Innovation Fund 2013/14 Call for Expressions of Interest Guidelines West Moreton-Oxley Partners in Recovery (WMO PIR) is calling for Expressions of Interest from interested providers to undertake projects which will help reform the human services system to better support the recovery of people experiencing severe and persistent mental health issues and who have complex needs. In this funding round, an amount in the region of $200,000 has been set aside for this process to: Address systemic /regional service delivery issues; Fill service gaps identified by comprehensive needs assessment processes including data gathered in the region, discussion with various inter-agency and key stakeholder interest groups within the region and issues identified through the themes and issues register. 1. Background PIR is a federal government initiative, funded through the Department of Health. Aftercare is the lead agency of the Partners in Recovery initiative in the region and operates in a consortium model. Partners in the WMO consortium include Access Community Services Incorporated, Queensland Government, Drug Arm, FSG Australia, Neami National, Open Minds, Richmond Fellowship Qld and West Moreton-Oxley Medicare Local. WMO PIR works with people who: Have long term, severe problems with their mental health Have complex needs that can t be addressed by just one support service Have experienced difficulties in gaining the help they need. Want to work with someone to make things better. The WMO PIR region has undertaken a community development style approach to identifying needs within the region. Since November 1 2013, there have been a range of discussions and presentations about PIR that have occurred with: Interest Groups Inter-agency and service provider networks, and Staff teams working in mental health. Visits have been made to service providers and various discussions have been held with services, with clients and with carers to inform the needs of the region. Our focus is on supporting service integration and system reform for the benefit of PIR clients and the wider population of people with long term, severe problems with their mental health and who have complex needs. To achieve this we work with a wide cross section of services, including primary care, acute hospital, health, community and social support. Page 1
2. Scope of Innovation Fund Projects The intent of the innovation fund is to: Focus on system reform (not direct service delivery) Benefit people with long term, severe mental health issues who have complex needs Target reform in the WMO region Not duplicate an existing project. Types of projects the Innovation Fund may support include: Activities that build the capacity of groups, organisations and/or networks Projects that improve access for people to health and community services Sustained and effective partnerships which work to improve the coordination and integration of the service system Pilot projects Seed funding for projects with demonstrated sustainability and/or exit strategies Training Feasibility or scoping studies Research Extensions or developments to existing projects, where there is a clear additional need identified Reform benefit to the PIR target group in the WMO region. The Innovation Fund will NOT support: Religious or political projects Vehicles (including lease or purchase) or other assets valued $5,000 (+GST) or more Infrastructure, building improvements, capital works projects Ongoing service delivery or an applicant s ongoing operational costs Salaries and wages unless directly related to the project Retrospective funding for projects or purchases In 2013/14, we are calling for Expressions of Interest from providers to undertake system reform projects which address a theme in the table below. These priorities have been identified through consultation and data collected, however they do not reflect all of the needs and issues identified throughout the region. It is anticipated that these issues may be identified in future funding rounds. The following list has been identified as a starting point for addressing systems issues. These priorities fit within the ADKAR framework of raising awareness and harnessing a desire for change and fit within the PIR program objectives of: -Facilitating better coordination of clinical and other supports and services to deliver wrap around care individually tailored to the person s needs; -Strengthening partnerships and building better links between various clinical and community support organisations responsible for delivering services to the PIR target group; Page 2
-Improving referral pathways that facilitate access to the range of services and supports needed by the PIR target group; and -Promoting a community based recovery model to underpin all clinical and community support services delivered to people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs The following initiatives will be prioritised in this round of funding and should be read in conjunction with the information on the scope of Innovation Fund projects as per above and the assessment criteria at Section 3 below. They are not listed in any priority order. Theme Examples of how this be undertaken in practice Review of clinical and non clinical consultation approaches. This will promote strategies in consultation processes that focus on wellbeing and holistic care. The format of the consultation places is useful for the person and values their lived experience. - Tools for consultations that encourage a focus on wellbeing and a holistic approach and collaborative care. - Professional development activities such as asset based approaches, wellness coaching and appreciative inquiry with professionals and service providers that encourage sector navigation. - Strategies which encourage consumers to ask questions of their health care providers and empower them to be a part of their overall health care, so they may advocate for their own health and well-being. - Initiatives that encourage consultations to be provided more flexibly and creatively in order to align with consumer needs. Page 3
Strategies which compliment clinical care i.e. improved well-being, building social networks. This builds sustainable social networks of support for consumers and develops strategies to enhance social inclusion in community life. - Capacity building activities with mainstream services that enable them to include individuals who experience mental health issues. - The development of a data base of community based activities that could be utilised by clinicians and service providers that compliment clinical care. - Seed funding to commence social networks or activities that could ultimately be peer led and receive ongoing support. - Opportunities for skills development and educational exchanges between members of the community and consumers. Change in service design around service user need. This will tackle barriers that consumers currently experience in accessing and receiving service and encourage user friendly service delivery. - Initiatives that enable services to be more flexibly tailored to consumer needs e.g. outreach, how clients are welcomed and are able to feel safe within the service, how information is shared. - Initiatives that implement service design changes based on consumer feedback and consultation. Co designing referral and care coordination pathways This encourages service coordination and initiatives that allow for clients to experience a smooth journey through both formal and informal support systems to ensure their needs are met. In co-design, clients are part of an equal part of the decision making process, - The setting up of a network with seed funding that utilises consumer experiences to document enhanced and streamlined referral pathways to optimise care. - Resources that support care coordination and consumer participation in this process. - Co designing referral and care coordination pathways that identify stakeholders outside of mental health work e.g. mainstream community organisations, volunteer and peer networks. Page 4
Services joining together for better co-production Co-production enables people to play roles in delivering the services that they have designed. - Services and consumers joining together for peer support activities, or making decisions together around practice issues that better support consumers. - Building the capacity of consumers to take a role in co-production and preparing service providers for this to occur. Page 5
3. Criteria The following criteria will be used to assess applications: 1. Clear demonstration of how the activity will produce reform to the human services system. 2. Clear demonstration of how the activity will deliver benefits for people with long term, severe mental health issues who have complex needs. 3. The activity requires the participation of a collaborative. 4. There is alignment with the WMO Partners in Recovery Framework of ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement) 5. The activity is achievable and demonstrates key outcomes within the timeframe. The underpinning principles of projects that will be considered favourably will show evidence of: An asset based approach: People are not recipients of services but are equal partners in the design and delivery of services. Building on people s existing capabilities: altering the service delivery model to that there are opportunities for to recognise and grow individual and community capabilities. Reciprocity and mutuality: offering people a range of incentives to work reciprocal relationships with professionals and each other, where there are mutual responsibilities and expectations. Peer support networks: engaging peer and personal networks alongside professionals as the best way of transferring knowledge. Blurring distinctions: removing the distinction between professionals and recipients and between producers and consumers of services by reconfiguring the way services are developed and delivered. Facilitating rather than delivering: enabling public service agencies to become catalysts and facilitators rather than being the main providers themselves. Applications will be assessed by a panel chaired by the WMO Flexible funding/innovations Group and recommendations will go to the west Moreton-Oxley PIR consortium for approval. 4. Amount Available The 2013/14 the PiR Innovation Fund will be able to fund up to: a range of small projects up to $20,000 2 larger projects up to $50,000 in value Small project applicants do not need to provide matched funding. However large project applicants will need to detail any cash contributions and demonstrate the in kind contributions to the project, for example through volunteer hours, provision of office space, administrative support or project management support. Page 6
5. Eligible Organisations Organisations with not for profit objectives are eligible to apply directly to the PiR Innovation Fund. This includes, but is not limited to the following current legislations and their subordinate legislation or regulations as may be amended from time to time: Associations Incorporation Act 1981(Qld) Religious, Educational and Charitable Institutions Act 1861 (Qld) Cooperatives Act 1997 (Qld) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (provided such organisation is a company limited by guarantee with not for profit objectives) Aboriginal Councils and Associations act 1976 (Cth) Community Services Act 2007 (Qld) Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld) (including Parent and Citizens Associations) Sole Traders, Proprietary Limited (Pty Ltd), Public Companies Limited by Guarantee, and Public Companies Limited by Shares are also eligible provided the project proposal is not for profit. Queensland Government agencies are also eligible. Current WMO PIR Consortium members cannot apply individually or as Lead Organisation (but can be a collaborating organisation). Applicant (lead) organisations must also satisfy the following conditions: Have the appropriate legal status or be sponsored by an eligible organisation. Based in, or provide services to people in the WMO region. Applicant organisations may form partnerships or a consortium with other organisations located outside the Medicare Local area. Submit a detailed project plan (if invited) clearly demonstrating project need, project benefits and a detailed project budget and provide at least two letters of support and all mandatory attachments. 6. Key Dates Call for Expressions of Interest open 10th April Applications close - 30th May Notification of successful applicants by the end of June 2014. 7. Project Support Successful projects will be supported by WMO PIR (e.g. linkages to PIR partners/network, linkages to other Medical Local services, strategic advice and input). A PIR Support Facilitator may be assigned to support and contribute to each project (e.g. participation in steering or advisory groups, input into project planning, strategic advice and input). Page 7
8. Monitoring & Reporting Applicant (lead) organisations that are successful in receiving funding will be required to submit a Final Report detailing the project to the PIR Consortium. 9. Instructions to Applicants Please read these guidelines carefully in conjunction with the Application Form. To apply for a smaller project applicants should use the shorter innovations application form. For funding over $20,000, it is expected that applicants will complete the longer more detailed application. Please note that it is the applicant s responsibility to ensure their application is complete and that all required relevant attachments are submitted by the closing date. Incomplete applications cannot be assessed. For advice and support around completing the application please contact: Carolyn Perry cperry@westmoretonoxley.com.au ph. 3470 5653 or 0437 230 220 Page 8