Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC)
This service helps people get the support they
need to be as independent as possible in their home or community. It is often called
"the Gateway" to Government-funded disability support services.
What is NASC?
When does a person need to contact a NASC service?
What does NASC do?
Who provides NASC services?
What is NASC?
Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) is the first step for a person
to get Government-funded disability support services, except in some cases (see
below). Services may include help with personal support, meals, household management,
carer support, day programmes, and the support provided by rest homes and private
hospitals.
If a person's needs change, NASC will re-assess and re-coordinate services.
NASC agencies must make sure that a person is eligible to receive Government-funded
support services according to the Ministry of Health's definition of disability.
NASC agencies ensure that people with the most urgent needs receive support first
within the available budget.
When does a person need to contact a NASC service?
Although NASC is the usual way to access Government-funded disability support services,
it is not always necessary. For example, equipment assessments and disability information
and advice (DIAS) can be accessed by contacting the relevant organisation directly.
However, it may be a good idea to involve NASC to make sure all needs are being
met in the best way.
What does NASC do?
A Needs Assessor meets with a person (and their support people) to carry out a needs
assessment. The main purpose of a needs assessment is to find out what is needed
to help a person be as independent as possible in their home and community. The
assessor will ask for information about what the person can and can't do, what they
would like to be able to do, and what help or resources they currently have. The
Assessor will also ask about a person’s recreational, social and personal development
needs, their training and education needs, their vocational and employment needs
and where appropriate, the needs of their family/whanau and unpaid support people.
Options for support are discussed and agreed by all involved. Then a Service Coordinator
works out what can be provided by Government-funded services and what can be provided
by other services to meet the needs identified. This means looking at a range of
options for meeting a person's needs, including helping them to access other services
that may be useful.
Who provides NASC services?
Support Net provides NASC services for people in the Bay of Plenty district.
Support Net - Kupenga Hao Ite Ora
- Tauranga (includes Athenree, Katikati, Tauranga, Te
Puke, Waihi Beach)
Ph 07 571 0093
Fax 07 571 0277
- Whakatane (includes Edgecumbe, Murupara, Ohope, Opotiki,
Whakatane)
Ph 07 306 0986
Fax 07 306 0987
Information for health providers
See the Ministry of Health website for more detail
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