Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s announcement that up to $26 million is available for disability advocacy services until 2020.
The funding will support people with disability to access these services during the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and in the early stages of the full Scheme.
Ms Cooke said the announcement is great news for local people with disability.
“I’m proud to be part of a Government that listens and responds to community needs,” she said.
Existing disability advocacy non-government organisations funded by the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) will be invited to apply.
“The NSW Government is committed to successfully transitioning services to the NDIS and ensuring people with disability are at the centre of choosing their supports.”
A key focus of the NSW funding will be on activities that support inclusion of people with disability in their communities.
Minister for Disability Services, Ray Williams, said NSW is leading the way in delivering the NDIS.
“This is the largest social reform since Medicare and it’s important we get it right for people with disability,” Mr Williams said.
“We will continue to work with the Commonwealth Government to ensure the NDIS is successful and sustainable in NSW.”
More than 84,000 people with disability in NSW are currently accessing the NDIS in NSW. For further information on the Transitional Advocacy Funding Supplement process, providers can contact FACS on 02 9377 6016 or ADHC-QualityTeam@facs.nsw.gov.au.
