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

clientservicesNovita’s name is derived fromthe Latin words – ‘nova’(new) and ‘vita’ (life). It isa name that represents hope,achievement and aspiration forour clients and their families.Government policy directions atfederal and state level, includingthe endorsement of a NationalDisability Insurance Scheme(NDIS) and personalised fundingpackages, are creating anexciting environment of hopeand aspiration for families withchildren with disabilities. Theseinitiatives will support families inhaving more control and choiceover how to support their childrenin achieving maximum potentialin their lives. This has providedrenewed stimulus and energywithin Novita’s Client Services inrelation to how the Division shouldbest evolve: how, where, when andwhat services should be provided,and in a manner that is valuedby current and future clients andtheir families. Concurrent withthese developments, evolutionand improvement discussionsand planning, service deliveryin children’s and communityprograms has continued to grow.Highlights and achievementsService delivery commenced forchildren eligible for early interventionfunding via the AustralianGovernment’s Better Start forChildren with a Disability initiative.Through this service, children agedsix with a diagnosis of cerebralpalsy, Down syndrome, sight orhearing impairment or Fragile Xsyndrome can access physiotherapy,occupational therapy and speechpathology up to a maximum of$6,000 per year. Currently 96children are registered with Novita’sBetter Start Program. Of these, 76are current Novita clients who alsoaccess services as part of Novita’sEarly Childhood Services.In December 2011, 33 childrenfrom the Home Interaction Programfor Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY)were presented with their graduatingcertificates from the Early ChildhoodEnrichment Program. Novita wasvery pleased to learn in early May2012 that the Australian Governmentwill continue to fund all current sites,as well as extend this program to50 new sites in Australia.More than 200 new childrenwere welcomed into Novita’s EarlyChildhood Service, Child andAdolescent Service (CAS), andRegional Programs over the lastyear. Overall, Novita continued toprovide therapy, equipment andfamily support to more than 2,000children during 2011-12. Servicesaim to facilitate and equip eachfamily with the skills, knowledge,equipment and communityconnections necessary to supporttheir child achieve maximum-levelindependence and quality of life.Assessments, reviews and serviceplanning are conducted bymulti-disciplinary teams ofoccupational therapists, speechpathologists, psychologists, socialworkers, physiotherapists, andfamily support coordinators, inpartnership with clients and theirfamilies. Improving the timelinessand responsiveness of serviceprovision is a priority. One-on-oneservices are enhanced by adiverse range of group programs,which include:• Babies and Toddlers• Planning for Preschool• Mini-Movers• Getting Ready for School• PlayGroup• Handwriting/Pre-writing• Splashers• Transition to High School• Move ‘n’ Groove• Siblings• Toilet Time• Movie Club• Sleepwise• Transition to Adult Services• Hanen - It Takes Two to TalkListening to consumers is a key18novita children’s serivces annual report