Media Release by The Hon Jane Prentice MP

$75 million for NDIS in QLD

Five local service providers will share in $75 million of funding to deliver Local Area Coordination (LAC) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) services in Queensland to support the rollout of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from 2017.

Carers Queensland Inc., Feros Care and Indigenous Wellbeing Centre have been announced as the successful LAC partners in Toowoomba, Ipswich, Mackay, Townsville and Bundaberg. LAC services focus on participant capacity building, including plan development, implementation and review.

EACH and BushKids have been announced as the successful ECEI partners in Ipswich and Bundaberg. UnitingCare Community will continue as the ECEI partner in Townsville and Charters Towers and will extend as the ECEI partner in Mackay and Toowoomba. ECEI services deliver outcomes for children and their families through best-practice and family-centred approaches.

The Hon Jane Prentice, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, congratulated the successful grant recipients and recognised the importance their local expertise and experience would have in supporting people with disability in their community.

“These organisations have invaluable community connections and knowledge which is why they have been selected to work closely with the National Disability Insurance Agency in delivering this world-leading Scheme,” she said.

“This is a significant investment for Queensland and will ensure participants are well supported in their transition to the NDIS.”

The Partners in the Community Program provides funding for community organisations to partner with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to help deliver the NDIS across the country.

The NDIS will provide 460,000 Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.

Information about the Partners in the Community Program, including future grant rounds, is available at www.ndis.gov.au.