Hello Sunshine Support Coordination

23/04/2026

You may have seen Minister Butler had an announcement about an NDIS 'reset' last night.

This can sound scary and make you feel threatened about your own future within the NDIS. Media, especially rumours already circulating around Facebook and social media, are causing a lot of noise! We are here to help you break it down and how it might impact you and look at the facts.

What the changes will mean for you = probably not a lot right now.
More info here:

15/01/2026

Changes to STA (now known as Short Term Respite (STR) article below with some great links.
Plus this handy video!

https://teamdsc.com.au/resources/new-guidelines-for-the-artist-formerly-known-as-short-term-accommodation

12/01/2026

A great podcast episode about the upcoming NDIS changes to reassessments - the Support Needs Assessment (SNA) tool. Rolling out from mid-2026 onwards.

https://youtu.be/TAuNXEzzhLM?si=kagPfbgpjiRXNB3x

Can't commit to an hour?
Notes:
- rolling out mid-2026 onwards - a 4.5 - 5 hour process.
- 16-17 year olds will be first in the rollout, and only those that are not considered complex.
- SNA partly uses the I-CAN tool, which has been used by the Aged Care system and was developed by World Health Organisation (WHO)
- I-CAN covers 12 domains of function such as grooming, social, self-determination.
- Will be a conversational-style interview with the assessor.
- funding will be flexible across core and capacity-building funding categories - some funding will be 'stated' like high-cost assistive technology and complex home modifications.
- therapy funding will likely be just therapy funding.
- SNA will also use Personal and Environmental considerations and targeted assessments for complex or for assessments such as the high-cost assistive technology or home modifications.
- Assessors will start as qualified allied health professionals - a core number of staff. Training to use the I-CAN tool will likely occur with staff already within the NDIA such as current planners.
- 3 - 4 hours to undertake assessment with breaks allowed. It is very likely the sector will provide feedback on this as being far too long.
- the SNA will be able to be reviewed if NDIS participant is unhappy with the assessment or there were errors. An entire SNA would have to be undertaken.
- the view is this assessment tool will replace the need for allied health reporting like participants currently have eg. OT functional capacity assessment (FCA) reports
- there will be complete transparency how the assessment will inform the overall budget.

Only too happy to chat if you have any concerns about the Support Needs Assessment rollout. There is still a lot unknown but can help break down as much as I know too - Kay 0459 766 630

The NDIS is undergoing its biggest planning reform since the scheme began, with Support Needs Assessments set to transform how NDIS plan budgets are created ...

17/07/2025

📅 SAVE THE DATE! 📅
Loud and Clear Qld All-Abilities Conference and Concert
October 9-10, 2025
Meridan Community Church Centre, Meridan Plains

Loud and Clear's 10th Anniversary Celebration!

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Inspiring Inclusive Communities
🎉 2015-2025

All-Abilities Conference and Concert - Designed by people with intellectual disabilities, for people of all abilities! ✨

This year's theme: "Rights, Voices and Choices"

🗣️ Conference Days: Deep conversations and workshops about rights, self-advocacy, and inclusive community building with inspiring speakers and change-makers.
💬 Featured speakers to be announced.
🎵 Concert Experience: All-abilities performers celebrating music, creativity, and community.
📍 Location & program details coming soon.
🎤 Headlining acts to be announced shortly.

Join us for this milestone celebration bringing communities together through advocacy, learning, and music!

More exciting details coming soon! ✨

17/06/2025

Interesting podcast by Sunshine Coast local Clint Bauer, of Beyond the Spectrum. His guest gives their experience using stem cells with their son with autism. Fabulous take on the pressure of children's progress.

Episode 5: with international guest ClaireA Mum's Bold Choice: Autism, Stem Cells & Hope​In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum – Conversations with Parents ...

30/05/2025

https://youtu.be/lUqIPo4DDHE?feature=shared

Life lessons from the decade I've just finished.Lesson 1: Your 20s won't be the time of your lifeEnjoy :)Insta: https://www.instagram.com/struthless69/Shop: ...

22/05/2025

If you or someone you care for has a psychosocial disability or you work in the NDIS space and are over 18, have your say in the University of Sydney research survey, link below:

The proposed mental health and NDIS changes referred to in the survey are here - https://www.ndisreview.gov.au/resources/fact-sheet/psychosocial-supports

Survey here:
https://lnkd.in/gBpk5V63

Fact sheet 7 of 10: For people with psychosocial disability and their families.

04/03/2025

***SEQLD & NENSW TC ALFRED CYCLONE WARNING*** Share & Tag family & friends! You have today to finalise preparations. LIVE HSC facebook videos will commence from today.
TC Alfred category 2 with winds to 130km/h is 425kms East of Brisbane moving WEST at 11km/h. The systems convection (rain) is increasing on the western and southern sides today which will continue. He is currently forecast to impact the coast as a high end category 2 with destructive winds to 155km/h. Some data suggests he could intensify further to a category 3 (very destructive winds over 165km/h) just prior to landfall.
A coastal crossing remains LIKELY between Brisbane & the Gold Coast late Thursday early Friday which coincides with a high tide at this stage - NOTE the exact crossing track & time may change slightly depending on changes in forecast data and live track data. DON'T focus on the centre of the system anyway LOOK at the red lines on the map - this is the current cyclone warning area!
So to be clear that is from Double Island Point to Grafton and ALL areas in between. Severe weather with heavy rain & damaging winds is also expected well inland to the ranges in SEQLD & NENSW.
Scattered gusty showers and rain bands starting today and increasing tomorrow across SEQLD & NENSW. Very heavy to extreme rainfall from late Thursday through Friday AND into Saturday. Widespread falls of 250-500mm east of the ranges from Sunshine Coast to Kempsey. Peak isolated falls over 750mm possible between Brisbane & Coffs Harbour. This rainfall is likely to cause significant flooding in some areas (more on that later).
Dangerous storm surge near the cyclones centre and near southern onshore wide side is expected along the coast causing inundation (flooding) of low lying areas.
Abnormally high tides also likely to cause minor coastal flooding of low lying areas between Sandy Cape and Grafton, especially on high tides.
This system has the potential to cause widespread power outages, many road closures with a significant disruption to travel and events. Schools & childcare may close.
MORE info will be announced in the live video later today.
Our subscribers have updated cyclone, rain and flood maps issued this morning - support our hard work and get our best info by becoming a premium member on our website here> https://higginsstormchasing.com/subscribe/

Stay safe, be prepared, check on the elderly!

04/03/2025

***This update is no longer current.

⚠️ Hazardous surf, strong winds, and initial flood watch warning for Gympie Region - 5.00pm Sunday, 2 March 2025

We are continuing to monitor Tropical Cyclone Alfred and we remind residents to be prepared and keep informed. As a result of the cyclone, gale force winds and dangerous surf conditions are expected tonight and tomorrow along the coast.

🌊 Damaging surf conditions will likely continue over coming days. A Hazardous Surf Warning remains current for all Southeast Queensland coastal districts including Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach, and the broader Cooloola Coast. We urge residents who live in these parts of our region to be prepared and take necessary precautions. For more useful resources and tips - https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/summersafety

⛔️ We also encourage road users to be aware of road closures around the region, especially in the coastal areas. Watch for water on the roads, and if it’s flooded, forget it!

Keep clear of fallen trees and powerlines.
📱 Report fallen trees to Council via Snap Send Solve (free from the App Store or Google Play) or via 1300 307 800
📌 If you see fallen power lines, stay clear and call Energex immediately on 13 19 62.

⚠️ The Bureau of Meteorology has also issued an initial flood watch for Queensland coastal rivers from Maryborough to the NSW Border, which includes the Mary River catchment.

Residents should monitor the warnings and keep up to date with the latest information from authorities.

Keep up to date via Council's Disaster Dashboard - https://disaster.gympie.qld.gov.au/

📷 - Latest TC Alfred tracking map. More info - http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml