Laurie Ohall’s Post

How to navigate guardianship advocacy for your child with special needs in Florida.

📢 Dive into our latest blog post, "What Does a Child Advocate Do?" Discover the pivotal role these professionals play in supporting children in challenging family situations, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard. Learn about essential duties, qualifications, and why their advocacy is crucial. #ChildAdvocate #ChildWelfare #Advocacy #ChildrensRights #CaseManagement #CAC #childadvocacycenters #childwelfaresoftware

NDIS Service Providers are instructed they are not permitted to be advocates. They are told to refer to the DSS Funded Advocacy Services, BUT all of them having waiting lists, and most people will never get assistance in the time-frame required. In my opinion, it is Reasonable and absolutely Necessary that NDIS Participants, their carers and guardians, as well as individuals trying to get access to the scheme, have immediate, same-day access to Independent Advocacy and ongoing Advocacy. Support Coordinators and other Service Providers can play our part of ensuring the reports we provide and the evidence we collect is of the highest standard possible. By us going over every little detail of what we prepare for a participant, and understanding the difference between providing a stack of documentation, compared to robust evidence, we can prepare cases to be, what I refer to as AAT Ready from the beginning. BUT without real time access to Advocates, it is stacked in favor of the large Federal Government Agency, and totally against the one citizen, and that is plain, unfair and unjust. Please support the need of funding, fair and accessible Advocacy services for anyone needing to engage with the NDIS.

This is one of many scales recently shared by the Disability Advocacy and Research Network (DARN). The DRSS may be very useful in determining barriers faced by those with disabilities during service delivery. To learn more about DARN, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gHvW_2pk #disabilityadvocacy #carecoordination #excellenceinservice

One of the most positive changes in disability advocacy is the increasing belief that members of the disability community should be at the center of the narrative. This is evident in the language we use to talk about that community. Learn how to choose the right languages when speaking to the disability community! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGwVNVYQ #PersonFirstLanguage #IdentityFirstLanguage

Read my interview below!

Every day I see the benefits of families advocating for their children with disability 💜 The importance of advocacy is highlighted by both the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review. However, disability advocacy is severely underfunded. Currently, there is no federal funding for Victorian child and family-focused disability advocacy. This needs to change. ACD is supporting the Speak Up for Independent Advocacy campaign. Please join us in asking the Australian Government to increase funding.👇 https://lnkd.in/gK-3vUb9 #speakup4advocacy #disabilityadvocacy

In terms of housing advocacy and knowledge We ensure that this is the highest point on our pyramid or that advocacy works to improve housing for individuals with developmental disabilities. Understanding a home lease Teaching them about relocation Teaching them the process of creating a circle of Teaching them about portion Planning centers or teaching about community-based services General information offering a different presentation  We will always place advocacy at the top of our priority list within the work that we do with our Advocates and the support of our support staff  Information and advocacy for housing at the top of our pyramid 

Systems advocacy is how ARISE makes our goal of independence and access for all a reality. 

Today and tomorrow the BIVONA Child Advocacy Center (CAC) holds their annual Summit. Millermedia7 wants to thank all of the attendees for all that they do every day. We can't imagine what our community would be like without you! Incredible turnout for their keynote speaker and welcoming ceremony. What is the Summit? BIVONA Child Advocacy Summit serves as a catalyst for positive change, bringing together professionals, advocates, and stakeholders to collectively work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for children. Professionals across a wide range of roles; education, healthcare, protective services, child advocates, law enforcement and legal support. The BIVONA Child Advocacy Summit holds significant value in several ways: Awareness and Education: The Summit raises awareness about child advocacy issues, such as child abuse prevention, child welfare, and juvenile justice. It educates attendees about the challenges faced by children and families, as well as potential solutions. Networking and Collaboration: The Summit provides a platform for professionals from various sectors, including social work, law enforcement, education, and healthcare, to come together, share ideas, and collaborate on strategies to better support and protect children. Professional Development: Attendees may have the opportunity to participate in workshops, seminars, and training sessions aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge in child advocacy, trauma-informed care, and related fields. Policy Influence: The Summit may include discussions on policy initiatives and legislative advocacy efforts aimed at improving laws and systems that affect children. It may empower attendees to advocate for policy changes in their communities or at the state and national levels. Empowerment and Inspiration: The summit can be a source of empowerment and inspiration for attendees, reaffirming their commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of children. Keynote speakers, success stories, and presentations on innovative approaches may motivate attendees to continue their important work. Thank you! Congratulations to the BIVONA team for bringing together this valuable event! #BivonaChildAdvocacyCenter,#ChildProtection, Activate to view larger image,