FUNDING BOOST FOR LOCAL DISABILITY SERVICES
Member for Pascoe Vale, Christine Campbell, announced that Carinya Society in Coburg would receive a $52,000 boost for disability day services from the Brumby Government, which would allow local agencies to provide better support for disabled people in the community.
Carinya clients come from Moreland, Hume and Moonee Valley. John Airey from Carinya commented “This money gives the society the ability to further the skills and choice of our people. That is paramount.”
Ms Campbell said the boost was part of an $824,000 funding package under the Changing Days program and would support local agencies across the state.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to support local people with a disability,” Ms Campbell said
“The Changing Days program provides funding to assist organisations to re-think how day services are offered to people with a disability.”
“The Government and agencies are now focused on service approaches that support people to be actively engaged with their community and give people with a disability, their families and carers active decision making around how they are supported.”
“This means our service agencies need to be more flexible in how they structure their programs and the additional funding will help them to do this.”
Day programs provide people with a disability with the opportunity to participate in activities that meet their individual needs and enhance their independence, abilities, participation in the community and quality of life.
Community Services Minister Lisa Neville said the Brumby Government funded 168 organisations across Victoria to deliver day services to over 8000 people with a disability. The services are delivered largely in group-based settings.
“The Brumby Government is supporting people with a disability to have more choice and access to better services to improve their quality of life,” Ms Neville said.
For further comment contact Christine Campbell or John Airey at Carinya Society.