Novita Annual Report 2012 (Large file - PDF - 4Mb )

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chief executive’sreportPositioning Novita for successin a changing disabilityenvironment is paramount toNovita’s future development andsustainability. During 2011-12,Novita embarked on a numberof new initiatives that havestrengthened and diversifiedthe organisation.Our executive structure wasreviewed and enhanced to ensureit continues to advance Novita’sstrategic directions andimportantly, provide the agilityrequired to successfully developand support our operations withinthe emerging new disability andchildhood policy environment.This new structure is supportedby a new management model thatnow integrates all client servicefunctions within one framework.This has achieved economies ofscale, improved productivity andimportantly is continuing toenhance the experience for ourclients through a seamlessservice and product offering.The Division of Research andInnovation was reviewed duringthe year, resulting in thebroadening of its scope froma research and knowledgegeneration focus to now alsoincluding knowledge acquisitionand translation activities. This hasenabled Novita to better use itsresearch to inform and enhancethe delivery of its services whichwill positively impact upon ourclient’s experience and ensureour services continue to remaincontemporary and best practice.Reflecting this, the department isto be known as Knowledge andInnovation as a business unitwithin Client Services.New servicesDuring the year, Novita acquiredan enterprise known as CommunityChoices. Established as a familybusiness in 1996, CommunityChoices provides quality accreditedservices, including day options,recreation, in-home personalsupport and respite. Services areprovided to children, adolescentsand adults living with a disabilityon a fee-for-service basis throughoutSouth Australia. The decision toacquire Community Choices alignswith Novita’s commitment tobuilding a stronger future, byexpanding into new services tosupport more children and peoplewith a disability, diversifying ourrevenue and developing Novita’sreputation as a leading disabilityservice provider.This acquisition followed anearlier decision to establish a new,wholly owned subsidiary companyknown as CareFirst Pty Ltd. Duringthe year, this separate companyalso acquired a fee-for-servicebusiness, known as Child’s Play,which provides aquatic andland-based physiotherapy tochildren and young people withspecial needs inclusive ofdisability. It is planned thatearnings from Child’s Play will bereturned to Novita to contributetoward the cost of delivering ourservices and programs in the future.Novita also successfullytendered to become a provider forthe Australian Government’s BetterStart for Children with Disabilityprogram. From 1 July 2011,children who are aged under sixyears and have been diagnosedwith sight and hearing impairments,Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndromeand Fragile X Syndrome can registerto access early intervention fundingfrom the Australian Government ofup to $12,000 (to a maximum of$6,000 per financial year). Thisindividualised funding is used byfamilies to access Novita’s BetterStart services, which includeaquatic therapy, occupationaltherapy, physiotherapy, psychologyand speech pathology. NovitaBetter Start staff work with familiesto ensure that the servicespurchased as part of Better Startare complementary to thosealready received through Novita’sstandard services, to enhance thechild’s overall therapy plan. Thistargeted early intervention in thepre-school years complementsexisting federal and state servicesand assists children in preparingfor their transition to school.08novita children’s serivces annual report
Influencing policyNovita continued to advocate forthe special needs of children andyoung people with disabilitythroughout 2011-12 with a rangeof submissions made to both theAustralian and South AustralianGovernments designed toinfluence policy decisions so thatthey may have a positive impacton children and young peoplewith disabilities, their familiesand carers. Our submission to theSouth Australian State Budget alsoemphasised the annual challengeNovita faces as a charitableorganisation in addressing thedisparity between increasing costsand growing demand for ourservices. Despite importantcommunity philanthropic support,the need for a stronger foundationto support the implementation ofnew disability reforms promoted bythe South Australian Government’sStrong Voices report was advocated.It was therefore encouragingthat the South AustralianGovernment’s 2012-13 Budgetcontained an increase of $212.5million for disability services.Novita contributed to nationaland local policy activities andinitiatives through its collaborationwith peak bodies including AbilityFirst Australia, Cerebral PalsyAustralia and National DisabilityServices. This advocacy has alsobeen important during the AustralianGovernment’s development of aNational Disability InsuranceScheme (NDIS).Through Novita’s participationin the National Disability Services- National Committee on Children,Young People and their Families,we successfully contributed toinfluencing national policies andpractices that affect services forchildren and young people withdisabilities. These includedsignificant submissions to theProductivity Commission on theworkforce of the schools sector,schools funding and the AustralianGovernment Inclusion andProfessional Support Program.Novita maintained its activeparticipation within the SouthAustralian Ministerial AdvisoryCommittee: Students withDisabilities. This Committeeprovides advice to the SouthAustralian Minister for Educationand Child Development regardingthe provision of services to supportlearning and educationaldevelopment opportunities forchildren and students withdisabilities in government andnon-government pre-schools andschools. The Novita school supportprogram provides improved accessto curriculum for children withphysical or severe multipledisabilities. This important supportservice has continued to providetherapy in educational settings incollaboration with parents, teachersand other agencies.Furthermore, through ourmembership of the ReferenceGroup to the AustralianGovernment’s Better Start forChildren with Disability program,Novita contributed advice andadvocated for the needs ofchildren, as well as better practicemodels of engagement.novita children’s serivces annual report 09
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Page 6 and 7: historyFor 73 years Novita has been
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Page 15 and 16: The Police Association of SouthAust
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