We’re here

AuriHealth's artwork has an "open" sign on it

Greater Sydney has placed in lockdown due to Coronavirus, but our team is still here to help.

We’re making sure the people we work with across the region are getting the services and supports they need throughout this difficult time. We’ve closed the office, but our AuriHealth team is answering your calls and emails.

Interested to know more about what we do? Let’s have a yarn. Send us an email hello@aurihealth.com.au or give us a call on 0478 771 708.

Stay up to date on the latest from NSW Health here.

Your Preferences

A picture of a laptop and the words "Prefer email? No worries"

Some people like talking in person, others prefer the phone or email. What do you like? 

When we first start working together, we ask questions that help us get to know you. That includes questions about your NDIS Plan, your goals, what you like doing and your preferences. 

If you get anxious meeting face-to-face, we can talk about alternatives. If you like emails so you can take your time and re-read, let us know.

Our team supports you to put your NDIS Plan into action. How can we help you?

Get your NDIS Plan working for you

So you’ve got an NDIS Plan, what next? 

Applying for the NDIS can be a long and stressful process. Sometimes, knowing what to do next can seem like one hurdle too many.

That’s where having a Support Coordinator can be a great help. They’re on your team. A Support Coordinator is there to guide you through the next steps of putting the Plan into action. They can help you find the services and supports you need and get them in place. 

It’s about understanding you, what you need and what is funded in your Plan, then working with you to get the most out of it. 

Not sure if you’re getting the most out of your NDIS Plan? Let’s have a yarn and see if our team can help you.  

Get your NDIS Plan working for you

Community and connection

Hands being held with one placed on top in show of comfort.
Did you know our Support Coordinators can help connect you to cultural programs and community groups?
 

The role of our Support Coordinators is about helping you build the skills you need to understand, implement and use your Plan. Part of this is about finding the mix of supports that helps you achieve your goals and get the support you need. 

Our Support Coordinators get to know you and understand your needs, goals and preferences. While the mix of supports will usually include things like allied health or support workers, it can also include building your connections to community. For example, in addition to therapies and services, there might be a class or cultural program that meets your goal for community participation.  

 

What this looks likes depends on you and your needs. It’s your NDIS Plan, but our team can help you put it into action.

 

Be your deadliest self and have a yarn with one of our team today! 

 

Here is a short video from the NDIS which explains more about Support Coordination.

How do I apply for the NDIS?

TexT: How do I apply for the NDIS?

“How do I apply for the NDIS?” It’s a question we get a lot. 

Many of our mob are still not accessing the NDIS or disability services. We know there are many and varied reasons for this, but we also want this to change.

To apply for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, or NDIS, you’ll need to complete an Access Request Form. You’ll also need to get evidence to support your request.  This could be reports and assessments you’ve had done. 

Once the NDIS has this form and the evidence, they’ll decide if you’re eligible. If you are, you’ll move into the planning process, to work out what supports and funding you’ll need. If not, there are a few ways it could go. 

We know that while the process can sound straightforward, it can be challenging for many. Not all of us have the evidence and reports required; not all of us have had the same doctors and other services for a long time; some of us just don’t know where to start. 

We’re proud to provide culturally appropriate Support Coordination and Plan Management, but we’re also pleased to be helping people get their first NDIS Plan. 

If you want to find out more about how we can help you, email us at help@aurihealth.com.au or call us on 0478 771 708. 

Or you can find out more about the NDIS Access process here.

Get the most out of your NDIS Plan

Text of We help you put your NDIS Plan into action on blue and white background

Our team loves helping people get the most out of their NDIS Plan.

 

No two of our clients are the same, so we take time getting to know them and their needs, plus breaking down what’s in their Plan and how that could work for them.

 

Our Support Coordinators help our clients connect with supports and services that best suit them and their goals.

 

Back in the office, our Plan Managers are standing by to chat with clients and help them take care of their Plan finances.

 

AuriHealth exists because our mob is still not accessing the disability supports and services they need – and we want that to change.

 

Have a yarn today and see how our team can help you or someone you know put an NDIS Plan into action!

 

#ndis #supportcoordination
#planmanagement
#aboriginalhealth

Choice and control

Blue words "choice and control" sit on a sand background. The AuriHealth logo sits at the bottom right corner.
You have choice and control over your NDIS services. It’s a key part of the NDIS.
 
Why is that important? It means you choose who works with you and what services you use.
 
For our mob, this can be particularly important. In fact, it’s why we exist.
 
We want our mob to receive services and supports that are culturally appropriate. We know that improves outcomes and we know that too many of us are still not accessing the NDIS and its supports.
 
Our team wants to change that. We take an individual approach, having a yarn and getting to know you, your needs and what’s important to you. We discuss service and support options, but it’s your choice and you’re in control.
 
It’s your NDIS Plan, but our team can help you put that Plan into action.

Finding the right supports

An image in blue tones showing a finger inserting last piece of a puzzle

It can be frustrating trying to find a person or a service that is the “right fit”. 

Most of us have a yarn or two  about a service or specialist that was just not a match for our needs. There are a lot of reasons why it might not have “clicked” from personality to approach to something more. What it does, though, is make it obvious when you find someone who does get you and your needs.

One of the reasons we exist is that our founder saw the need for Support Coordination and Plan Management services that were culturally appropriate to our mob. When people have access to services and supports that meet their needs, they’re more likely to achieve their goals and have better outcomes. 

Our approach is person-centred, which means we encourage you to share who you are, what you need and what you want to achieve. We match you the team member we think best matches your needs, then work with you to find services and supports that help make that happen. What this looks like for our clients varies depending on them, their situation and their needs. 

There are many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability who are still not accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or using their Plans fully. We want to help change that by offering services that are culturally appropriate and meet our communities’ needs. 

The NDIS was designed to give people more choice and control. Why not get in touch to see if working with our team is the right fit for you? 

Time to get support in place

Appointments still available for December 2020 and January 2021
2020 has been a wild ride.
 
For some us, it felt like it would never end and we’re glad to see the back of it. For others, its end has caught us by surprise. 
 
December, too, is a month that is frantic for some of us, while others are preparing to take a break.
 
Our AuriHealth team has been meeting with people and helping them put their NDIS Plans into action. They’re helping our mob get the support they need right now, and into the new year.
 
Our team still has time to have a yarn this year. Can we help you do the same? 
 
Get in touch today to see how we can help with your NDIS Plan, or help you apply for your first Plan. 

Is COVID19 an opportunity for change?

Logo for International Day for People with Disability

Tomorrow, December 3, is International Day of People with Disability and this year’s theme encourages us all to use Coronavirus as impetus for positive change.

The theme, “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”, is a theme that we hope will get people, organisations and businesses thinking – and acting. 

This year was undoubtedly challenging and the virus, lockdowns and restrictions had widespread impacts. But, we also saw people thinking differently and taking new approaches to their lives. We saw re-evaluation of priorities, changes in service delivery methods, business pivots and a swift increase in the number of people working from home. People thought outside the box, challenged their beliefs and tried new things.

Imagine if they also applied that to improving inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability?

International Day of People with Disability is a United Nations observed day and is celebrated internationally. We know that COVID-19 continues to impact around the world and that everyone’s experiences of this pandemic are different. But we hope that tomorrow, a spotlight will shine on the challenges and encourage people to act.

What changes would you like to see?

Find out more about International Day of People with Disability.

 

What is Plan Management?

Did you know you can choose how your NDIS funding is managed?
The NDIS is designed to give you more choice and control in your care and that includes choosing how your plan finances are managed.
While some people like the National Disability Insurance Agency to take care of that, others prefer to self manage. There is a third option though: Plan Management.
AuriHealth’s Plan Managers work with you to take care of the financial side of your plan, but also ensure you know where you are in terms of services delivered and budget remaining. We take the pressure off though, as we pay your invoices, make your NDIS claims and maintain your records.
Plan Management also gives you increased choice of providers, as it means you can use both NDIS registered providers and unregistered providers. This can be particularly useful for services like cleaning and gardening, or community access activities.
Every NDIS participant has the right to have Plan Management funding. This funding is provided in addition to the funding for your supports. You can request to be Plan Managed in your planning meeting, or mid-plan.
Want to learn more? Get in touch today to see how our AuriHealth Plan Management team can help you.

You can also find out more about Plan Management from the NDIS.

Helping more of our mob get support

Last quarter, 9.1% of the people who signed up for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

This is the highest percentage in the history of the NDIS, the quarterly report noted. It is growth, but disability is twice as common for our people. So that means many of our mob are still not accessing support and services.

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability looked at some of the issues around disability for our people in its interim report.  This included the term ‘disability’ itself and compounded discrimination. It also considered other barriers to seeking support. The Royal Commission’s work continues, but it also acknowledged that a lack of culturally appropriate services and supports continues to be an issue. 

We couldn’t agree more. That’s why we started AuriHealth. Our culture is important. Culturally appropriate services and supports improve outcomes for our people.

The NDIS is about giving people with disability choice and control to live a full and meaningful life – including our mob. Right now in our communities, there are people who have registered for the NDIS, but don’t know how to use their Plan. Many more are yet to apply or don’t know how to apply. Our team is helping them.

We are pleased more people are signing up to the get the support they need, but let’s also keep some perspective and continue to encourage more of our mob to do the same.  

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you or someone you know.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week 2020

Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2020

Always Was, Always Will be.

That’s the theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations, but for many of us, also a phrase that means so much more. 

NAIDOC Week is about celebrating our history, culture and achievements. Usually held in July, this week is about celebrating within our community, but also with Australians from all walks of life.

Our history and our culture are so important. Events like this are a chance for us to shine a light on it. We can share our stories, our history that dates back thousands of generations.

To our mob, Happy NAIDOC Week. COVID-19 may have changed the way we celebrate this year, but let’s make sure we keep sharing our stories and looking after our people. 

Find out more about NAIDOC Week

We exist to help you

The National Disability Insurance Scheme, or NDIS, can be pretty daunting.

We started AuriHealth to help you and your mob get disability care that gives you more choice and control. 

Aboriginal people aren’t using the NDIS as much as we could be. We’re underrepresented, under-supported and we want to help you get the services you need. Some of our mob have signed up and have an NDIS Plan, but just aren’t using it. Some of us haven’t signed up at all. 

Our team works to help you coordinate your care and supports, but we can also have a yarn to find out what you need and the next steps. 

Get in touch!

An NDIS Plan, now what?

Your first NDIS plan can be daunting.


It’s a plan shaped to consider your needs and goals, with funding allocated to support that. For some people, the next step is clear. For others, working out the next step can be daunting. An NDIS Plan may raise more questions and increase uncertainty. They might be questions about how to get the best services and supports; or, perhaps, how to get the best value for the funding you’ve been given. Or, perhaps, the plan doesn’t meet your needs or expectations? A plan review may be required.


The good news is, we’re here to help.


Support Coordination is about putting NDIS plans into action, so get in touch today.