New model on trial in BoP

It was encouraging to hear that Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia is keeping a close eye on the much publicized new era in Disability Support Services.

“The Minister insists on a progress report every month,” said Alison Hearn from the Ministry of Health at the DSS forum in Manukau on Wednesday 16 March.

The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group at the Ministry of Health has developed a new model for these services, which is being trialled in the Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty area over the next year.

The fundamental difference between the old and new ways is that traditionally someone else made the decisions about what support is received. The new model allows the consumer to decide – with support - what services he or she needs to lead a life of quality.

Information and assistance will be given by Local Area Coordinators who will work alongside the disabled person, to help them decide on what they want from life. The new model will move towards giving funding rather than types and levels of services and increase the use of self assessment. The new way of thinking will increase choices and control over what disabled people can buy with the funding by expanding the availability of Individualised Funding and making supports more flexible.