Community organisations can apply for funding to support local areas transition to the NDIS. The initiative comes under the ‘Agency’s Partners in the Community Program’ announced recently by Assistant Minister for Social and Disability Services, Jane Prentice, who said the program was based on utilising capacity in the community, rather than replacing it. “We are looking for community partners to work with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to deliver Local Area Coordination (LAC) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) in the ACT, as well as areas in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria that are scheduled to transition to the NDIS in 2017,” the minister said.
The LAC service will focus on participation capacity building, plan development, implementation and review, while ECEI is designed to deliver best-practice and family-centred approaches for children and their families. This new round of commissioning builds on earlier LAC arrangements that commenced in July 2016 in New South Wales, Tasmania and parts of Victoria and signals the NDIA’s intention to maintain a rolling program of building partner arrangements. Finalisation of ECEI services in the initial locations will be announced at a later date. The grant closes on September 8.
For more information visit: www.ndis.gov.au
Earlier this month Assistant Minister Prentice (pictured) handed out a Telstra Business Award to Northern Territory disability employer, Helping People Achieve (HPA). It is the first time that a not for profit organisation has won an overall business award in any state or territory. HPA has been supporting people with disability for more than 50 years and employs over 70 people with disability. It contracts with other businesses and organisations to provide packaging, assembly, recycling, garden maintenance, cleaning and food services. It also provides residential support to about 40 people.