Targeted Outreach Project – where are we now?

Since early 2020, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) has been working with the Assessment and Referral Team (ART) on the Targeted Outreach Project.  We have been supporting more Queenslanders with disability to get on the NDIS.

Since its launch, more than 2,100 potential NDIS participants have been referred to the ART team for eligibility assessment. So far this has resulting in almost 950 successful NDIS applications.

This success would not have been possible without the involvement and support of people in the communities across the phase 1 regions of Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett, Gympie, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay.  As the Commonwealth funding is time limited, from 23 April 2021 we will no longer be accepting referrals from these regions.  We will be moving into new regions to help others get on the NDIS.

To support phase 1 communities to continue to provide positive outcomes for local people with disability QDN’s Targeted Outreach Project team will be hosting final sessions with Local Level Engagement Group (LLEG) members, including Local Champions who have informed and supported this initiative’s work.  Information about these sessions will be sent to LLEG members and Local Champions shortly.  Additionally, the Disability Connect and Outreach Program teams would like to share their learnings and will be hosting community capacity building sessions in May 2021 to help your community teams continue to provide positive outcomes for clients living with disability.

The Targeted Outreach team are currently kicking goals in phase 2 regions of Townsville, Bundaberg, South and Central Queensland  and we again thank this vibrant community for their support.

Phase 3 of this work continues and stretches across the regions of Cairns, Mackay and Mount Isa and the broader North Queensland region.   We will continue to rollout to other locations across Queensland during 2021 and 2022.

The project has been changing the lives of Queenslanders living with disability, many who have previously struggled to access the NDIS. Providing targeted assistance throughout the entire application process, including collecting documentation, working with specialists, and arranging clinical assessments where required, ART is unique to other social service delivery models.

Quote from a new NDIS participant called Beth “Getting on the NDIS can be hard. While I can relate to this feeling, what I have learnt is that there are no obstacles that cannot be overcome with the help of your community. Utilise the supports that are around you. Talk to your family and friends, reach out to the Targeted Outreach team. Knowing that you are not alone in how you are feeling is vitally important and I believe that with the right help, many more individuals, with a disability can access and benefit from the NDIS”.

QDN and our project partners QCOSS and ADA Australia are continuing to help more eligible Queenslanders with disability join the NDIS and experience the benefits of the scheme through the Targeted Outreach Project.

This project is helping people with disability to:

• understand how the NDIS can provide access to the supports they need
• access free and practical individual support to apply for and access the NDIS through dedicated regional Assessment and Referral (ART) teams

If you work with a hard to reach or vulnerable client who may benefit from the support of ART, contact QDN on 1300 363 783 or targetedoutreach@qdn.org.au