QUICK REFERENCE: What’s The Buzz Newsletter | Telephone Information, Support & Referral |
Cerebral Palsy Support Network Members Trust Fund | Support groups | On-line services | Information sessions | Cerebral Palsy Brokerage Program |
The CPSN offers a range of support services including:
WHAT’S THE BUZZ NEWSLETTER
A bi-monthly newsletter containing information about various issues relating to cerebral palsy. This is a great resource to help keep you in touch with what services are available, what’s happening in the community, and with the CPSN. This is available to all members either in hard copy or electronically. If you subscribe to our email mailing list, you will automatically be sent the current newsletter bi-monthly. Previous newsletters are available here:
WTB October 2007
WTB December 2007
WTB February 2008
WTB April 2008
WTB June 2008
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TELEPHONE INFORMATION, SUPPORT & REFERRAL
Our office manager, Kim Henderson, is available Mon-Fri 9-5 to Our Support and Information Coordinator Di Cunningham is available Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-3.30pm. Kim has worked extensively with individuals with a disability and their families. She is available in all circumstances-whether to answer difficult questions or just to have a friendly chat on (03) 9445 7488 or TOLL FREE: 1300 277 600 (1300 CPSN 00).
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CEREBRAL PALSY SUPPORT NETWORK MEMBERS TRUST FUND
Following the success of fundraising events, CPSN is able to offer its members the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $500. The purpose of the grants are to directly support an individual with cerebral palsy. Members are encouraged to apply for something that would enhance their life. The CPSN would like their members to be creative with this funding. Requests could include for example, drama lessons, sporting equipment, musical instruments- the possibilities are endless.
The CPSN would like to extend the opportunities to our members to benefit from these grants. To encourage sponsorship and further grant opportunities, successful grant recipients must be willing to have their story used in promotional material, sponsorship proposals etc.
Click here to download more information about the Members Trust Fund (PDF file).
MEMBERS TRUST FUND SUCCESSFUL RECIPIENTS
The Cerebral Palsy Support Network is proud to announce 12 successful members who will receive funding for projects up to $500 from The Members Trust Fund.
33 year old member: $120 football club membership / $80 for Tadvic project
29 year old member: $495 for cup holder.
4 year old member: $500 towards Mini Maestro and Swimming lessons.
8 year old member: $500 towards desk and chair.
23 month old member: $500 towards a second skin sleeve.
8 year old member: $500 towards lights, puppets and software so she can create animations online.
16 year old member: $500 towards grooming needs.
12 year old member: $500 for guitar lessons to compliment her talents.
16 year old member: $500 for personal trainor at a gym.
6 year old member: $500 for slide.
7 year old member: $500 towards a computer.
34 year old member: $500 towards support with holiday costs, accomodation, petrol.
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SUPPORT GROUPS
The CPSN currently has two support groups, one open to all people with Cerebral Palsy, their parents and carers; and one for teenagers with CP.
CPSN Coffee Sessions
Weekly meetings held in various locations. This is to enable individuals from different regions to meet and chat with other members in a relaxed environment over a coffee or a light lunch.
Join a support group near you. Check out our events calendar online for dates and locations.
Phone (03) 9445 7488 or TOLL FREE: 1300 277 600 (1300 CPSN 00) for further information.
MAY 2010
WED 12th MAY
Stuzzi
319-325 High St
Northcote
WED 19th MAY
Retro Cafe
413 Brunswick St
Fitzroy
WED 26th MAY
Mambourin
Sensory Gardens
1 Recreation Cl. (off Ballan Rd)
Werribee
JUNE 2010
WED 2nd JUNE
Waves
101 Wells Street
FRANKSTON
12pm - 2pm
WED 2nd JUNE
Kofi Beans
137 Main St
CROYDON
10am-12pm
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Access All Areas (AAA) - Teenage social group
This teenage social group is now offered to all members between the ages of 13 and 18. Fun activities are organised monthly, and vary from trout fishing to attending a Comedy Festival event. Participants are supported by competent young adults in the development of skills that will make them more independent and self assured when accessing their community.
The aim of the program is to build confidence, empower independence - and of course to have fun!
Most activity costs, including return home travel, admission to events and refreshments, are covered by the CPSN, with participants accompanied by staff and volunteers.
The AAA social group has been initiated to assist young individuals between the ages of 13 - 18 with Cerebral Palsy to:
- Build confidence socialising and communicating within the wider community
- Develop strategies and skills to deal with a variety of social occasions
- Learn to take managed risks through peer support
- Acquire the required skills to access and use public transport successfully
For this program to be of the most benefit, teenage participants with Cerebral Palsy require the following skills, or the capacity to develop these skills over time:
- The ability to be independent most of the time in the community as an adult.
- The ability to develop skills required to interact/ communicate needs with members of the general public without assistance from another person.
- The social skills to be able to take advantage of the interaction that this group offers with other teenagers of similar ages and abilities.
- Have the intellectual ability to develop skills such as using a phone, money handling, reading timetables, purchasing food and refreshments.
If you feel that you, or somebody you know with Cerebral Palsy will benefit from this program, please contact our AAA Co-ordinator, at the CPSN for more info.
City of Melbourne has generously provided funding for the AAA program to continue in the new year.
MAY 2010
SUN 16th MAY
Shopping at DFO South Wharf
JUNE 2010
SUN 10th JUNE
Ten Pin Bowling at Galactic Circus, Crown Casino
SUN 18th JUNE
Shape your AAA (venue to be confirmed)
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ON-LINE SERVICES
The CPSN hosts a website with information about cerebral palsy and the services the CPSN provides its members. It also has links to other disability related services.
You can also subscribe to our email database to receive regular, relevant information about CP. This is a free service available to all. Just submit your email address at the top of this page.
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INFORMATION SESSIONS
The CPSN runs information sessions on topics, which relate to cerebral palsy and related issues. The topics chosen and number of information sessions per year are guided by feedback we receive from our membership and as the need arises.
Some information sessions are about the services we proved eg: Brokerage Program, and are presented by members of the committee or staff. Other times we cover topics where an expert in that particular field is required and a guest speaker presents it.
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CEREBRAL PALSY BROKERAGE PROGRAM
In 1999 the CPSN responded to an identified need and devised the Cerebral Palsy Brokerage Program (CPBP) for its members. The program has worked so well that it is now open to anyone in Australia who has cerebral palsy or closely related disability. This person must be eligible to access funding from an agency or funding program. The CPBP enables client/family to engage an employee who has been selected by them and can meet their needs or the needs of the family member who requires care. Once the CPBP pack has been completed in full and authorisation has been gained from the funding agency the CPBP Co-Ordinator will notify you in writing and care can commence. The CPBP enables client/family to choose their own employees and to arrange days and times that best suit their individual situation directly with the employee.
What are the advantages of the Cerebral Palsy Brokerage Program?
- The CPSN administration fee is considerably less than other respite agencies. Our rates are based on the DHS unit cost; however, following wages, superannuation, work-cover and administration costs being paid all surplus finds remain with the family. That means the opportunity for the family to utilize their money for extra care!
- The client/family selects their own employee or employees, whatever the client/family needs dictate.
- Care can be extremely flexible as the client/family is liaising directly with the employee not a third party. Times and days can be organised around the clients/families needs which, as you know, can be constantly changing.
How do I start?
Firstly the family will need to have available funding through a funding body. The family may either contact the funding body and ask them to have their respite dollars brokered through the CPSN or the funding body may approach the family with the information. The family contacts the CPSN for a Brokerage Pack, which needs to be filled out by the family and returned to the CPSN. Transport may be part of the carers role in which case a travel allowance may be allocated. Employees will abide by the Australian Collective Workplace Agreement which is currently in place.
What happens then?
From there, the CPSN will receive a purchase order from the agency listing the amount of funding available to the family. The break up of costing will include:
- Amount of Funding Dollars and time period of funding
- Administration Fee
- Travel Allowance (if relevant)
- 9% Super Excess for carer wages amounting to over $450 p.c.m.
The CPSN will then invoice the agency for the funding. Once the pack is completed the family is contacted by the CPSN and the carer can begin.
Payroll for carers is handled by the CPSN, which includes superannuation, tax, work cover and insurance.
For further information or clarification on Cerebral Palsy Brokerage Program, please contact the CPSN office on: TOLL FREE: 1300 CPSN 00 (277 600),
Ph: (03) 9445 7488,
Fax: (03) 9445 7489
or Email: cpbrokerageprog@cpsn.info
Click here to download more information about the Brokerage Program (PDF file).
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