Connections Inc acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which our head office is based, the Kabi Kabi people. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend our respect to all Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.
\n\n\n","stylesMapId":"CK_EDITOR_PARAGRAPH_STYLES","linkList":[]},"customBgImgjw3":{"type":"BackgroundMedia","id":"customBgImgjw3","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"color":"#FFFFFF","alignType":"top","fittingType":"legacy_tile","scrollType":"scroll","colorOverlay":"","colorOverlayOpacity":0.0},"dataItem-ih2xi05l":{"type":"SvgShape","id":"dataItem-ih2xi05l","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false}},"dataItem-ih2xi05l1":{"type":"SvgShape","id":"dataItem-ih2xi05l1","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false}},"dataItem-ih2xidd5":{"type":"LinkableButton","id":"dataItem-ih2xidd5","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"label":"Your Life, Your Choice","link":"#dataItem-ih2xidd51"},"dataItem-ih2xidd51":{"type":"ExternalLink","id":"dataItem-ih2xidd51","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"url":"https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/key-projects/your-life-your-choice/your-life-your-choice-host-providers?id=41","target":"_blank"},"dataItem-it3t6pqn":{"type":"LinkableButton","id":"dataItem-it3t6pqn","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"label":"Complaints & Concerns","link":"#dataItem-it3t8yd4"},"dataItem-it3t8yd4":{"type":"DocumentLink","id":"dataItem-it3t8yd4","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"docId":"1ec008_fe1017c20e8e47a8a73c3305bbe8af89.pdf","name":"ConnectionsComplaintsBrochure.pdf"},"dataItem-it3tsavc":{"type":"LinkableButton","id":"dataItem-it3tsavc","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"label":"Complaint Form","link":"#dataItem-jd3x9xvr"},"dataItem-it3tttc5":{"type":"LinkableButton","id":"dataItem-it3tttc5","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"label":"Feedback Form","link":"#dataItem-iuniop7z"},"dataItem-iuniop7z":{"type":"DocumentLink","id":"dataItem-iuniop7z","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"docId":"1ec008_6ac370cd66454426adcb683b09a906b0.pdf","name":"A42 Feedback Form.pdf"},"dataItem-j1zpnans":{"type":"FacebookLikeBox","id":"dataItem-j1zpnans","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"facebookPageId":"165184976909559","colorScheme":"light","showFaces":true,"showStream":true,"showBorder":true,"showHeader":true},"dataItem-j1zrbeip":{"type":"ImageList","id":"dataItem-j1zrbeip","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"items":["#dataItem-jalr2ia01","#dataItem-ja7fft3c","#dataItem-j8xmxqoh","#dataItem-j7ibgde2","#dataItem-jauo0x3k","#dataItem-jalr2ia3","#dataItem-jalr2ia1","#dataItem-j8xmxqoi","#dataItem-j8xn3lgt","#dataItem-j4yw5qn82","#dataItem-j4yw5qn7","#dataItem-jcle04m2","#dataItem-jaunzvig","#dataItem-j8pe3iqg","#dataItem-ja7ferf2","#dataItem-jalr2ia0","#dataItem-jcle04m0","#dataItem-jbe7pd00","#dataItem-j4yw5qn83"]},"dataItem-j2h0tz0b":{"type":"StyledText","id":"dataItem-j2h0tz0b","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"text":"
CONNECTIONS INC. launches the NDIS Emerging Leaders Project
\n\n\n\n
The NDIS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Emerging Leaders project is funded by the Australian Government Dept. of Social Services and supported by the Queensland Government.
\n\n\n\n
It was identified through the work Connections have been doing in rural and remote areas of Queensland, over the past few years (NDIS/FYI Project - Participant Readiness) that Communities wanted to be prepared for the NDIS, and to develop their own appropriate services and capacity in supporting people with a disability on country. This project is overseen by a Steering Committee with diverse representation, including our partner - Caboolture Community Medical (previously Murri Medical).
\n\n\n\n
The NDIS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Emerging Leaders Project will be delivered until June 2018. This Project will work with the communities of;
\n\nCherbourg Aboriginal Shire
\n\tWoorabinda Aboriginal Shire
\n\tTorres Strait Island (based on Thursday Island)
\n\tCairns (covering - Mossman)
\n\tYarrabah
\n\tMoreton Bay Region (North - based in Caboolture)
\n\tWujal Wujal (covering Cooktown)
\n\t\n\n
The primary objectives of this project are to;
\n\nidentify and support existing, new and potential organisations and businesses to enhance their knowledge, skills and capacity to deliver culturally appropriate supports and services under the NDIS
\n\texplore opportunities for new business development within communities, that is community owned and delivered
\n\tdevelop business management skills and knowledge of local champions
\n\tdevelop strategies and solutions that identify, leverage and extend existing business opportunities or establish new business opportunities to meet NDIS demand
\n\t
\n\nThe Emerging Leaders Project has hired 7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mentors on country to;
\n\n\n\n
consult and engage with a full range of sectors within their participating communities, including Elders, community leaders, businesses, government, local councils and people with disability, their families and carers
\n\tsupport their communities to develop place-based, culturally appropriate supports to people with disability that reflect the needs of people, their families and carers, and the community
\n\tidentify, support and develop market opportunities within their communities to improve economic outcomes
\n\tidentify, link and where possible, expanding existing community-based initiatives
\n\tpromote NDIS access and inclusion in the broader community, and;
\n\tengage with providers already delivering NDIS readiness initiatives where the focus and outcomes of initiatives are aligned
\n\t
\n\nThe Project will also;
\n\n
\n\nwork to develop Service Capacity Building Resources that can be used like a 'tool kit' in NDIS business readiness by any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island community. These resources will include, NDIS Information, Provider Readiness Information, Sample Policies, Service Agreement template, business structure and process information, videos and fact sheets. All of the resources will be developed collaboratively with the 7 mentors to ensure cultural appropriateness.
\n\tAssist to increase local community based workforce opportunities by offering the Cert III in Individual Support to interested people within the communities.
\n\t\n\n
Chris McGregor, a Mununjalli/Yugerapul Aboriginal man is the Mentor Coordinator of this project, providing guidance, training and support to the mentors on country. Chis holds a Masters of Management, Bachelor of Business and has completed a Cert II in Indigenous Leadership. Chris was a mentor himself with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) last year. Chris is also currently a member of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Party with the University of the Sunshine Coast.
\n\ncontact Chris: chris@connectionsinc.org.au or P: 07 5495 3472
\n\nLaurie Perkins, is the Project Manager and NDIS Trainer. Laurie has extensive experience in training and education including delivering NDIS Leadership Projects across Queensland. Laurie will be facilitating NDIS Capacity building and business development training with the 7 mentors.
\n\ncontact Laurie: laurie@connectionsinc.org.au or P: 07 5495 3472
\n\n
\n\nNB Although Connections provides Mental Health Support Services for individuals in Caboolture, these services will not be delivered as part of this project in any of the named communities, and will not be acting as a service provider in this space.
\n\n
\n\nConnections would also like to acknowledge our Provider Readiness colleagues, and look forward to working collaboratively over the next year. If you would like further information on any of the projects please contact;
\n\n
\n\nSmall and medium providers in rural and remote locations;
\n\nProject Lead is Lisa Fraser from National Disability Services in Queensland
\n\n\t\n\t
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander providers and Communities;
\n\nProject Lead is Karen Thomas-Goldsmith from Connections Incorporated
\n\t\n\n
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse providers and communities;
\n\nProject Leads are Mitra Khakbaz from MDA and Pino Migliorino from DiverseWerks.
\n\t\n\n
","stylesMapId":"CK_EDITOR_PARAGRAPH_STYLES","linkList":[]},"dataItem-j3urn3ba":{"type":"StyledText","id":"dataItem-j3urn3ba","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"text":"