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We have lots of events in October and November. To check them out and book your place click here.

Representatives from the Illawarra Disability Alliance recently met with Stephen Jones MP to express their concerns about the impact of government changes to Temporary Transition Plan provisions. The NDIS introduced the Temporary Transformation Payment (TTP) from 1 July 2019 in order to provide additional funding to organisations to assist them to transform their business. It acknowledges the costs involved for organisations to transform their operations and continue viably under the NDIS. TTP can be applied to in-home support and community participant supports whether provided in a centre or in the community (and when provided one-to-one or in groups). In this financial year, it is set at 7.5%, decreasing by 1.5% per year. Before claiming the TTP-included price, providers must have the agreement of a participant and agree to meet 3 NDIA-set criteria by December 2019 (the main one being to participate in an NDIA-endorsed benchmarking survey). NDIS plans already in […]

Community Industry Group invites members, supporters and students to our Annual General Meeting on Thursday 7 November 2019, 9:30 for a 10am start at Shellharbour Civic Centre. Everyone is welcome but only financial members are eligible to vote at the AGM. Please contact the office at info@cigroup.org.au to check if your membership is current. Special Guest Speaker: Mark Isaacs We last heard from Mark in 2015 about his time in Naru and his book ‘The Undesirables’. His latest book is The Kabul Peace House about a community of peace activists in Afghanistan. For a printable version of the invitation click here. To confirm your attendance click here.

Illawarra Consultation Forum – Shelter NSW Shelter NSW has identified five key elements that could underpin a system to deliver on our vision of A secure home for all. Everyone deserves a secure home to call their own. A diverse and integrated system provides a variety of options. All tenures provide dignity, stability and affordability. Cities, neighbourhoods and homes are built for diversity and inclusion. Communities are supported and engaged through change. Shelter NSW has developed a discussion paper to prompt conversations and engagement to build a coherent and persuasive set of messages that are informed by Shelter NSW members and stakeholders. Community Industry Group is partnering with Shelter NSW to seek the input of organisations in the Illawarra region. We want to hear what a secure home for all means to you. Friday 27 September 2019, 9.30am-12.30pm (morning tea included), Southern Youth & Family Services, 25 Lake Entrance Road, […]

The Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs has announced an Inquiry into the Adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support payments in Australia. Details of the Inquiry, including the Terms of Reference are available here. Many of the clients and community members seeking supports from local community service organisations are living on payments such as Newstart and Youthstart. These payments are inadequate to help people get through tough times and into suitable employment. Our members report increasing levels of demand for supports for basic needs such as food and housing, and increasing levels of desperation in those people who are trying to survive on income which, by definition, puts them under the poverty line. The rate of Newstart has not been increased for 25 years, while the cost of living, especially housing and energy costs, has gone through the roof. Community […]