Younger People In Residential Aged Care - Information sessions about the my future my choice initiative

On February 10 2006, the Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) announced a limited, 5 year program to begin offering alternative accommodation and support options to young Australians with disabilities currently living in residential aged care settings.  In Victoria, this initiative is known as my future my choice.

Initially targeting young people in residential aged care less than 50 years of age, this program will operate in every State and Territory and has three key objectives.  These are to:

• Provide alternative support options to younger people with a disability, where it can be made available and where this is what the younger person chooses
• Enhance disability supports in residential aged care for younger people with a disability who choose to remain in residential aged care, or for whom this remains the most suitable option
• Provide alternative responses to younger people with a disability who are at risk of being admitted to residential aged care.

Managed by a dedicated team from Disability Services in the Department of Human Services, planning for the implementation of this initiative in Victoria has been underway for some time.  The Summer Foundation has been contracted to develop a planning and assessment tool that will be used to explore opportunities for alternative or improved support arrangements.  Given the importance of this process to young people and their families, planners will be well trained in this innovative approach to individual planning.

The Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance and the Summer Foundation have been asked to run a series of information sessions in each region across Victoria about the my future my choice initiative and in particular, the individual planning process.  These sessions are aimed at young people living in residential aged care, their families and social and support networks; and aged care staff involved in their care and support. 

If a young person and/or their family support network is unable to attend the information session in their area, they will be offered the option of a one-on-one discussion about this initiative and what it may offer them.

If you would like further information about the my future my choice information sessions or to know when one will be held in your area, please contact Ami Seabrook, Community Liaison Manager at the Summer Foundation on 03 8812 2511 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For general information about my future my choice, visit: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability/myfuturemychoice