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

corporateservicesThe Corporate ServicesDivision provides essentialbusiness administrationservices, including finance,information technology, libraryservices and facilities maintenance.The Division’s charter also includesthe portfolio responsibilities forBusiness Development andGovernment Relations.Preparing for the future hasbeen the key theme guiding theactivities of the Division throughoutthe year. Contributing to newstrategic business acquisitionsdesigned to support serviceexpansion, as well as enhancinginternal operations to increaseefficiency, were priorities for staffoperating across Finance,Information Technology, LibraryServices, and Facility Services.Business DevelopmentWith the Australian Government’sdecision to design a NationalDisability Insurance Scheme(NDIS) for people living withdisability, their families and carers,ensuring Novita is well placed todeliver high quality services andembrace new opportunities intothe future continued to underpinbusiness development activities.Highlights and achievementsThe Division contributed to theactivities required for Novita toestablish a new, wholly ownedsubsidiary company, CareFirst PtyLtd, and its strategic acquisition of afee-for-service business, Child’s PlayPhysiotherapy & Aquatics for Kids.The Division also contributed toNovita’s strategic acquisition ofCommunity Choices, enabling theorganisation to offer servicesincluding respite, personal care,domestic assistance, day optionsand life skills development tochildren, adolescents and adultswith a disability.Another highlight was the grantof $253,000 in one-off fundingachieved under the AustralianGovernment Department ofClimate Change and EnergyEfficiency, Community EnergyEfficiency Program, to implementenergy efficiency upgrades andretrofits to Novita’s Regency ParkCentre, enabling the organisationto substantially reduce its energyconsumption into the future.Successful negotiations led toa funding contribution from theNew South Wales GovernmentDepartment of Family andCommunity Services to continuethe provision of visiting paediatricoutreach clinics into Broken Hill.Government RelationsIn a changing disability andchildhood policy environment,advocating for the special needsof children and young people livingwith disability continued to be apriority throughout the year. TheDivision contributed to Novita’snon-partisan approach toadvocacy and governmentrelations through a range ofmechanisms, including a formalsubmission to the State Budget.With the implementation of newdisability reform measures, includingthe NDIS and recommendationscontained in the South AustralianGovernment’s Strong Voicesreport, the Division contributed toNovita’s representations togovernment aimed at ensuring thatthe special needs of children livingwith disability are given priority. Italso continued to support theorganisation’s involvement as anactive member of peak disabilitysector bodies such as NationalDisability Services, Cerebral PalsyAustralia and Ability First Australia.Highlights and achievementsNovita hosted a media conferencein December 2011, attended bythe Federal Minister for DisabilityReform, the Hon Jenny MacklinMP, the Premier of South Australia,the Hon Jay Weatherill MP and theState Minister for Disabilities, theHon Ian Hunter MLC, who jointlyannounced the decision to expandpersonalised funding packages forpeople with a disability.34novita children’s serivces annual report