Welcome to the ‘new look’ DS NMDS newsletter, which aims to provide feedback from the HelpLine staff (Lynda MacKenzie, David Crimmins and Carolyn Webber) to DS NMDS-funded agencies. Over the coming months we will use this newsletter as one method to try to help agencies meet their reporting requirements under the new Commonwealth-State/Territory Disability Agreement (DS NMDS).
It is important that we all get this right because NMDS data collected by DSQ,from DS NMDS-funded agencies, will form the basis of future funding of services which support people with disabilities in Queensland.
Table of contents:
Important dates and useful tips
Important dates for Jan-Mar 2003 quarter
- 1 Jan–31 Mar 2003 - The quarterly reporting period
- 25–31 Mar 2003 - The reference week in the quarter
- 1–30 Apr 2003 - Send clean data transmission to DSQ. It is due by the end of the month.
Did your agency receive any funding from DSQ in 2002-03?
- YES – Then you need to report
DS NMDS data to DSQ. - NO – Are you sure? Even a small one-off grant needs to be reported.
Contact the HelpLine if you’re unsure.
Some useful tips from the Oct-Dec 2002 quarter
- Collect and record data regularly (daily/weekly), don’t leave it to the last minute. Develop spreadsheets and work practises that give you the information you need!
- Service types and service type outlets are tricky to determine ... call the HelpLine if you want some help or need to make changes.
- Train staff – if more training is needed, ask us about our new self-paced learning package!
- Deadlines! Let’s meet them – get your information in by the due date … our timeframes are tight. Late returns affect DSQ’s ability to meet national reporting deadlines.
- Accurate information – never fudge it – your data informs planning … it will shape future services and future budgets – which leads to better services.
- Network to find out how you can collect data better!
- Multiple services received – make sure you report all services (service types) received by a service user during the quarter.
- Don’t forget your Data Guide … you need this to provide accurate information – check your Definitions.
- Send in your transmission – wait for validation (the Range and Logic Check Reports) – make corrections – resubmit to DSQ – wait for confirmation that data is clean – begin new quarter.
Need help?
Please contact DS NMDS HelpLine.
Phone: 1800 011 102 8.30am-4.30pm (Mon-Fri)
E-mail: cstdanmdshelp@disability.qld.gov.au
Frequently asked questions
Q. Will the HelpLine service continue? The Data Guide (p5) said it would operate for the first six months of the collection.
DSQ will continue to provide DS NMDS HelpLine support while there is a need for it. Between Oct 2002 and Mar 2003 the HelpLine received approx 1,350
queries – an average of 270 a month or 60 a week. More than 95% of queries were
received by phone, the rest by e-mail.
Approx 45% of queries were about software, 30% were about data items and
approx 20% were administrative issues including querying DSQ coded service types and service type outlets.
Q. My agency (or service type outlet) is no longer funded by DSQ (or received one-off funding or has now closed). Do I have to report DS NMDS data?
If your agency (or service type outlet) received any DS NMDS funding during 2002-
03, you still need to report against the NMDS for each quarter in which you were
funded/operating.For example, if your agency/outlet operated during 2002-03 until it closed in Feb 2003, you need to report NMDS data for both the Oct-Dec 2002 quarter and the Jan- Mar 2003 quarter. A special case may be if your agency/outlet stopped receiving funding in Jul, Aug or Sep 2002 – call the HelpLine. Even though the new DS NMDS collection started in Oct 2002, it is still necessary for these agencies to report some information to DSQ to acquit against the DS NMDS funding received in 2002-03. right.
Q. When will DSQ release regional reports of NMDS data?
When the DS NMDS team has received data from all DS NMDS-funded agencies for the Oct-Dec quarter, we will be able to produce aggregated reports and release data back to agencies. Noncompliance with the reporting timeframe is delaying DSQ’s ability to produce meaningful State-wide and regional reports.
Some level of reporting should be available, on the Website or from the HelpLine, by Jun 2003. A News Item will notify agencies.
Q. Will QDT be upgraded to include a reporting function? This would be very useful.
Yes, DSQ is arranging for this to happen in two stages. The first stage, an add-on reporting facility, is currently available. It can be sent to agencies upon request – please email or phone the HelpLine if you want this functionality now.
Agencies will need to load the additional software and link it to their current software version. The second stage will include upgrading QDT with a reporting function as well as with other improvements to take the collection into 2003-04. Agencies should expect to receive the new software in Jul 2003.
Self-paced Training
The self-paced learning package is now available from the DSQ Website or from the HelpLine.
• It is aimed at assisting agencies to be familiar with the changes to the DS NMDS data collection.
• The effects of staff turnover has been a big issue raised by agencies. This package will help bring staff up to speed with the why, what, who, how and when of the DS NMDS.
DSQ are in the process of contacting all agencies that have not yet reported data for Oct-Dec. While we acknowledge set-up difficulties with the new collection, DSQ
needs to ensure agencies meet their deadlines to enable national Commonwealth reporting deadlines to be met. Every agency and service user should be clear about the effect of reporting on future funding for Queensland and recognise that non-reporting is not a valid option. Expect to be followed-up by DSQ if you are late, contact the HelpLine if you need help and work towards pro-actively meeting your future DS NMDS deadlines. It is important that we all get this right.
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