Page 2628 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 7 August 2013
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The ACT NDIS task force and the team of individual planners have attended numerous network meetings, community groups and service provider forums to promote the grants and to educate individuals and providers on the enhanced service offer and the future of DisabilityCare. In addition 120 workers from government and community services, including therapists and teachers, have attended sessions targeted at health and disability workers. Five community information sessions have been held across Canberra and were attended by 450 potential applicants and their families. Furthermore, 18 workshops were attended by 32 people who did not have access to a computer and needed a hand in completing and submitting their applications.
Individual planners are available to answer questions from applicants or service providers via telephone or email. The individual planners hold regular weekly sessions at various outreach sites, including Winnunga, Rainbow and Carers ACT, and meet with potential applicants on an individual basis. The individual planners have met with several hundred people to provide them with assistance or information about the enhanced service offer grants. This shows the government’s determination to get this, the first part of DisabilityCare, right. It is a significant change for all those involved and it will dramatically improve the lives of many Canberrans.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, how many clients will have the ability to access an ESO through the grants round?
MS BURCH: Any resident who meets the eligibility criteria can apply for an enhanced service offer grant. The eligible population could be up to 5,000 Canberrans, which is the projected number of ACT residents eligible for DisabilityCare. The actual number to receive a grant will depend on the number and the nature of requests and the recommendations of the assessing panel.
Eligible ACT residents with disabilities, including those with psycho-social disabilities, are able to apply for one-off grants that may be used in a variety of ways to improve their quality of life. These grants may be for aids and equipment or for other services that reduce the impact of their disability, improve independence and increase participation in community activity.
The second round of grants will commence in September, providing an opportunity for those who have missed out in the first round. We know from our highly successful quality of life grants that people can make improvements to their independence if they have control over the support that they need.
DisabilityCare represents the biggest change to how people with disability and psycho-social disabilities access support and services. One of the greatest challenges is to prepare for the change to the way funds are provided. These grants offer an opportunity for people to start thinking about what makes a good life. They provide opportunities for the community sector to start gearing up to provide services and supports differently.
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