Synapse Brokerage Program Guidelines

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1 Synapse Brokerage Program Guidelines Overview: The New South Wales (NSW) Department of Family and Community Services - Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) has provided funds to Synapse for a Brokerage Program in NSW. As this is a NSW state government funded initiative, Synapse s Brokerage Program is only available to NSW residents. What is the aim of the Brokerage Program? The aim of the Brokerage Program is to support people affected by brain injuries to address, or partially address, an individual goal related to enhancing quality of life, developing skills, and / or building capacity to live more independently. What is a brokerage program package? The maximum Brokerage Program package is $2,500 (plus GST). In exceptional circumstances funds requested may exceed that amount. When are brokerage program packages offered? Synapse s Brokerage Program Panel considers applications every 6 weeks throughout the year. Approximately $25,000 of worth of funding packages will be allocated each quarter. Who can apply for a Brokerage Program Package? If you are a person with a brain injury, you may apply on your own behalf If you are a carer, family member or individual supporting a person with a brain injury, you may also apply on behalf of that person If you are a person with a brain injury, you may ask a service provider to assist you in making the application, or, if you cannot find supports Synapse may be able to assist you. If you are a service provider to a person with a brain injury, then you can apply on behalf of that person Previous applicants who have received funding through the Brokerage Program in the past may apply again for a different purpose. However, if there are more applications than funds available, people who have not received funding before will be given priority. How do I apply for a brokerage program package? Any person requesting funds will need to submit a completed application form. The form can be accessed on the Synapse website or by requesting it from Synapse. Anyone completing the application will need to provide as much detail as possible to enable us to understand the applicant s goal(s), general situation and to demonstrate a clear need. Applications also need to demonstrate that: The person has a brain injury and supporting documentation is provided Funds are not available from other sources to be utilised for the services or equipment (including under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)) The services are delivered by a fit and proper organisation or individual (e.g. with Work Health Safety policies and relevant insurance cover); and

2 Any equipment acquired will be covered by a warranty. You are encouraged to contact the Synapse Information and Referral Service to discuss possible avenues of support prior to lodging a brokerage application. Please refer to these Synapse Brokerage Program Guidelines while completing the Application Form. Submit the application by post, or fax, more details on how to lodge your application are at the end of this document. What happens when a brokerage program application is received? Synapse will receive, acknowledge and facilitate the assessment and approval process. Applications that are deemed complete, compliant with these guidelines and contain all necessary information will proceed automatically to the next panel meeting. Applications that are incomplete or have insufficient accompanying information will not be reviewed by the panel. In such instances, the Brokerage Program Coordinator will contact the applicant to seek any missing information. The application can then be considered at the next scheduled panel meeting. Applications will be considered by the Synapse Brokerage Panel that meets every 6 weeks. Panel meeting dates are advertised on the Synapse website, but are subject to change in the event that quorum of panel members cannot attend on the previously set panel meeting date. The panel comprises the Synapse Brokerage Program Coordinator and minimum of 3 other members who have been appointed following a selection process. The appointed members of the panel include people with a lived experience of brain injury, professionals with experience working with people with a brain injury, as well as members of the community. A panel can also be convened to consider any applications needing to be dealt with urgently, however this is only in exceptional circumstances. In the event that funding is not sufficient to meet the requests of all eligible applicants, a decision to partially fund, not to fund, or to defer consideration may be made. Where possible, the Brokerage Panel will suggest alternative services or funding sources when an application is unsuccessful. All applicants will be informed of the panel s decision in relation to their application. What can the funds be used for? The purpose of the application should be for goods or services to assist the person with the impact of a brain injury. Packages are intended to be used for individual personal goals that have clear and specific outcomes. The packages are for short-term or one-off purposes.

3 Examples of allowable uses of Brokerage Program funding; NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: to fund a Neuropsychological Assessment conducted by a specialist clinical Neuropsychologist. This involves compressive testing of cognitive, psychological, emotional and behavioural functioning. A report is then provided to that details the findings of the assessment. This type of assessment can highlight cognitive strengths and weaknesses for someone affected by brain injury. Neuropsychological Assessment report may assist someone affected by brain injury to demonstrate eligibility for funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or Disability Support Pension (DSP). COMMUNITY ACCESS: to purchase disability service provider programs, private companion carers and/or community-based activity program(s) for a fixed, pre-determined period to achieve community re-integration goal(s) when no other funded service is available. ALLIED HEALTH / REHABILITATION SUPPORT: to purchase allied health interventions or therapy programs, for a fixed, pre-determined period to address a specific physical health goal(s) when no other funded service is available. For example: Physical conditioning program including personal trainers and / or gym-based exercise programs; Driver assessment and / or retraining; Home access assessment or equipment review; or Where an up to date assessment is needed e.g. neuropsychological assessment EDUCATION / TRAINING: to purchase training or educational programs, for a fixed, predetermined period to address specific goal(s) related to employment or vocational goal(s) when no other funded service is available. For example; Vocational training program/course Training to enhance employment prospects PURCHASE OF GOODS / EQUIPMENT / HOME MODIFICATIONS: one-off purchase of goods that would assist the person to achieve independent living, communication, and mobility related goal(s). This is confined to goods not available through Enable NSW (Tel: ) or home modification schemes. Please include any necessary assessments and support or training the person may need to use the goods. For example: Assistive Technology - such as communication devices or tablet devices, plus any necessary training to use the device. For people considering whether to apply for a tablet device we recommend reading the following Fact Sheet: Should I get a Tablet Device? PARTICIPATION IN RECREATION / LEISURE / SPORTS ACTIVITIES: to purchase physical, recreational, social, leisure, sports based programs, for a fixed, pre-determined period to address specific goal(s) when no other funded service is available. For example; Personal training program Fitness program Yoga course Leisure program/camp

4 RESPITE: to purchase respite services for a fixed and pre-determined period under the following circumstances: No other funded respite care options are available (e.g. HACC-funded residential, inhome or day centre respite services); Where other respite options are available but they have a waiting list, and waiting would lead to imminent risk for the person with brain injury and / or their carer(s); or The respite required is a short term service to avert crisis and / or to assist in achievement of a person s goals. What the funds cannot be used for? Packages should not be used to establish ongoing supports that will result in distress to people when they cease. Any application seeking funding for ongoing therapies and supports will not be approved. Applications that are requesting supports previously provided under the brokerage program will not be approved other than in exceptional circumstances. The funds cannot be used for services that are available by alternative means. Applicants will need to demonstrate that it has not been possible to obtain the funds requested from any other sources. For advice or assistance in this regard please contact our Information and Referral service. Funds cannot be reimbursed for products or services purchased prior to the application being submitted for review by the Panel. No assumptions should be made regarding the outcome of the Panel s deliberation. Funds cannot be provided to purchase products or services that are purchased from international websites and charged in foreign currency. Funds cannot be provided to purchase goods or services that are unrelated to the applicant s brain injury. Are any particular Brokerage Program applications given priority access to the funds? Yes, those applicants seeking Brokerage Program funding to obtain a Neuropsychological Assessment (where they have not had a Neuropsychological assessment in the past) will be given top priority. Those applicants seeking Brokerage Program funding who have not received funding before will be given next priority. What responsibilities does an applicant have? The applicant will be responsible for: Ensuring the application is developed with individual meaningful goals in mind; Communicating the intention to apply with people likely to be involved in the process such as a guardian, support person or case manager and clarifying who will take responsibility for its administration; Providing enough details including goods or services and their associated costs in the application form to show how the requested amount was calculated and how the funds will be used;

5 Ensuring that the agency or service receiving the funds is able to generate a correctly rendered tax invoice in order for the funds to be managed and expended for the approved purpose; Satisfying Synapse that: Any equipment obtained with the funding will be covered by a warranty; Any modifications proposed will be carried out by a licensed operator; and The provider of any services has the necessary insurances, qualifications to deliver the services and meets Work Health and Safety obligations; Ensuring that the package is administered/spent consistently with the approved application and used solely for the approved purpose; Ensuring the funds are activated within 3 months of being approved and used within 6 months of approval; Informing Synapse if funds are no longer required and promptly returning any funds that cannot be used for the approved purpose; Providing accurate information; and Promptly providing Synapse with a brief report upon expenditure of the funds, detailing how they were spent, and their impact on the person s individual goals. Why was my application not successful? Applications may be unsuccessful if: The applicant does not have a brain injury; The applicant has not provided evidence of having a brain injury; The information provided was insufficient and / or does not provide an adequate explanation or basis for the request; Alternative supports and / or funding sources have not been explored; The requested support is available and accessible in the community; There is no evidence of an individual plan or goals for the person with the brain injury; Other applicants were considered to be a higher priority, and there is insufficient funding to fund all applications; or The needs of the person are significantly more complex than the funding is able to address; The goods or services were purchased prior to the brokerage application being submitted for review by the Panel. What if I have a complaint about the procedure or want to appeal the Brokerage panel s decision? Complaints Procedure: The rights and responsibilities of persons using the services of Synapse can be made can be found on our website at:

6 When an applicant is unhappy with the handling of the application or decision not to fund their application, they are encouraged to ring and discuss the outcome with Synapse. Complaints are managed in accordance with Complaints Resolution Policy that can also be found on our website at: Appeal Procedure: Should an applicant believe that the Brokerage Panel has made a decision that does not make sense or is based on inadequate information the applicant or primary contact may appeal in writing to the CEO of Synapse, explaining their concerns and reason(s) for asking the panel to re-assess the application. Any decision not to approve an application from people previously granted brokerage funds due to a need to prioritise applications from other people with brain injury in NSW will not be subject to appeal.