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Thursday, 21 December 2023
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From all of us at Disability, Seniors and Carers, we wish you a relaxing and safe holiday period with your loved ones. We look forward to connecting with you again in 2024.
Please find below some useful information about Disability, Seniors and Carers services over the holiday period.
The Worker Screening Unit will be closed from 4:00pm on Friday, 22 December 2023 and will reopen at 9:00am on Tuesday, 2 January 2024.
Applicants can log into the worker screening portal at any time to check the progress of an application.
If workers need to apply for a disability worker screening clearance, please visit https://workerscreening.dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au/ to see resources about eligibility and how to apply.
For any critical issues regarding worker screening, you can send an email to workerscreening@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au, this mailbox will be monitored intermittently during the break.
The Enquiries and Assistance Team phone line will be closed from 4:00pm Friday, 22 December 2023 until 9:00am Tuesday 2 January 2024.
During this time you can leave a message by calling 1800 491 467 and your message will be responded to in the new year. You can also send an email or submit an online form at this website. Please always call 000 in an emergency for Police, Fire or Ambulance.
The Assessment and Referral Team will be closed from 4:00pm Friday 22 December 2023 and will reopen 9:00am Tuesday 2 January 2024. You can still make a referral using the online form, or alternatively call 1800 569 040 and leave a message.
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Free Kindy campaign
The countdown is on to free kindy for all Queensland children from 2024.
To promote this message, the Department of Education’s Free Kindy advertising campaign is now live across television, cinema, outdoor advertising, social media, radio and digital platforms. Families can find their local kindy by using the free kindy finder to search online and enrol directly at their local kindy.
The Queensland Government is also investing in a number of programs and resources to support families with children with a disability in kindy. The Disability and inclusion resources page includes information about early childhood inclusion programs, including the Early Childhood Development Program. This page also outlines funding available for kindergartens to support families, including the Inclusion Ready Subsidy, Kindergarten Inclusion Service and the Kindergarten Inclusion Support Scheme.
For resources and further information on kindy enrolment visit the Free Kindy website.
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Queensland heatwave season
As Queenslanders we’re accustomed to the beads of sweat dripping down our face at 7am, but what is often overlooked is the accumulative affect heat can have on our body and mind.
Research also shows us that emergency services and health departments observe significant increases in emergencies during and up to 10 days after heatwaves.
A stakeholder kit is available that features audience-specific messages and adaptable communication materials for social media, e-newsletters, print, screensavers, and factsheets.
Access the kit and assets the Queensland Health website.
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Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 released
On 4 December 2023, the Australian Government passed the Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 (the Act), to repeal and replace the Disability Services Act 1986 (the former Act).
The Act provides a way to continue funding existing supports and services, while giving authority for the Commonwealth to design new supports and services in the future to better support people with disability, their families and carers.
This Act will not change or affect the NDIS or disability support pension paid under social security law.
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Funding and grant opportunities
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Structural Adjustment Fund 2023–24 Round now open
The Structural Adjustment Fund (the Fund) grant opportunity is now open at GrantConnect - Structural Adjustment Fund. The Fund will run over 3 years from 2023–24 to 2025–26. The program was announced as part of the Australian Government’s 2023–24 Budget.
The Fund will support the employment of people with high support needs, with a view to assisting the sector to evolve in line with the Guiding principles for the future of supported employment through the provision of grants.
The Fund will seek to support projects that enable the introduction of innovative approaches to:
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create pathways to open employment
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allow supported employment workplaces to better meet community expectations
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create sustainable employment opportunities for people with disability.
The closing date for applications is 5:00 pm AEDT 18 January 2024 at GrantConnect - Structural Adjustment Fund.
Disability Employment Expos Grant Round
Funding to provide people with disability with high support needs, and their families and carers, with information on a range of employment pathways and available supports.
More information is available at GrantConnect - Disability Employment Expos.
Disability Advocacy and Information Program Grant Round
Funding to provide people with disability with high support needs, their families and carers, with access to advocacy support and information to build their confidence and understanding about their rights and options at work.
More information is available at GrantConnect - Disability Employment Advocacy and Information program.
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Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme
The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme - administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads - provides assistance of up to $45,000, with a 50 per cent co-contribution from applicants to offset the cost of purchasing and modifying a new wheelchair accessible taxi.
Applications for the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme are now open. Applications will be assessed in the date order that they have been received by QRIDA.
Full details of eligibility requirements can be found in the scheme guidelines on the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme webpage.
The scheme is open until Sunday 30 June 2024.
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Health Workforce Strategy for Queensland to 2032 Consultation Paper
Queensland Health has engaged and consulted with key stakeholders from community and industry groups, unions, Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) and its current health workforce, to draft the Health Workforce Strategy for Queensland to 2032 consultation paper which is now available for input and feedback.
The aim of the consultation is to build a supported workforce to deliver high-quality healthcare across Queensland. Achieving this aim will improve the way Queensland Health grows and retains its workforce and continues to deliver quality healthcare across Queensland.
For more information and to participate, please visit the Queensland Health website.
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Mental Health Community Support Services - Psychosocial Supports Consultation
Queensland Health is committed to strengthening and expanding existing psychosocial support programs, establishing new programs and support ongoing development and improvement of programs in response to consultations and evaluations.
Queensland Health is seeking input and contributions to inform future arrangements for funding and delivery of psychosocial supports.
This consultation seeks to gather ideas and feedback about mental health community supports (psychosocial supports) in Queensland.
To participate in the consultation, please read the consultation paper and complete the survey.
Please visit this website for further information about the Mental Health Community Support Services.
Consultations close Friday 9 February 2024.
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Up-to-date health information
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Anyone can call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for health advice and information, or you can visit the QLD Government health and wellbeing COVID-19 website.
If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, immediately call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
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