The following Update was sourced from the FaCS website.
For members who regularly visit the FaCS website: please note that EIPP information is found both under CSGP realignment and Early Intervention Services, with the later possibly being updated first.
In the August 2011 EIPP program update, Community Services advised that the EIPP data collection tools would be available shortly.
Since this time, agreement has been reached between the peaks, sector stakeholders and Community Services staff, to introduce the EIPP data collection tools in stages.
The data collection tools for Intensive Family Support (IFS) and Intensive Family Preservation (IFP) will be made available first, as there is a smaller number of IFS and IFP services across the state compared with Child Youth and Family Support (CYFS).
The benefits of introducing the tools in stages, include the opportunity to rectify any issues that may arise with the smaller group of IFS/IFP services, before introducing the tools to the wider CYFS audience. It will also allow Community Services to determine the level of support that might be required by CYFS services during the establishment phase, and to prepare for this where possible.
Community Services intends to distribute the data collection tools to IFS/IFP services by November 2011. Assistance using the tools will be provided by phone and email – these contact details will be provided with the tools.
The CYFS data collection tools are expected to be introduced from 1 January 2012. In the meantime, CYFS services are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the performance measures in their service specification, as these reflect the data that will be collected and reported. Additionally, the IFS/IFP tools that will be available online shortly will give CYFS services an indication of the types of tools that will available to them.
Service providers are reminded that no EIPP service will be disadvantaged in the 2011/12 annual reporting period due to the staged introduction of the EIPP data collection tools.
FaMS and YAPA will continue to support service providers through the EIPP transition period and can be emailed at kit@yapa.org.au and mikesheargold@nswfamilyservices.asn.au The Community Services funding questions mail box is monitored daily and service providers can send their questions to fundingquestions.serviceproviders@facs.nsw.gov.au.