MIFA Conference Townsville

The MIFA Network convened in Townsville for the July 2023 Biannual Conference, hosted by MIFA’s Queensland-based member organisation, selectability. The agenda across the three-day conference was jampacked.

MIFA Member CEOs had an opportunity to meet ahead of the formal conference delegation to discuss the provision of outcomes-focussed and quality services in the NDIS. Conference delegates were invited to visit a range of sites across the selectability footprint, showcasing selectability’s diverse and innovative service offering, and providing a valuable opportunity to meet some of the people benefiting from local services.

On day one of the conference, MIFA Members shared their year in review and their aspirations for the year ahead. We then welcomed external delegates from the Commonwealth government, the NDIA, the NDIS Review Panel, Queensland Health, national and state mental health peak bodies and lived experience peak bodies and leaders to join us for a Psychosocial Support Roundtable. We workshopped solutions to closing the gap in psychosocial support services both within and outside of the NDIS through Tier 2 supports. These solutions will be considered as part of MIFA’s upcoming submission to the NDIS Review Panel.

To end day one, we joined with all conference guests for a celebratory conference dinner, where the steadfast advocacy continued over drinks and a banquet dinner.

On day two, we facilitated a workshop on operational issues within the NDIS, joined by Dr Gerry Naughtin from the NDIA. We discussed issues pertinent to the current NDIS Review process and shared ideas and solutions to the problems NDIS participants and service providers face in providing psychosocial support services in the NDIS.

We thank all of our MIFA Network and special guests for your ongoing support, contributions and creativity, and a special thanks to our hosts selectability for the incredible generosity and hospitality.