How does ExtendABLE Online work?

We offer a weekly calendar of online groups run by our creative and engaging support workers, volunteers and staff. You can sign up for as many groups as you like provided there are spots available. 

The more people who sign up, the more groups that will be on offer!

What sort of groups will run?

Below are the groups we are currently running. We are adding more groups each week as more people join in this popular program.

Click to download a PDF version of our timetable and current activities here  

	Music and Rhythm with Sebastian Bring along your rhythm and soul and join in on this fun music and soundbased session. If you have an instrument you love to play – great, but if not, you’ll have just as much fun if clap or stomp your feet! Please note, this session can be loud, so be aware if you do not like a lot of noise.		All Things Gaming with Billy All Things Gaming is a social group for those interested in discussing and playing games across all consoles and devices. Each week we unpack the latest gaming news, review our favourite games, and complete construction challenges in Minecraft. Look forward to seeing you online!
	Crafts with Natalie Get creative with craft with Natalie! Test your skills and resource ability by engaging in fun, easy and imaginative projects! Don’t worry about how much craft experience you have, as this session caters to all abilities. Please note, this session requires some basic art supplies but will mostly be materials you already have at home.		Exercise with Elise Stay active and strong by doing a workout with friends. We all know it can be hard to get up and get moving, but if it means you get to catch up with friends and have fun while you do it, this is exercise you’ll look forward to. Stretch and Relax with Elise Enjoy some soft, tranquil music, gentle stretching and fun breathing exercises to help relax and refocus. These easy and calming activities will help you to strengthen and centre your body and ultimately, relax!
	Dancing with Emma Join Emma and get your boogie on while dancing to popular songs. Be sure to come with a water bottle as you’ll be sure getting your heart pumping in this active session.		Disney Story Time with Amanda This will be a visual extravaganza delivered by a true Disney fan (and our very own Volunteer Coordinator). Disney fans are invited to delve into a different Disney fantasy each week - and to join in with a dress up if they so inclined. Stories will be followed by quizzes and games.
	Fun and Games with Keely There’s never a dull moment in the Fun and Games sessions. Test your wits with some fun and interactive quizzes, join in on a game of hangman, or join in conversations about interesting topics. Best of all, you’ll make new friends as you catch up your peers in these weekly sessions.		Drawing with Keely Join our artist in residence, Mary in these fun and interactive drawing classes. Surprise family and friends as you produce both cartoon and life-like works of art each week. Don’t worry about how much drawing experience you have as this session cater to all abilities.

How does ExtendABLE work?

We will offer programs of support that run for a limited number of weeks. These will mostly be term based, but we may offer shorter programs during holidays. If you are interested in specific programs, let us know and we can develop something to suit you.

What do you need?

A device with an internet connection and camera – a laptop, PC or tablet will probably work best, but a phone may work for some sessions. We will generally require that you download the zoom app. Some sessions may require some extra items such a pen or paper, running shoes, or a percussion instrument,but we will try to make sure items can be found around the home.

Cost

For NDIS participants - each session will be charged at 1.5 times the relevant line items and divided by the number of people enrolled. You will also be charged a non-face-to-face component of 10 minutes per session, up to a maximum of 1 hour. For example, the Core supports cost for a group with 4 people will be $33.47 per session. 

For HACC participants - the program is available for free if you live in the local government areas of Cities of Casey, Cardinia, Greater Dandenong, Frankston and the Shire of Mornington Peninsula.

How do I sign up?

Send enrollment questions and enquiries to: Hayley (hayley@extendedfamilies.org.au) or sign up online via this form link.

Once you've chosen your groups, you'll be send a quote and a Service Agreement, as well as information about using zoom to participate.

There is no wait-list and you can join straight away!

Our Individual volunteers provide genuine friendship, practical assistance and mentoring support to a child or young person, helping them develop important life skills. They also help them take part in social activities such as a variety of sport, recreation and leisure events that are of interest to the child. Some volunteer matches also provide direct support for the family.

Our volunteer match program assists participants with developing: 

• Social and community participation; 
• Independence; 
• Health and Wellbeing; and 
• Service Coordination

How it works: 

• Each of our volunteers undergo an assessment process that determines their suitability as well as screening checks including police checks and referee checks, before they are selected. They then undergo comprehensive training. 
• The length of time for the matching process can vary. Finding a volunteer to provide the right support for a family can take time. Our family match coordinators are trained to find the perfect volunteer to match your needs and goals
• Once a match is made there is a 'getting to know you' period which allows everyone a chance to see how well the match fits. In some cases, we see instant connections but others take a little time to develop like any friendship. 
• We regularly undertake reviews with our volunteers and families to ensure the program/service is meeting your needs and adjust the support where necessary. At each review we also update key match information e.g. behavioural management, health & medication requirements. 

NDIS Category: 3.09 Increased social and community participation

Small to medium sized groups of children or young people with disabilities meet regularly, in a community venue and/or to access the community.

The group is supported by staff and volunteers. The groups build peer connections, help participants learn and strengthen social skills, build confidence and encourages participation in community activities and
events. Parents and siblings may attend some groups. Some groups are culturally specific and led by multi-lingual staff.

AVAILABLE FOR:

All eligible children and young people, including NDIS participants

NDIS CATEGORY:

1.04 Assistance with social and community participation

A weekend away for families held at a camp facility to enable positive connections, mutual support and fun experiences - a family holiday in a supported way. 

Possible (optional) additional support for part of the time to enable respite and opportunity for parent activities and interaction.

AVAILABLE FOR:

All eligible children and young people, including NDIS participants

NDIS CATEGORY:

3.09 Increased social and community participation

We currently offer My Time peer support groups in Springvale and Deer Park which supports developmental play experiences. These groups are facilitated by a Vietnamese speaking worker.

Other groups, including culturally specific groups, will be developed based on request or identified need. 

Parent education is provided as a one off session or a short series.

AVAILABLE FOR:

All eligible children and young people, including NDIS participants

NDIS CATEGORY:

3.09 Increased social and community participation

3.15 Improved daily living skills

Extended Families provides independent support coordination to help you manage your NDIS plan.

Our team of experienced staff will help you:

• assess support options
• connect with services
• manage your plan
• build your skills and confidence

For Support Coordination our age range is wider, also working with parents who have a disability, utilising both our strong individual and family focus to ensure positive outcomes.

Our support team are culturally sensitive and include bi-lingual staff in Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Arabic.

AVAILABLE FOR:

Children, young people and parents with a disability who have an NDIS plan

NDIS CATEGORY:

3.07 Coordination of support

Vuon lên and Tham Gia- Facilitating friendship, belonging and achievement for young Vietnamese people

Vuon lên (VL) and Tham Gia are group based community inclusion programs offered by Vietnamese Families with Special Needs and Extended Families Australia with funding provided through the NDIS’ Information, Linkages and Capacity Building scheme.

VL and Tham Gia support Vietnamese children, youth and young adults who have experienced significant barriers to meaning community participation because of their disability.

VL offers fortnightly structured small group friendship meet ups for young people with Autism (ages 15-18 and 19-24 years) with the aim of supporting participants to improve their social connection, build on their interests and strengths, develop key life skills to boost confidence and motivation, and facilitate community and vocational inclusion.  The program will run two groups in the western region (Brimbank - youth and young adult) and one in south east (Springvale – young adult) across 2021-2022.

Tham Gia provides school holiday events for both large and smaller groups of primary and secondary aged children/youth of Vietnamese background living with a disability in the western metro region.  The program offers supported opportunities for young people with various types of disabilities to experience locally based activities and to explore the communities in which they live.  It will offer support to 4 groups of young people and families (primary, secondary, senior secondary and families) with 4 events per school holiday period (one event per group per holiday break) commencing January 2021.

If you are interested in participating either of these programs please read the brochure for more details and complete and an Expression of Interest Form or contact one of the program’s Project Officers directly. 

Expression of Interests Forms should be received no later than 31^st December 2020.

Project Officers:

Julia Klieber 0451 665 057

Nga Do 0433 103 401 (Vietnamese Speaking)

As a registered plan management provider, Extended Families can manage the NDIS funding for supports on the participant’s behalf. Plan Management is a financial intermediary service that manages the financial and administrative aspects of an NDIS Plan.

We know that parents are busy managing and supporting their family. Plan Management can take away the stress of managing the funding aspect in your NDIS Plan.

One advantage of Plan Management is that the participant can receive
supports from service providers who are both registered and not
registered with the NDIS.

The service can be requested from the NDIS, and like Support Coordination Plan, it is an additional funded item and does not reduce funding from your other support budgets. There are no out of pocket expenses for participants.

What does our Plan Management service do?

Plan Management is a financial intermediary service and describes the processes of organising the financial and administrative aspects of the NDIS Plan on behalf of the participant. This includes:

• paying service provider / supplier invoices
• claiming from the NDIS to pay suppliers
• ensuring suppliers meet minimum requirements
• working with NDIA staff, Support Coordinators and support providers to resolve issues and answer supplier queries regarding payment under the NDIS
• preparing monthly reports on how funds are being used
• ensure providers are paid promptly

Do I have to have both Plan Management and Support Coordination from the same organisation?

No you can choose to have both from the one organisation or separate organisations. 

What choice do I have to manage the funding in my NDIS Plan?

There are three choices for managing NDIS funding and claims:

1. Self-Management – where the participant or their nominee manages the funding
2. NDIS Managed – if you use only NDIS registered providers they can individually claim directly from the NDIS
3. Plan Managed – a registered Plan Management provider manages the financial and administrative aspects of the Plan. This is particularly advised if you think you will or may want to use services from non-registered providers such as some sport and recreation clubs, home help services, and some therapists or specialist services.

How long will it take to pay invoices?

You will get a personalised, prompt and efficient service with Extended Families. With many bigger organisations now taking month to pay, we pride ourselves on a quick turnaround. Invoices will be paid within 14 days of receipt, unless there are issues with the set-up of the Plan in the NDIA portal (or other NDIA portal issues beyond our control).

What is the cost of Plan Management?

The service can be a part of your NDIS Plan if you request it. It is paid for by the NDIA at a set level, and does not impact or reduce funding for any other area in your Plan, it is an additional funded item and is not deducted from your direct supports. There are no out of pocket expenses for participants.

Can you help me if I want to self-manage?

If you want to self-manage in the future, we can help you prepare for that.  We can help you develop the skills in management of financial and service activities. You can stop using us any time and become fully self-managed when you are ready. We are here to help.

How to I access the service?

Once you have Plan Management in your NDIS Plan, participants or Support Coordinators can complete the Plan Management Request for Service Form. Once received, along with a copy of you NDIS Plan, we will develop a service agreement with the participant or their representative and provide you with specific information about processes to enable us to work together effectively.

Why choose Extended Families for Plan Management?

• You can have confidence in an organisation that has been around for nearly 40 years and is experienced in working in the NDIS.
• We are a mission driven not for profit organisation with a reputation of genuine empathy and care and strong ethical and practice standards.
• We understand disability services and provide quality services – Extended Families is are a registered disability organisation with externally audited quality standards and a NDIS registered provider.
• We have invested in systems to ensure efficiency, accuracy and accountability.
• You will not just be a number lost in a system, you will have the response and attention you deserve.

So let us take care of managing supplier payments, communication and administration so you have more time for yourself. 

Click here to contact Extended Families Plan Management service.