FOCUS Specialist Therapeutic Supports

19/03/2025

Focus is FINALLY back travelling ❤️

It feels good to spread my wings again 🪽

After a long hiatus of not travelling far aka out of Whyalla due to ill health, i am finally travelling to bring Developmental Education to the regional areas again.

Todays journey reinfoced why im a Developmental Educator and who Im there to support. I love how my days are different and allows me to meet and interact with amazing people.

As people may have noticed ive been hard to get hold of due to reduced capacity levels, plus adding in a long journey with chronic health issues over the last 12 months, but I seem to be getting on top of them. I quickly learnt if my mask isnt on, i cant support others. So i had to go quiet last year to allow myself to "recover".

Thanks to those who were patient and waited for me to return to fulltime services.

Exciting news Focus may soon be travelling to Quorn/Hawker and as far as Ceduna - the vision is to bring my expertise further afar to support more people.

As it looks like im extending my DE services, i guess its obvious to say, i have some CAPACITY!

If you would like Developmental Education services feel free to contact me on 0413356810 or melissa@focussupports.com.au

17/03/2025

Look at my new name badge. ❤️

I ordered it from One Kind Studio ❤️

Now people will know who i am when i visit various places including school, peoples houses etc etc.

26/02/2025

Love this, well said!

Im going to add to this and say this extends to Autistic adults too!

15/02/2025

Do not underestimate people ❤️

24/01/2025

Well said Neens ♥️

Support Coordinators work hard - once everything leaves our hands, we have little to no power. Yes we can advocate, but we dont make the decisions.

23/01/2025

Update.

I am sorry, i am still in hospital. I still do not have access to my work emails or phone.

Unsure when ill be discharged, looks like ive got some semi serious stuff going. Been firmly told i need to relax and let my body heal.

As a clinician/SSC i know i have outstanding tasks, which i apologise but ive had to put those things on the back burner......Once im out of hospital, my focus will be triaged and the higher priority tasks will be completed..

Once again, im sorry for this inconvenience ♥️

23/01/2025

This is awesome.

Karly has a lot of experienced and very knowledgeable. So good to have another Allied Health Prac in Whyalla.

If you are looking for an OT referral in Whyalla, and the services match what can offer as stated on her profile below, give Thrive a call.

20/01/2025

I wish to advise the people i support, guardians and providers that i was admitted to hospital early this morning. I will be unable to put up an email response, hence this post.

Unsure as to when ill be back on deck, but hopefully its sooner rather than later.

Sorry for any inconvenience this admission has caused.

Melissa ❤️

15/01/2025

I am writing an Autistic burnout course with Tanya Adkin and Kelly Mahler! As part of that course, we want to include and draw upon the experiences of Autistic people and their loved ones. If you have experience with Autistic burnout, please could you do this anonymous survey that will gather some quotes and statistics for us to use in the course?

https://buff.ly/40ejc15

ND Social Care & Family Services Kelly Mahler

12/12/2024

Yesterday, whilst engaging in a meeting at our Whyalla Hospital, I got to have a "play" around with a ToverTafel, which means "magic table" in Dutch.

I loved how interactive it is, the variety of options of different interactive game options.........

Love innovative AT for the elderly and disability communities ❤️.

Embracing the power of the Tovertafel in dementia care is one of my passions! 🥰🤩This remarkable innovation has been around since 2015 across Europe, and we...

04/12/2024

Sensory Safe Santa opportunities in Whyalla - go use this amazing service

Inclusive Father Christmas Sessions at the Whyalla Public Library🎄🎅
📅 Session 1: TOMORROW 5th Dec, 2–5pm
📅 Session 2: 12th Dec, 2–4pm

After last year's success, we’re again offering two special sessions designed for individuals with additional needs, providing a quiet, calm environment to meet Father Christmas. These sessions eliminate overwhelming crowds, loud noises, and long waits by offering scheduled individual time slots.

We kindly ask that attendees bring their own phone or camera for taking photos to keep things personal and simple.

If you or someone you know would benefit from this inclusive experience, contact Chloe on 0427 165 232 to book your spot or ask any questions. 🎄🎁

22/11/2024

As the AMAZING Nina has stated......

The NDIA have released new information pertaining to STA (short term accommodation) or as others may know it is respite....

Read her post ✔️

Some new information released from NDIS re STA today. . . .

Is Short-Term Accommodation (STA) an NDIS Support?
Yes, short-term accommodation (STA) is included in the “supports that are NDIS supports” list.

How Does STA Work?
STA is designed to help informal supports continue their caring role. It provides participants and their informal supports time apart.
• STA allows participants to stay away from their homes and informal supports for a short time.
• It can be funded for up to 14 days at a time, to a maximum of 28 days per calendar year.

Funding Details:
• STA funding can be used for assistance with self-care, community access, and short-term accommodation.
• It cannot be used for daily living costs (e.g., food, groceries, travel).
• Providers offering STA in a group setting may include meals and activities, but these cannot be included for individual settings.

Questions About STA Usage
A new operational guideline about STA will be released in December 2024 with more details.

How Is STA Funded?
STA funding is included in a participant’s core budget if it’s related to their disability support needs and deemed reasonable and necessary.
• STA does not need to be stated in a participant’s plan.
• Participants can access STA under the “assistance with daily life tasks in a group/shared living arrangement” category.
• The NDIS funds standard rates for STA, generally at group prices unless individual support is justified.

What NDIS Funding Cannot Be Used For:
• Cruises, holiday packages, airfares, passports, or vehicle insurance
• Accommodation or travel expenses for family members or support workers
• Theme parks, music/theatre/cinema/sports events, and conferences
• Day-to-day living costs (e.g., food/meals).

In some cases, meals may be included as part of STA in a group setting, but costs must align with NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

STA for Participants in Supported Independent Living (SIL):
STA is unavailable for participants living alone or in SIL, as they already have time apart from informal supports.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation/frequently-asked-questions-about-legislation?

Nina 👋🏽