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I Can Jump Puddles & PlumTree’s Now & Next Program

I Can Jump Puddles & PlumTree’s Now & Next Program

by | May 8, 2024 | Collaborations

I Can Jump Puddles and PlumTree Partner Up: Supporting Families Through Now & Next

At I Can Jump Puddles, we understand the incredible challenges and rewards that come with raising a child with a disability. You’re their biggest advocate, and your well-being is crucial to their success. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our partnership with PlumTree to offer the award-winning Now & Next program to families across South Australia and Tasmania.

Now & Next: Empowering You, Empowering Your Child

Now & Next is designed to be a game-changer for families navigating the world of disability support. Facilitated by trained parent peer workers who have walked a similar path, the program provides a supportive space to learn, connect, and build resilience.

Over eight online sessions, you’ll gain valuable tools to:

  • Set and achieve goals: Learn to create a clear vision for your child’s future and identify strengths to build upon.
  • Reduce stress and improve well-being: Discover strategies to manage challenges and navigate the NDIS system effectively.
  • Connect with other families: Find a supportive community where shared experiences foster understanding and problem-solving.
  • Work effectively with professionals: Get tips on collaborating with therapists and support workers to get the most out of your child’s plan.

The Power of Shared Experience

Now & Next goes beyond traditional support models. By connecting with other families who understand your journey, you’ll gain invaluable insights and practical strategies that have worked for others. This camaraderie fosters a sense of belonging and reduces feelings of isolation.

Invest in Your Family’s Future

Now & Next is an investment in your child’s future, but it’s also an investment in your own well-being. By prioritizing your mental and emotional health, you’ll be better equipped to support your child and navigate the challenges that come with raising a child with a disability.

Ready to Take the Next Step? 

If you’re a South Australian or Tasmanian family caring for a child with a disability, Now & Next can be your key to unlocking lasting positive change. Contact I Can Jump Puddles to learn more about the program and explore how you can participate.

Together, we can help your child and family thrive.

Register Here

Now & Next

A Look Back at Our Partnership with Puddle Jumpers

A Look Back at Our Partnership with Puddle Jumpers

by | Apr 26, 2024 | Collaborations

This past Christmas, I Can Jump Puddles teamed up with Puddle Jumpers, a fantastic South Australian charity that supports vulnerable families. Together, we aimed to make sure every child experienced the magic of the season!

How You Helped:

  • The Giving Tree Grew Tall: Our office bustled with activity as many of you visited to choose gift tags for children and families in need.
  • Santa’s Accomplices Assembled: You became Santa’s little helpers, finding the perfect gifts based on the tags and leaving them under our Giving Tree.
  • The Cheer Spread Far and Wide: Thanks to you telling your friends and family, we collected a mountain of gifts!

Magic Delivered:

On December 20th, Puddle Jumpers collected the incredible amount of gifts, bringing Christmas joy to families across South Australia. It was a heart-warming sight to witness the culmination of our collaboration.

A Thank You for Your Creativity:

We saw so many thoughtful gifts – homemade cookies, heartfelt notes, and those special books that kids dream of. Your creativity truly made a difference!

Thank you for joining us in spreading Christmas cheer. Together, we made the holiday season unforgettable for many families!

I Can Jump Puddles & Noah’s Ark Staff Exchange Program

I Can Jump Puddles & Noah’s Ark Staff Exchange Program

by | Apr 26, 2024 | Collaborations

At I Can Jump Puddles (ICJP), we are always looking for ways to improve our services and provide the best possible support for our clients. This year, we were excited to participate in an exchange program with Noah’s Ark, a like-minded early intervention disability service provider based in Melbourne.

This program provided an opportunity for our staff members to shadow and learn from Noah’s Ark professionals. The exchange was mutually beneficial, with both organizations gaining valuable insights from each other.

Key Learnings from the Exchange Program

Our team members learned a lot from their time at Noah’s Ark, including:

The Importance of Trans-Disciplinary Collaboration: Noah’s Ark takes a trans-disciplinary approach to intervention, meaning that professionals from different disciplines work together to create a holistic plan for each client. This approach is something that we are already committed to at ICJP, and the exchange program helped us to see how it can be implemented even more effectively.
The Value of Practice Coaches: Noah’s Ark has a team of practice coaches who support staff members in implementing best practices. We were impressed with this model and are considering introducing a similar role at ICJP.
The Use of Telehealth: Noah’s Ark uses telehealth to provide services to clients who are unable to attend in-person sessions. This is something that we are interested in exploring further at ICJP.

Impact of the Exchange Program

The exchange program with Noah’s Ark has had a positive impact on ICJP. We are already in the process of implementing some of the things that we learned, such as introducing a regular newsletter to team members and developing a clearer process for accessing supervision.

We are confident that these changes will help us to continue to provide high-quality services to our clients.

Learn More

To learn more about Noah’s Ark, please visit their website: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/

How Hospital Research Foundation Empowers People through ICJP

How Hospital Research Foundation Empowers People through ICJP

by | Apr 26, 2024 | Collaborations

The Hospital Research Foundation (HRF) Group plays a vital role in supporting South Australians with disabilities. Their grant funding allows organizations like ICJP (I Can Jump Puddles) to provide crucial pre-access support, helping individuals navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

ICJP’s Impact with HRF Grant Funding:

Clients Supported: 54 (link to a page detailing client stories)
Hours of Support: 648
HRF Contribution: $104,755

What is Pre-Access Support?

Pre-access support bridges the gap for individuals seeking NDIS access. ICJP, with the support of HRF funding, offers a comprehensive package including:

  • Gathering Medical Information: ICJP facilitates the collection of medical evidence related to a person’s disability from healthcare professionals.
  • Disability Needs Assessment: Physiotherapists and psychologists conduct thorough evaluations to determine disability-related needs.
  • NDIS Eligibility Support: ICJP assists individuals in understanding and meeting NDIS eligibility requirements.
  • Goal Setting and Planning: ICJP works collaboratively with clients to define goals and develop plans for utilizing NDIS funding to:
    • Increase independence
    • Enhance community access
    • Pursue passions
    • The Impact of HRF Funding

The HRF grant has significantly improved the lives of individuals with neuromuscular disabilities who lack NDIS funding. Here’s how:

Improved Quality of Life: Over 40 clients and their families have benefitted from enhanced support services.

NDIS Access Facilitation: The HRF grant has empowered clients to access allied health services for assessments, ultimately leading to NDIS eligibility.
Testimonials:

Sam Boag, Director, ICJP: “The HRF’s proactive approach in funding solutions for gaps in services has been invaluable. We are grateful to be part of this life-changing program.” 

Sherri Thompson, Client Supported through HRF Grant: “Thanks to ICJP and the HRF, my NDIS application was successful, allowing me greater access to the community and home help.”

Addressing the NDIS Application Process:

ICJP recognizes the complexity of the NDIS application process. They offer pre-access support to:

  • Demystify the NDIS: Provide clarity and understanding of the NDIS system.
  • Navigate Administrative Processes: Assist individuals in navigating the application process.
  • Reduce Application Stress: Ease the burden associated with NDIS applications.

Financial Barriers Removed:

The HRF grant has significantly reduced financial barriers to comprehensive assessments, making the NDIS application process more accessible.

Conclusion:

The collaboration between the Hospital Research Foundation and ICJP empowers individuals with disabilities to access the NDIS and achieve greater independence and a more fulfilling life.