ACD recognises that peer support can help people feel more confident, knowledgeable, capable, and less isolated. ACD Peer support groups started with NDIS focus in mind and an awareness that parents/carers needed support to be able to transition into the NDIS successfully.
ACD has partnered with several MyTime groups across Victoria. MyTime is a national program for parents and carers of children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. The groups are led by experienced facilitators and meet regularly.
The partnership has allowed ACD to deliver information about the NDIS to MyTime groups where peer support is already established. Parents attending the MyTime groups are already in an environment in which they are comfortable and feel connected, and feel secure sharing details about themselves and their children. MyTime facilitators have been able to provide ACD with specific feedback about the needs of each group, which has enabled ACD to tailor information for each group.
MyTime members have commented that having an ACD facilitator involved with their group helped them to feel more knowledgeable and confident about the NDIS.
“We know we have ongoing support and information through ACD and that is a big relief.”
“Having information about the NDIS in our group means that we can not only get NDIS information but we can talk about it and our kids… we all know each other here.”
ACD will continue to partner with MyTime through 2018 to continue to support parents of young children prepare for the Introduction of the NDIS in their areas.
Information about ACD Connecting with other families can be found at www.acd.org.au/connecting-with-other-families/
MyTime groups can be found at www.mytime.net.au