What is Early Childhood Intervention? Expand Firstchance has been providing Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) for over 40 years in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens region. ECI is the term used for specialised services and supports provided to infants and young children with a disability or developmental delay and their families. Early childhood is a time of remarkable brain development. Research tells us that future development is based on a child's learning during these early years. These early years are a foundation for how children will learn and develop later in life. Providing quality early childhood intervention early in a child's life supports children to develop the skills they need to take part in everyday activities and to be included in family and community life. These ECI supports received early in life can potentially reduce the amount of supports needed in later life. Firstchance provides a family centred approach to Early Childhood Education. We recognise that families know their child best therefore our team share their knowledge and skills with families so that they can continue to support their child when we are not around. Thus giving the child a great opportunity to practise and learn new skills. You can Early Childhood Intervention Australia about the importance of Early Childhood Intervention from our governing body Early Childhood Intervention Australia.
What does Transdisciplinary Interventions mean? A collaborative team to support your child. Expand Transdisciplinary Early Childhood Intervention Supports- Is a collaborative team approach where Firstchance Specialist Educators, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Family Worker, Psychologists and Therapy Assistants share the responsibility in providing supports to your child and family. These services are provided through a Key Worker with additional supports as required. These services are provided in the home, community or educational setting. Supports are to assist your child to gain skills and improve their independence in functional areas of their day to day life such as: language and communication, sensory, mobility and movement, toileting, holding a pencil or knife and fork, getting dressed, emotional regulation, playing with friends, sleeping etc. Therapeutic supports are available from our highly skilled staff who all have experience in working with children with a disability or developmental concern. See Our Approach for more information. Therapy and assessment sessions can take place in your home, in your community, at your child’s educational setting, at our service and/or a combination of all of these
NDIS: Access Request Form Expand If you think you meet the NDIS requirements you can make an Access Request two ways. You can make a Verbal Access Request (VAR) or Fill out a paper Access Request Form (ARF). You will need to provide age and residency evidence. The easiest way to do it is to give the NDIA consent to use your Centrelink record, if you are a Centrelink customer. You may also need to provide evidence about your disability and how it impacts your everyday life. The easiest way to do it is to ask your treating health professional to complete the ARF – Part F or an NDIA Supporting Evidence form. It helps if you can also supply copies of any existing reports or assessments. No matter how you make an Access Request you will need to provide the NDIA with the same information and evidence to support your application. How to do I get an Access Request form You can get an Access Request form from your Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood Early Intervention partner (if your child is under 7), your local NDIA office or you can call 1800 800 110.
If you think you meet the NDIS requirements you can make an Access Request two ways. You can make a Verbal Access Request (VAR) or Fill out a paper Access Request Form (ARF). You will need to provide age and residency evidence. The easiest way to do it is to give the NDIA consent to use your Centrelink record, if you are a Centrelink customer. You may also need to provide evidence about your disability and how it impacts your everyday life. The easiest way to do it is to ask your treating health professional to complete the ARF – Part F or an NDIA Supporting Evidence form. It helps if you can also supply copies of any existing reports or assessments. No matter how you make an Access Request you will need to provide the NDIA with the same information and evidence to support your application. How to do I get an Access Request form You can get an Access Request form from your Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood Early Intervention partner (if your child is under 7), your local NDIA office or you can call 1800 800 110.
How do I know if I am eligible for the NDIS? Expand To be eligible for the NDIS and receive a funding package for your child, your child must meet the following: Have a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities Be under 65 years of age when first accessing the scheme Be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen who holds a Protected Special Category Visa. Access does not depend on having a formal diagnosis. Use the NDIS Access Checklist tool to find out if you are eligible to receive assistance from the NDIS. Children aged under 7 years old who do not meet eligibility criteria for an NDIS Plan may still be eligible to receive some supports from the NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) partners. In our area the ECEI partner is Northcott. They are located at 13 Valencia Street, Mayfield. Phone is 1800 818 286.
To be eligible for the NDIS and receive a funding package for your child, your child must meet the following: Have a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities Be under 65 years of age when first accessing the scheme Be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen who holds a Protected Special Category Visa. Access does not depend on having a formal diagnosis. Use the NDIS Access Checklist tool to find out if you are eligible to receive assistance from the NDIS. Children aged under 7 years old who do not meet eligibility criteria for an NDIS Plan may still be eligible to receive some supports from the NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) partners. In our area the ECEI partner is Northcott. They are located at 13 Valencia Street, Mayfield. Phone is 1800 818 286.
What is the difference between NDIS and NDIA? Expand The National Disability Insurance Scheme is known as NDIS. It is basically the legislation that was passed by the government to set up the Scheme to support people with a disability. The National Disability Agency is known as NDIA. It is the government organisation which makes the NDIS happen. NDIA employs a range of staff to support people with a disability and their families to plan for their life and provides the funding to support this to happen.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is known as NDIS. It is basically the legislation that was passed by the government to set up the Scheme to support people with a disability. The National Disability Agency is known as NDIA. It is the government organisation which makes the NDIS happen. NDIA employs a range of staff to support people with a disability and their families to plan for their life and provides the funding to support this to happen.
Public Officer & Board member - Reid Expand Qualifications Bachelor of Business Administration Juris Doctor Diploma of Legal Practice Why I joined the Firstchance Board I am always looking for opportunities to give back and make a difference to my local community. After moving to Newcastle, I was put in touch with Firstchance by a colleague who suggested that serving on the board of a not-for-profit organisation would be a good way to contribute. Firstchance is as a well-run organisation, with a great staff of special people, that is making a difference in the lives of children with special needs. I am happy to be a part of Firstchance. The skills I bring to the board I have almost 20 years’ experience in legal, corporate, and management roles, both in the USA and in Australia. I started my career in law before transitioning to corporate executive roles before then returning to legal practice. I am currently working at a prestigious corporate and commercial law firm based in Newcastle. I have experience serving on a corporate board and on boards of other organisations. Outside the office, I enjoy hiking, basketball, African drumming, travelling, bonsai, and pub trivia.