ABI Case Management Sector Coordination Project
Background
In 2005, Disability Services Division and VCASP agreed to undertake a review of ABI case management services….The overall objectives of this project were to evaluate capacity in the specialist ABI service system….and ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of DHS funded case management services for people with an ABI.”[1]
Key recommendation from this review was “Establishing within ABI case management services, enhancement of intake management strategies, specifically short-term case management, priority of access criteria and consideration of integrated intake functions”[2].
In 2007, Chris Fyffe completed the Implementation project to identify how the review would be implemented and concentrated on an interagency model involving specialist ABI case management, Disability Client Services and general Disability Case Management.
A key recommendation from the Implementation Project was “Development of the first inter-agency agreement: access to specialist ABI case management.”[3] Three objectives arising from this:
1. To develop an agreement about how people in the specialist ABI Case Management target group access the specialist ABI Case Management system;
2. To develop an agreement with DHS Disability Client Services about how people in the specialist ABI Case Management target group can be referred from coordinated intake to Disability Client Services
3. To develop an agreement with General Disability Case Management Services about how people in the specialist ABI Case Management target group can be referred from coordinated intake to General Disability Case Management
Current Model
The current model has multiple entry points to ABI Case Management services applying individual agency intake process and with limited coordination between agencies at intake.
Experiences of People with an ABI & their families:
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A system that is fragmented and difficult to navigate
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Reliant more on luck to locating services
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Multiple approaches required, with repeated disclosure of personal information sometimes leading to inadequate services
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Frustration with slow & unresponsive system
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Inadequate information, or misinformation, about services
Proposed Model
One key to improved access, assessment and referral is improved integration between services, where individual agencies work as a linked system of different but complementary components, rather than a series of unconnected entities[4].
DHS and the 6 lead providers have endorsed a “Coordinated Approach” to specialist ABI Case Management agencies within the metropolitan Melbourne.
Benefits of a ‘Coordinated Approach’ are:
ü “Any door” models provide “a complementary approach to access, assessment & referral”[5]
ü Provides an alternative point of contact for referrers and those unsure of where to start to receive support to access ABI Case Management services
ü Provides an integrated and linked service system reducing referrers being “given the run around”[6] and individuals falling through service gaps
ü Provides centralised link between metropolitan Melbourne and rural regions
ü Autonomy maintained by lead agencies in determining priority for ABI Case Management
ü Maintains relationships between lead agencies and referrers in determining appropriateness of referral
ü Provides point of contact for referrers to obtain information around available options for fee for service case management
ü Centralised data management.
The key tasks of ABI Case Management Sector Coordinator will include:
1. Information Provision regarding ABI Case Management
2. Screening & Assessment
3. Communication Hub
4. Promotion
5. Data Management
Contact
Therese Christofas
Project Worker
9487-9299
[1] Stringer, Kerry. ABI Case Management Review Discussion Paper February 2007; p1
[2] Stringer, Kerry. ABI Case Management Review Discussion Paper February 2007; p28
[3] Fyffe, Chris. Implementation of the ABI Case Management Review Recommendations August 2008; p2
[4] Department of Human Services, Victoria. Statewide Assessment and Referral in Homelessness Services Project Final Report, September 2001; p13
[5] Department of Human Services, Victoria. Statewide Assessment and Referral in Homelessness Services Project, Final Report, September 2001; p14
[6] Department of Human Services, Victoria. Statewide Assessment and Referral in Homelessness Services Project Final Report, September 2001; p10
