A LOCAL disability service has received a funding boost to ensure a smooth transition during the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall announced the funding allocation yesterday with city service Care for Children with Disability.
“I have announced $35,000 for the service here to help them transition into the NDIS,” Mr Marshall said.
“This funding is under the Transition Assistance Program which will ensure providers are ready for the change and help them plan for the future and will also support the growth of a vibrant and diverse disability services sector in our region.
“Even though the NDIS is a federal initiative, we at a state level recognise that it an be quite difficult for disability providers to transition.
“It is challenge, particularly for the smaller organisations, so this money is to support them.”
The National Disability Insurance Scheme will aim to give people living with a disability and their carer’s more options in choosing their services.
“It can be quite intimidating for people with disabilities or their carers because they have never had this kind of choice before but the NDIS is about empowerment,” Mr Marshall said.
“And this particular service will be able to venture out into our community and market what they can offer to people with a disability.”
Care for Children with Disability is one of six successful applicants in the Northern Tablelands to be awarded the funding.
Service manager Rob Richardson said the organisation was beyond thrilled with the success of their Transition Assistance Program application.
“We are what is described as a micro-organisation, specialising in providing person centred in-home and out of home respite care,” Mr Richardson said.
“Among other things, we plan to develop an organisation website, something we have long wanted, and we also would like to source appropriate staff and management committee training around NDIS requirements.”
The service manager thanked the NSW state government for approving the centre’s application.
“These services are very important in our community because often people with disabilities miss out on leading as normal lives as possible,” Mr Richardson said.
“And that’s what the new National Disability Insurance Scheme is about ... enabling those people to participate in the community as much as they can.
“It gives all families more choice and flexibility.
“This will be of great help for us as we move into the world of the NDIS.”
