Thriving Kids NSW - May 2026 EOI Deadline:
Webinar & Co-Working Session for Private PractitionersÂ
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Presented by Chantelle Robards & Dave Jereb Â
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Free Practical Online Workshop for NSW Allied Health ProvidersÂ
Tuesday 19th May 2026 at 7pm AEST (Sydney time)
Register Now!The NSW Government has commissioned the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to begin the rollout of Thriving Kids in NSW. As part of this process, DCJ has released an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, which closes on May 29, 2026.
Occupational Therapy Australia has publicly encouraged private practitioners to:
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Submit an EOI, and
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contact their federal and state government representatives.
For many providers, the process feels overwhelming, unclear, and time-sensitive.
This free workshop has been designed to help you understand the landscape, navigate the EOI process, and take practical action with support.
As part of our mission to support the people who support the kids, this session is being offered free to the allied health community.
What We'll Cover
Part 1 - Understanding the Landscape (20-30 min)
Dave Jereb and Chantelle Robards will provide:
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an overview of the current Thriving Kids landscape,
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what was announced last week,
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what the EOI process appears to mean for private practitioners,
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and key considerations for allied health businesses moving forward.
Part 2 - Guided Action Workshop (60-90 min)
This practical co-working session will guide you through:
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completing the Thriving Kids EOI,
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using AI prompts to individualise your responses,
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identifying the state and federal representatives relevant to you, your business, and the families you support,
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and preparing emails to advocate for private practitioners and the families we support.
By the End of the Session You Will:
- Have a clearer understanding of the current Thriving Kids landscape
- Understand the purpose and structure of the EOI process
- Have practical tools and AI prompts to support your responses
- Have completed or substantially completed your EOI
- Have drafted emails to your state and federal representatives
Presented By:Â
Chantelle Robards
Red Frog for Families
The Accidental Advocate
Chantelle Robards is Head of Operations at Red Frog for Families, speech pathologist, and founder of The Accidental Advocate. She has a long history of supporting the NDIS marketplace through technical guidance, advocacy, and practical support for allied health providers navigating reform and uncertainty.
Having worked closely with providers since the earliest NDIS trial days in the Hunter region of NSW, Chantelle brings deep insight into the realities facing private practitioners, allied health businesses, and families within the evolving disability landscape. Alongside her leadership and advocacy work, she continues to maintain a small clinical caseload, grounding her work in the day-to-day realities of practice.
Chantelle is widely recognised for helping providers interpret complex reforms, understand policy implications, and respond strategically while maintaining a strong focus on ethical, sustainable, and high-quality support for Australians accessing disability services.
Dave Jereb
MoveAbout Therapy Services
Practice Leadership Circle
Dave Jereb is a paediatric occupational therapist, author, speaker, and co-founder of MoveAbout Therapy Services. With over 24 years of clinical experience and 18 years leading a multi-clinic practice across NSW, Dave is known for his work supporting allied health professionals to build authentic confidence, reduce burnout, and sustain meaningful careers in allied health.
He is the creator of the 3S Framework for Supported Self-Development and the ABC-IDEAS Framework for Behaviour Support, and author of Challenging the Story: A Surprisingly Simple Approach to Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviours. He also developed the Challenging the Story of Behaviour course to support parents and professionals to better understand and respond to challenging behaviour.
Dave provides mentoring and coaching to clinicians and leaders through the Practice Leadership Circle, and delivers training to teams across Australia on workplace culture, sustainable performance, and protecting against burnout, creating meaning, connection, and energy in work.
Dave is the recipient of the 2026 Occupational Therapy Australia Oration Award and will deliver the keynote at OT Exchange 2026.
His work centres on a simple principle: we support the people who support the kids.
About MoveAbout
Therapy Services
 MoveAbout Therapy Services is a paediatric occupational therapy organisation with clinics across NSW. For over 18 years, MoveAbout has supported children, families, schools, and allied health professionals through occupational therapy, training, mentoring, and professional development.
MoveAbout is guided by a simple principle: we support the people who support the kids.
https://www.moveabout.com.au/
About Red Frog
for Families
 Red Frog for Families is a multidisciplinary childhood development organisation supporting children, young people, and families through a range of therapies, social programs, and community supports.
Their team provides occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology, music therapy, community access, and support programs designed to help children and young people participate safely, confidently, and meaningfully in their communities.
https://rf4f.com.au/
