Progress report - 2008
Objective 13: Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives
| Agency | Project | Project Aim | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre for Housing Research New Zealand (CHRANZ) www.chranz.co.nz |
Housing needs of children | To investigate the housing needs of children and young people, including disabled children. | CHRANZ published two reports: • Children’s and Young people’s Housing Experiences: Issues and Scoping Paper- this research investigated the connections between children and young people’s social, cultural and economic outcomes and their housing circumstances. • Access to Safe and Secure Housing for at Risk and Vulnerable Young People – this research investigates the alignment between the housing sector and the housing needs of vulnerable and at risk young people, including those with disabilities. |
| Ministry of Social Development www.msd.govt.nz |
Five-Year Action Plan for Out of School Services (OSCAR) for disabled children | To improve access to Out of School Services (OSCAR) for disabled children as part of a Five-Year Action Plan. | The Five-Year Action Plan for Out of School Services was released for public consultation in June 2007. The Plan includes proposals to: • improve the accessibility and affordability of OSCAR for disabled children and young people and their families • provide subsidies and grants for approved small-scale and home– based services • provide subsidies to all families to all families who earn less than a certain amount and use approved OSCAR, regardless of their employment status • fund an inclusion Support programme for disabled children and young people and those at risk of poor outcomes. |
| Early Years Intervention approach | To recognise the value of intervening as early as possible to support better outcomes for families and their children, including those with disabled children. To use a coordinated approach for early intervention for families with disabled children, involving government departments, the non-government sector and local communities. |
Families with disabled children are accessing services and support under Strengthening Families and Family Start on the same basis as other families. An online reporting tool is being developed so information can be accessed regularly. Family and Community Services met with Ministry of Health officials to discuss opportunities to increase the awareness of families with children with disabilities about Strengthening Families, and the coordinated multi agency support around families. Information on Strengthening Families, as well as a link to the Strengthening Families website, have been placed on the Ministry of Health’s Disability Services web pages. |
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| Interagency collaboration between Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Health. | To facilitate greater interagency collaboration and improved service delivery for disabled children and young people and their families who are involved with Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Health. | A joint Child, Youth and Family and Ministry of Health work programme has been developed in response to The Best of Care? review of the interface between the two agencies. The programme will provide advocacy for disabled children and young people. |