The Miwatj Health Both Ways Model provides concise summaries of their NDIS program in remote North East Arnhem Land: 1. They launched their NDIS program in 2017 with 206 participants so far, focusing on building participants' capabilities and control over their own futures. 2. Their program includes coordination of support, outreach support coordinators who visit communities weekly, and community connectors who are local Yolŋu staff providing cultural brokerage. 3. Transitioning to the NDIS in very remote areas has brought challenges around remote service delivery, plan quality, and moving from block to fee-for-service funding, but also successes through collaboration, relationship building, and advocacy.

1. Miwatj Health Both Ways Model
Making the NDIS work in Very Remote
North East Arnhem Land, NT
Presented by: Mark Kelly – Miwatj NDIS Director

2. NDIS Transition in East Arnhem
• NDIS went live in East Arnhem April 2017
• Very Remote as per the Price Guide
• Bi-Lateral Agreement target 500 Participants
• Currently 206 Participants with active Plans
– 171 Indigenous
– 35 non-Indigenous

3. Overview
1. Both Ways Model
2. Miwatj Health NDIS Program
3. NDIS Transition
4. Systems used to support CoS

4. NDIS Access, Planning and Implementation

5. Miwatj Both Ways Model
Our Vision
Building the capabilities of Miwatj mala so they can
take control of their lives and direct their own
futures

6. Miwatj Both Ways Model
NDIS Program
Coordination of
Support (CoS)
Outreach
Support
Coordinator
Community
Connector
• Provider orientated
• Stakeholder engagement
• NDIA interaction
• Participant orientated
• Travels to/lives in community
• Relationship building
• Local, Yolŋu staff
• Lives in community
• Cultural brokerage

7. Coordination of Support(CoS)
1. Manages the Plan Budget
2. Reasonable and Necessary
3. Service Bookings/Agreements
4. Provider research and
referrals
5. NDIA liaison
6. Plan Reviews
7. Progress Reports
Coordination of
Support(CoS)
Outreach
Support
Coordinator
Community
Connector

8. Outreach Support Coordinator
1. Travels weekly or lives in community
2. Works alongside Community
Connectors
3. Facilitates meetings with Participants
and families
4. Engages with local stakeholders and
promotes NDIS registration
5. Facilitates ARFs for new Participants
6. Supports Participants and Families
through Planning meetings and
reviews
7. Feeds gathered information to
Admin COS
Outreach Support
Coordinator
Coordination of
Support(CoS)
Community
Connector

9. Community Connectors
1. Yolŋu staff based in
community
2. Wealth of knowledge
3. Cultural brokerage
4. Contextual
interpretation
5. Planning Meetings
6. Plan Reviews
7. NDIA funded program
Community
Connector
Coordination of
Support(CoS)
Outreach
Support
Coordinator

10. NDIS Transition Challenges
Remote service delivery
• Geographical location
• Lack of Service Providers
‘A Plane Built in Flight’
• Quality of Plans
• Inconsistencies of Information
• Access discrepancies
Competitive Market
• Block Funding to Fee for Service

11. NDIS Transition - Successes
Collaborative partnerships
• Taking time to build trust with Participants
• Relationships with local clinics
• Extra Planning Meeting preparations
• Educating local service providers
• Working with other CoS to advocate issues to the NDIA
• Getting to know your local NDIA office
• Participant Pooling
• Provider Pooling

12. NDIS Transition - Successes
Breakthroughs!
• First Motorised Scooter on Milingimbi Island
• First NDIS funded disability bus through CoS revenue
generated
• Community activities supported by Community Workers
• Respite a first for a number of Participants
• Housing modifications
• In-community respite
• Transitions from school to work
• Early Childhood Intervention

14. Systems Used To Support
Coordination of Support
(COS)

15. Health records
Diagnosis
Treatment history
Medical Information for Short Term Accommodation
Functional capacity
Supporting Evidence
Health/Medical Information Management
Communicare

16. Coordination of Supports Log
Microsoft Excel
Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation NDIS Systems

17. Thank you
Questions?