Paul from Australia
05-21-2008, 11:42 PM
G'day all :)
I went to the meeting run by Grant's advocate on Tuesday, where he discussed in detail the new changes coming about on July 1 regarding different levels of self funding being =
1. Client/carer/guardian etc, has 100% control of all funds.
2. Client/carer/guardian etc, has most of the control, but a banker/accountant attends to accounts.
3. Chewy on your boot where the situation remains the same.
UNFORTUNATELY
Unfortunately the first roll out of this particular funding package is only for the Southern region where 100 clients will be involved. We are in the Eastern region so we do not qualify :mad: This is VERY frustrating, but there is not much we can do.
Grant's advocate said that he would put Grant's name forward to the Department and see if they would stretch a little, so you never know, Grant might get in, but honestly it is not very likely.
MONEY AND A GREAT DAY
After the meeting I was invited to be interviewed by a researcher in relation to risks = AHA! That suited me down to a tee, because of Grant's activities being forbidden at his day centre because of so called percieved risks, which really is a load of codswallop:) At the end of the interview (took about an hour) the researcher said that I had to be paid, so I signed a document and pocketed $40 = how about that :)
Our friend Joan (not her real name) who introduced us to Grant, was at the meeting, so we then caught a taxi into the city. She had a meeting with a lawyer for her adopted son (profound Downes and profound Autist) and I went along.
Then we went to the highest building in Australia and zoomed up to the top floor for a view, which was fantastic. Then we went to dinner at Southbank. It was a great day, courtesy of Alison as she let me off for the day :)
For now we will have to put up with the contracting agency ripping the Department off by charging $30 an hour and paying the carers $20 an hour. We are confident that we will ultimately have control of Grant's funds but it may not be for a while yet.
seeya,
Paul, Alison and Grant the champ in championship mode :)
I went to the meeting run by Grant's advocate on Tuesday, where he discussed in detail the new changes coming about on July 1 regarding different levels of self funding being =
1. Client/carer/guardian etc, has 100% control of all funds.
2. Client/carer/guardian etc, has most of the control, but a banker/accountant attends to accounts.
3. Chewy on your boot where the situation remains the same.
UNFORTUNATELY
Unfortunately the first roll out of this particular funding package is only for the Southern region where 100 clients will be involved. We are in the Eastern region so we do not qualify :mad: This is VERY frustrating, but there is not much we can do.
Grant's advocate said that he would put Grant's name forward to the Department and see if they would stretch a little, so you never know, Grant might get in, but honestly it is not very likely.
MONEY AND A GREAT DAY
After the meeting I was invited to be interviewed by a researcher in relation to risks = AHA! That suited me down to a tee, because of Grant's activities being forbidden at his day centre because of so called percieved risks, which really is a load of codswallop:) At the end of the interview (took about an hour) the researcher said that I had to be paid, so I signed a document and pocketed $40 = how about that :)
Our friend Joan (not her real name) who introduced us to Grant, was at the meeting, so we then caught a taxi into the city. She had a meeting with a lawyer for her adopted son (profound Downes and profound Autist) and I went along.
Then we went to the highest building in Australia and zoomed up to the top floor for a view, which was fantastic. Then we went to dinner at Southbank. It was a great day, courtesy of Alison as she let me off for the day :)
For now we will have to put up with the contracting agency ripping the Department off by charging $30 an hour and paying the carers $20 an hour. We are confident that we will ultimately have control of Grant's funds but it may not be for a while yet.
seeya,
Paul, Alison and Grant the champ in championship mode :)