2014-07-22 Infrastructure & Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   22 JULY 2014


2.    Update on future changes to Federal Government funding model

Council has received advice that the funding model for community care services will change in
the future. This change has stemmed from a pilot Community Age Care reform in 2010, which
found that care recipients and their carers wanted increased flexibility, choice and control of their
care. The focus on services within the industry is shifting towards “wellness and reablement”.

Consumer Directed Care (CDC) ‘is a way of delivering services that allows consumers to have
greater control over their own lives by allowing them to make choices about the types of care and
services they access and the delivery of those services’ (www.health.gov.au, 2013).

It is anticipated that the current Home and Community Care (HACC) funding will continue in the
future but there is uncertainty around the percentage of funding that will be received by the
Service and the percentage of funding that will be received by the client.

The exact changes and timeframes are also unclear because the proposed changes are still in
the feedback and consultation phase. The current CDC trial will be evaluated this financial year.
The existing funding model may remain unchanged for three years (until 2018), however, the
rollout of changes is expected to commence during the next financial year (2015/16).

Home Care Packages were introduced in August 2013 as part of the CDC trial. In the future,
only certain services will be funded under package care (approximately 75% of the services
currently delivered by the Centre). Other services will remain available to clients under the
existing block funding model (eg. home modification, home maintenance, transport).

Home Care Packages represent the amount of funding available to an individual based on their
assessed level of need. Under the CDC model, clients will be able to choose services based on
the amount of funding in their package. With the rollout of the CDC funding model, standard fees
will be introduced for services (and the level of funding for the client will be means tested).

The CDC model will require clients to use a broker or self-manage their funding in order to
access services. Given the acquittal requirements it is anticipated that most clients will use a
broker to access community care services. It will be important for Council’s service to provide up
to date information to these brokers.

The National Disability Incentive Scheme (NDIS) will also have an impact on Council’s service as
it will introduce another CDC model specific to disability assistance. The NDIS is not expected to
be implemented until 2018.

3.    Rebranding – Noosa Community Care.

For a number of years the Noosa Day Respite Centre has struggled with the perception that the
only service it provides is respite care. As shown above, 12 services are delivered out of the
Centre. The Respite Centre itself will continue to be known as Noosa Day Respite Centre,
however, it will be just one of the services delivered by Council.

To better communicate the range of services provided, increase current business opportunities,
and reposition the service to prepare for the funding model changes, rebranding is required.
Rebranding of the service to Noosa Community Care brings the service up to date and indicates
the range of services available.

Why Noosa Community Care? Community Care is a commonly used term that indicates a
support system established for frail older people, people with disability and the carers of both
groups. Community care allows people to remain in the community and live in their own homes,
and aims to prevent early admission to institutional or residential care settings.


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