Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, and NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally today announced an extra $4.66 million in funding for improved support and access for the elderly and younger people with a disability in New South Wales.
Total funding allocated for the Home and Community Care program in New South Wales in 2007-08 is $509.9 million. This includes real growth funding of close to $19 million.
The projects funded in today’s package focus on centre-based day care, personal care, ‘help at home’ and social support – as well as on people with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Mrs Elliot said the Home and Community Care Program assisted more than 210,000 people in New South Wales last financial year.
This assistance is possible through the Home and Community Care program – which funds more than 1400 service providers offering community care across New South Wales.
"These services range from day-care and respite care - through to home modifications and help with transport.
"This increase in funding means more people will now have access to these services," Mrs Elliot said.
Mrs Elliot said the additional funding would be used in areas of large and growing demand. The main components are:
• Additional funding for centre-based day-care services for Sutherland, Rockdale, Kogarah and Hurstville local government areas;
• Transport services for the Gosford local government area; and
• Counselling, support, information and advocacy services in the Auburn, Holroyd, Parramatta, Baulkham Hills and Blacktown local government areas. These services are targeted toward people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
"Through these projects we are aiming to help the frail, aged and younger people with a disability live as independently as possible in their own homes," Mrs Elliot said.
Ms Keneally said this program is a good example of the continuing co-operation between the Australian and New South Wales Governments.
"This joint agreement will deliver frail, elderly and younger people with a disability in New South Wales a variety of services so they can remain in their homes," Ms Keneally said.
"The increase in funding will help the elderly and younger people with a disability maintain their independence and continue to live within their community – as many wish to do.
"Without Home and Community Care services many would have to move prematurely into residential care.
"This program also provides important respite care – giving carers a much needed break."
The Home and Community Care program is a jointly-funded Australian Government and state and territory government initiative and a key element in the Australian Government’s community care policy.
Home and Community Care Facts
In 2007-08 the Home and Community Care program received $1.652 billion nationally, $1.006 billion of this contributed by the Australian Government.
New South Wales alone received a joint contribution of $509.928 million, of which $305.192 million was contributed by the Australian Government and $204.736 million was contributed by the New South Wales Government.
In 2006-07, around 801,000 people across Australia received Home and Community Care services.