May 2008

Biggest investment in disability services

Victorians with a disability will benefit from the single biggest investment in state history in disability services.

Minister for Community Services Lisa Neville said the landmark $233.4 million 2008–09 State Budget package focused on improving access to accommodation, the support needs of people with a disability, expanding and reforming respite services, more aids and equipment and greater access to individual support packages.

Key initiatives announced as part of the historic funding package include:

•           $50 million to replace outdated, shared, supported accommodation with 38 new homes through the Disability Housing Trust;

•           $70.6 million over four years for 340 additional individual support packages for people with a disability. Packages provide access to a range of support programs, such as day programs, in-home help, treatment and transport;

•           $17.6 million over four years to better tailor support to the needs of people with a disability and their carers through better service planning;

•           $12.5 million over four years to deliver flexible respite that is responsive to individual families’ needs and based on individual planning with families;

•           $2.5 million over four years to introduce a reward card giving primary carers discounts at a range of government and community venues, activities and services;

•           $1 million over two years to establish a centralised respite booking and information service;

•           $1.2 million for further consultation and planning for the future of the residents of the Colanda Centre in Colac;

•           $10 million over four years to support eligible young people to develop job skills and achieve sustainable and long-term employment with programs delivered through Day Training Centres for people with disabilities;

•           $4.2 million over four years to address the increasing demand for slow-to-recover acquired brain injury programs and provide additional ongoing capacity for the programs. This is on top of recent announcements for this program, such as the $12 million Acquired Brain Injury: Slow to Recover program at Southern Health;

•           $5 million to boost the assistance provided to the frail aged, and people with disabilities or chronic illness, by the Aids and Equipment Program.

Ms Neville said the Government would invest a further $10 million in the my future my choice program, which will deliver new community-based houses for 43 young people with disabilities currently living in nursing homes.

Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand said that on top of the Government’s $23.9 million over four years for 1,000 extra Early Childhood Intervention Services packages for young children with a disability, a further $5.1 million would be invested in the early childhood workforce to provide support for children with a disability to participate in kindergarten.

The package also includes $8.4 million over four years to establish Disability Action Plans in more public sector and community organisations, improve the Disability OnLine information service and to implement a community awareness campaign to promote community participation by people with a disability.

Ms Neville said non-government organisations would also benefit from the Budget, with the Government providing additional funding in line with increased demand and cost pressures, including:

•           $37.4 million over four years to help non-government organisations meet the additional costs associated with the provision of attendant care and related in-home support services;

•           $3 million to assist the disability service providers to offer people with a disability more choice of day-time activities within their local communities.