NDIS National Community Connectors Program - Psychosocial

Overview

Mental Health Australia was pleased to work with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to implement a component of the National Community Connector Program (NCCP). 

This outreach program operated from August 2020 until 30 June 2021, and focused on connecting people with psychosocial disability with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The program had a particular focus on supporting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Services were provided across seven priority Local Government Areas where participation in the NDIS had been identified to be lower than expected: Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sydney, Blacktown, Stirling, Wanneroo and Darwin.

This program followed significant advocacy by Mental Health Australia and other disability sector advocates, for increased resourcing to support people with additional barriers to participate in the NDIS. 

Partner organisations

Mental Health Australia undertook a selective commissioning process to fund experienced organisations to deliver Community Connector services. Services were be delivered by organisations with strong local understanding, psychosocial service expertise and connections with homelessness services.

In total, 12 FTE Community Connector staffoperated across the seven identified Local Government Areas, as outlined below.

This program was funded for 12 months until 30 June 2021 an has unfortunately now ceased. People are instead encouraged to contact their NDIA Local Area Coordinator/Partner in the Community.

Further information for people with mental health conditions on how to access the NDIS is available through the reimagine website, created by the Mental Health Coordinating Council. Resources for supporting someone with a mental health condition to apply for the NDIS are also available through the Embark website, created by Independent Community Living Australia.

For further information, please contact NCCP@mhaustralia.org