Home Key Reforms and Initiatives

Initiatives

Since 2002, YPINHna has been activity working toward the resolution of the ‘young people in nursing homes’ issue by collaborating with stakeholders in the development of key policy initiatives and systemic reforms at state and federal levels. Stakeholders include state and federal governments; service providers; other community organisations; representatives from the disability, health, aged care and housing service systems; national peak and member organisations.

YPINHna recognised from the outset that resolution of the YPINH issue would depend on substantive reform of the disability and health services system to deliver an integrated, collaborative approach.

The Alliance developed and led a national YPINH media campaign that raised awareness of the YPINH issue; called for the Commonwealth to take responsibility of this national problem and work collaboratively with its state counterparts to resolve it; and supported YPINH and their families to speak for themselves about the responses they wanted.

The national YPINH media campaign united individuals and organisations across the country in pursuit of a proactive response and was directly responsible for the announcement in 2006 of the 5-year COAG Younger People In Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) Initiative (known as ‘My Future My Choice’ in Victoria).

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Disability Support and Care

The Alliance successfully lobbied the Federal Government for the Productivity Commission to conduct an inquiry into Disability Care and Support. The Productivity Commission's report, titled Disability Care and Support, has helped shape the development of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS).

National Rehabilitation Strategy

In addition to its ongoing focus on systemic reform, the Alliance continues advocating for a National Rehabilitation Strategy. Without slow stream and other rehabilitation options to restore health and capacity after catastrophic injury or exacerbation of disease, young Australians with complex health and other support needs are condemned to a life of pain, poor health and increased dependence.