BUSHkids Annual Report 2011-2012

GM

or Fragile X syndrome. Registered Better Start EISP organisations must provide early intervention services to children through a multidisciplinary team comprised of qualified and experienced early intervention specialists or allied health professionals from one or more of; speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, audiology, physiotherapy or orthotics. We will continue to actively consider other funding opportunities as and when they arise. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to share any opportunities that occur in the regions. In addition to the annual fundraising events we run, in 2013 BUSHkids has also been chosen as the beneficiary for the 20th Annual ‘Loaves & Fishes’ Luncheon organised by the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane at St John’s Cathedral, on 30 April 2013. For further details please contact us. Developing strong regional partnerships We are also working to create a regional reference network through local councils and medical practitioners, and health and education heads at the local and regional level. Through this network we are working to establish a continuous voice for BUSHkids through friends of the organisation in areas where we have local representation. Administrative priorities On the administrative level our top priority for the next 12 months is to continue to create systems that support our teams, especially in the form of a clinical toolkit and a new database for our client record management systems. These are necessary to enhance productivity, accountability and reporting, and enable us to meet our needs for standardisation. Deployment of robust ICT is becoming a matter of strategic importance. Building a broad capability is essential to improving efficiency, reducing the regulatory burden, streamlining interaction with clients and professional networks and increasing our capacity to work with community organisations. Throughout 2013, we will continue to encourage innovation and growth within our teams. We will also continue to take responsibility for what we can do for our clients – the children and families of regional Queensland – and in so doing continue to be effective, creative and accountable to ourselves, our donors and our funders. Carlton Meyn, General Manger

unteers can provide invaluable support to the paid staff by working at reception, maintaining gardens and grounds, providing clerical support or simply being ‘Jack of all trades’. During busy times when events are being organised or fundraising drives come due, committees of volunteers can prove to be great assets. Last but definitely not least, the Boards and Councils that assume the responsibility for the functioning of thousands of Australian charitable organisations are invariably made up of volunteers. BUSHkids realises the great potential value of establishing a team of volunteers to extend the capabilities of each centre and to assist our overall administration. As an example, Brisbane volunteer Rob Gluch has called upon his vast experience by working with an IT developer, creating a photo- graphic record of regional events and helping with presenting at our Annual Conference. Our Dalby and Warwick Centres have been grateful to receive the support of enthusiastic volunteers in running the events. It is planned to explore all the different ways in which volunteers can be used to support the staff and enhance the services that we are able to offer to the families and children of rural and regional Queensland. LOOKINGAHEAD Funding opportunities In 2013 we intend exploring additional funding opportunities through: The HCWA funding package provides family and/or carers of eligible children with access to up to $12,000 ( maximum of $6,000 can be used per financial year) that can be used to cover the cost of early intervention services. Eligible children include those 0-6 years with a diagnosed ASD. Organisations registered as an HCWA EISP must provide early intervention services to children through a multidisciplinary team of Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Pathologists. This provides family and/or carers of eligible children with access to up to $12,000 (maximum $6000 can be used per financial year) that can be used to cover the cost of early intervention services. Eligible children include those under six years of age who have been diagnosed with a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, including deaf blindness, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) Early Intervention Service Provider Panel Better Start for Children with Disability Early Intervention Service Provider Panel

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