Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced grant funding of $243,800 to help deliver services to Aboriginal people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the Cootamundra electorate.
Ms Cooke said Education Services International Supply Group had secured a grant under the Making It Our Business program to deliver culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal people with disability in an area which includes Coolamon, Narrandera, Cootamundra, Gundagai, Junee and Temora.
“We’re backing NSW businesses with grants and mentoring to help them scale-up and deliver new services for the NDIS and we want more Aboriginal businesses involved,” Ms Cooke said.
“It’s vitally important Aboriginal businesses participate as they are best placed to deliver culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal people with disability.
“The grant funding will help Education Services International Supply Group establish the ‘Deadly Engagement’ program which will provide one-on-one support for Aboriginal young people with a disability in their transition from school to work or further education.
“This is a service that will have a focus on Aboriginal culture and will be able to reach out in a culturally appropriate way to help everyone achieve their maximum potential,” Ms Cooke added.
Educational Services International director Bernadette Jones said the organisation would also use the funds to assist Aboriginal people with disability to engage in community education or work.
“We will focus on each individual’s NDIS needs and wrap support and services around them,” she said.
“We aim to ensure that each Aboriginal client has the best opportunity to succeed in learning, in connecting socially with their communities, and in work and life in general.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills John Barilaro said the Making It Our Business program is part of the $19 million Disability Sector Scale Up (DSSU) which is designed to help businesses and communities maximise benefits from the NDIS rollout.
“The NDIS has the potential to double the size of the disability support sector in NSW from around $3.4 billion to $6.8 billion over the coming years,” he said.
