Disabled people in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes area will receive continued support in the community with the help of ImagineBetter, which has been selected by the Ministry of Health to continue Local Area Coordination in the Bay of Plenty.

ImagineBetter established itself to lead the programme yesterday, which assists disabled people to live good, everyday lives.

ImagineBetter is taking over the LAC programme in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes area.

The organisation will also extend LAC to the Lakes District over the next three years.

'With strong community links and experience with similar work, ImagineBetter has the capability to enhance LAC, while complementing existing Disability Support Services,” says MoH Disability Support Services general manager Toni Atkinson.

ImagineBetter CEO Tony Blackett says the small, community-based organisation encourages people to imagine, plan for and realise a good life for themselves within the ordinary world.

'We are delighted to be able to continue that way of working through supporting Local Area Coordinators in both the Bay of Plenty and the Lakes District.”

Disabled people and their family will continue to have LAC assistance throughout the transition to the new organisation.

ImagineBetter is also planning introductory meetings for disabled people, family, community and providers.

'We will be organising a series of events over the coming weeks and we are looking forward to meeting people,” says Tony.

The continued implementation of LAC follows a successful two-year demonstration in the Bay of Plenty as part of the Ministry of Health's New Model for Supporting Disabled People.

Toni says an evaluation of the demonstration has shown that LAC has been beneficial for many disabled people and their family.

LACs have supported disabled people in achieving their goals, including connecting with their communities; trying new activities; increasing social connections; learning new skills; finding new homes and paid employment; and feeling more positive about the future.

Inclusion Aotearoa was contracted to set up LAC, develop policies and practices, and employ Local Area Coordinators and their manager during the demonstration phase.

They will continue to employ Local Area Coordinators until August 31 and will work closely with ImagineBetter throughout the transition.