and community services for children with a developmental delay or disability aged 0-6 I introduced ECIA NSW/ACT's work on the 'gaps' and Children at Risk. The main afternoon session was devoted to the ECEI Transition. Chris McClelland from the NDIA, gave us some of her valuable time and the forum discussed the key issues and concerns associated with the soon to be announced Early Childhood (EC) Partners. Click here view or download a 'wrap-up' of the Managers' Forum. SECTOR DEVELOPMENT / NDIS Regional / Sector NDIS readiness A number of regional ECIA NSW/ACT meetings with members are being scheduled across NSW and ACT regional areas over the next two months. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS Online best practice project ECIA has contracted ACT based Sue Davies as Project Manager, Denise Luscombe (WA) and Noahs (VIC) to develop a series of online e-Learning Modules on the National Best Practice Guidelines. This will complement the online legacy projects that ECIA NSW/ACT are finalising, namely Does This Child Need Help? (DTCNH?) and the Inclusion Partners in Practice (IPIP) e-Learning modules. National Constitution / Transition A national ECIA Constitution for a company limited by guarantee has been adopted by the ECIA Board by way of a special resolution meeting held on the 20th March 2018. Transition plans have been developed for each Chapter and are running to schedule. For the NSW/ACT Chapter, this is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). RESEARCH PROJECTS The two year research project with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is coming to a close. Thank you to everyone for your support and contribution. · The project with UNSW is tracking well to the project plan, is on time and overall has been successful to date · The Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) team is currently looking at secondary data to include in the report along with the primary data received from surveys and interviews · First draft of the final report will be received by ECIA NSW/ACT in 20 April 2018 · A Reference Committee meeting will be held on 1st May 2018 · The final report will be disseminated to our members and will be available on the website and circulated to relevant stakeholders PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT · The Leap Pad learning Program and Professional Development Calendar is currently winding down, with the focus now on delivering in-house courses ‘on-demand’ · We are currently finalising the online modules for DTCNH? as an online e-Learning program. This will eventually be available via the ECIA National website. MEMBERSHIP · Over 78 ECI services have now become Organisational Members · Individual (Professional) Membership is at 300 in addition to our organisations We are currently working with ECIA national to support the development of a national membership database and national website. COMMUNICATIONS A New ECIA NSW/ACT Website was launched in February 2018. Please go and have a look and update your details! The NDIS e-News and e-Bulletin has been combined into a monthly e-Newsletter, with the 1st National e-Newsletter due to be released in June 2018! INCLUSION · The main activity currently and over the next few months will be the development of the IPIP e-Learning Modules and associated videos and resources · The latest online Inclusion Community of Practice BLOG has been released · Cases for Change is being finalised, that will include practical cases on best practice that will be a stand-alone resource and will be incorporated into the IPIP modules Until next time, best wishes. Margie O’Tarpey CEO ECIA NSW/ACT March 2018 Showing 0 Comment Comments are closed.