What is a NASC (Needs Assessment Services Coordination)?

NASCs are organisations or agencies contracted by the Ministry of Health (MoH) or District Health Boards (DHBs) to serve:

• people with disabilities,
• people with mental health issues, and
• older people needing age-related support.

NASCs generally specialise in only one of these areas. Each part of New Zealand may have several NASC services. There are 15 younger people's NASCs and 21 older people's NASCs based throughout New Zealand.

NASCs work with you and your family/whanau to determine your abilities, resources, goals and needs. They help you identify which of these are most important and will work with you to plan what supports or services are available to help meet your goals and needs. This includes ‘natural supports' such as family, whanau, aiga and community services.

The NASC will work out

• what services or supports you are eligible for, and
• which of these supports and services funding is eligible for.

The NASC then helps get these services and supports started for you.  If funded services are needed, they will be provided by NASCA contracted organisations or you may opt for individualised funding.

Purpose of a NASC

NASCs aim to maximize and support the abilities of disabled, older people and people needing support for mental health related issues.

NASCs key roles and responsibilities?

NASCs are generally required to undertake three things:

1. Assessing what your needs are.
2. Planning and co-ordinating services to meet your needs.

3. Allocating resources for you, within a defined budget.

Guiding principles

NASCs work is guided by the principles outlined in the following strategies and plans.

• New Zealand Disability Strategy
• Maori Disability Action Plan (He Ratonga Tautoko I Te Hunga Haua)
• Pacific Health and Disability Plan
• Older Persons Strategy

• Positive Aging Strategy

Who is eligible?

People of all ages who meet the MoH or DHB disability definitions are eligible for NASC services.

Ministry of Health NASC

The MoH NASC provides services for people under 65, who meet the definition of disability.

If you:
•   Have a physical, intellectual or sensory disability (or a combination of these).
•   Have a disability that is likely to continue for a minimum of six months.
•   Have a disability that reduces your independent function.
•   Have a disability that requires ongoing support.

District Health Board NASCs

The DHB NASCs provide services for people over 65 or younger people with an age related illness/impairment and medical conditions.

DHBs also have NASCs for people with mental health related support needs.

NASC process

1. Referral
2. Needs assessment
3. Service co-ordination
4. Review or reassessment

Referral

You can refer yourself to your NASC or, following approval from you, another person, health professional or organisation can make the referral for you.

The NASC will check that you meet the eligibility criteria. They will then make an appointment to meet you and with any family, whanau, aiga or carer you would like to have with you.

If you do not meet the eligibility requirement the NASC will help you find other services that may be able to assist.

Needs assessment

The needs assessment helps determine your abilities, goals and needs and what resources you have. It then helps you to identify which of these are the most important.

NASCs will usually carry out the needs assessment in your home. You are welcome to have anyone else you choose at the assessment. The assessment information is recorded and a copy provided to you.

Service co-ordination and resource management

Service co-ordination works with you to plan what supports or services are available to help meet your goals and needs. This includes ‘natural supports' such as, family, whanau, aiga and community services.

At this stage of the process NASCs implement the support package that you have established together with your family and the NASC.

The NASC needs to ensure that the supports and services allocated to you are fair, and fit within the defined support services budget.

Review

The NASC reviews your support package annually or sooner if your needs or circumstances change and you alert them to this.

Find a NASC agency?

Please contact your local NASC if you require an assessment.
Contact details for NASCs

Contact details for your local Under 65 NASC may also be found via a Disability Resource Centre, or online at www.moh.govt.nz/disability 

To contact an Older Persons NASC, phone your local DHB in the white pages, or online at www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/dhb-members