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Different Family Governance Models
Family governance models
Family governance can help you have more choice and control when it comes to your support services. There are different types of family governance models, but they can broadly be divided into two categories:
Family governance models that support an individual.
Family governance models that involve multiple families coming together.
Remember
You need self-directed funding to make family governance work. You can apply for self-directed funding by contacting your local NASC.
Individual Support Arrangement
You design, deliver and manage the supports.
You obtain a personal budget, or individualised funding.
You employ your own staff directly or employ someone or an agency to do this and other administrative tasks.
Incorporated Agency, Hosted Arrangement
You approach an existing agency to deliver your supports, however you get to have a say in what that looks like.
You maintain all decision making authority. No decisions can be made without your consent.
You are in charge of some things and the agency is in charge of others. You create an agreement that defines who is in charge of what.
Typically, the agency takes care of most of the administrative tasks – e.g. hiring and paying people.
The service delivered to you operates independently from how the agency runs its other services.
This arrangement can be dissolved by either party, should they no longer want it to continue.
Agency Hosted, Collectively Governed Support Arrangements
This option involves multiple families, but is still hosted by an agency.
The families come together as a collective and create a governance board.
The families in the collective have a hosting agreement with the agency. As a result of this, it comes under its legal structure.
The families discuss with the agency about the kind of services them/their children will receive and what these will look like.
Services are organised by the agency. Families don’t need to worry about admin.
​Services are provided and tailored for each individual member.
This option can be quite complicated to set up, but once it is set up it is easy to oversee.
Families need to be very proactive and provide considerable leadership to bring this into existence
The Member Directed Mini Agency
Individuals, families and whanau come together to establish a mini agency.
Each member has a unique service planned and designed to meet their needs.
Each member might have different levels of funding, because they need different levels of support.
Each member and their family are in charge of their own service arrangement.
Members contribute a management fee to employ a coordinator or manager. This is an additional cost.
Size is limited so the members have more influence.
The mini agency is responsible for the usual reporting requirements. For example, audits, periodic reporting, adherence to agreements and so on.
Mini agencies tend to last the lifespan of the individuals involved.
Micro Boards
Supports one person at a time.
The service is legally incorporated to hold and administer funds.
Micro boards act as a trustee of the funding.
The Micro Board manages the funding and pays for the individualised supports.
Usually made up of 5-7 family members, friends, and volunteers.
Operates under the belief that the person with impairment has the capacity to make their own decisions.
Demonstrates regard for the person’s safety, comfort, and dignity.
Support the person to have choice and control.
May support in succession planning.
Getting started with family governance
Need help getting started with family governance? Contact us and we can help you get started with a family governance model that’s right for you and your family.
