Source: Office of the Hon. Lisa Neville, Victorian Minister for Community Services

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Victoria's biggest investment in disability services

From the MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

06/05/2008

Victoria's biggest investment in disability services

Victorians with a disability will benefit from the single biggest investment in Victorian history in disability services, announced today in the Brumby Labor Government’s 2008-09 State Budget.

The Minister for Community Services, Lisa Neville, said the landmark $233.4 million 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.

“Over the past nine years disability services have improved with increased funding, but there is always more to do. The Brumby Labor Government understands Victorians with a disability, their families and carers need greater support – and we are delivering,” Ms Neville said.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to give Victorians with a disability the support they need, ease the pressures on their families and carers, and assist community organisations to help people with a disability to participate in the wider community.”

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• $50 million to replace outdated, shared, supported accommodation with 38 new homes through the Disability Housing Trust;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; and
• $5 million in 2007-08 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 Brumby Labor 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 Brumby Labor Government’s $23.9 million over four years for 1000 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.

“This investment is crucial for those families raising children with a disability and it will help them to ensure their children get the best start in life,” Ms Morand said.

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

Ms Neville said that the 2008-09 Brumby Labor Government State Budget boost built on the 87 per cent increase in the disability services budget since 1999-2000.

“Our Government has introduced important initiatives aimed at giving a better quality of life to Victorians with disabilities, including the Slow-to-Recover program providing specialised treatment for people with acquired brain injury, and the my future my choice program, which has provided suitable accommodation for 130 young Victorians with disabilities who were living in, or at risk of going into, aged care facilities,” Ms Neville said.