State Government announces $1 million to support 1,000 children with a disability
1,000 Queensland children with a disability will benefit from a new $1 million State Government early intervention initiative.
Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk today said community organisations from Innisfail to Ipswich would share in the funding.
Ms Palaszczuk said the funding boost would deliver extra early intervention support for families in Innisfail, Bowen, Rockhampton, Gympie, the Darling Downs, Ipswich and Moreton.
"Children and their families in Brisbane, Logan, Redlands and the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coasts will also benefit," she said.
"These extra funds will deliver more early intervention services and supports for around 1,000 children with a disability right across Queensland.
"Early intervention is important to so many Queensland families, and it's one of my top priorities as Minister.
"Early intervention works - I've seen with my own eyes the way it can change the course of a young person's life. It also help families to build a brighter future."
Ms Palaszczuk said the Building Family Capacity Initiative would target children aged up to 18 and their families.
"It will help to link families to training, education and social opportunities," she said.
"Programs will include after school play groups, sport activities and autism workshops.
"It's about helping families access support networks to help their children grow and prosper."
Ms Palaszczuk said the organisations to receive funding through the initiative are:
• Centacare - $374,450
• FSG Australia - $154,750
• Family Planning Queensland - $140,000
• Ipswich Community Youth Services - $89,000
• Autism Queensland - $82,898
• Lifeline Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland - $70,467
• Bowen Flexi Care - $52,183
• Innisfail District Flexi Respite Assistance - $36,252
Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
17/02/2011
State Government announces $1 million to support 1,000 children with a disability
Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk today said community organisations from Innisfail to Ipswich would share in the funding.
Ms Palaszczuk said the funding boost would deliver extra early intervention support for families in Innisfail, Bowen, Rockhampton, Gympie, the Darling Downs, Ipswich and Moreton.
"Children and their families in Brisbane, Logan, Redlands and the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coasts will also benefit," she said.
"These extra funds will deliver more early intervention services and supports for around 1,000 children with a disability right across Queensland.
"Early intervention is important to so many Queensland families, and it's one of my top priorities as Minister.
"Early intervention works - I've seen with my own eyes the way it can change the course of a young person's life. It also help families to build a brighter future."
Ms Palaszczuk said the Building Family Capacity Initiative would target children aged up to 18 and their families.
"It will help to link families to training, education and social opportunities," she said.
"Programs will include after school play groups, sport activities and autism workshops.
"It's about helping families access support networks to help their children grow and prosper."
Ms Palaszczuk said the organisations to receive funding through the initiative are:
• Centacare - $374,450
• FSG Australia - $154,750
• Family Planning Queensland - $140,000
• Ipswich Community Youth Services - $89,000
• Autism Queensland - $82,898
• Lifeline Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland - $70,467
• Bowen Flexi Care - $52,183
• Innisfail District Flexi Respite Assistance - $36,252
Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
17/02/2011
State Government announces $1 million to support 1,000 children with a disability
Yeah it all sounds really promising doesn't it. But we live in the real world.
Maybe instead of putting another 1 million into Early Intervention, which already has $6,000 available for children up to the age of 7 years old, the Government...if it was really focused on helping Qld families, should be investing in funding for children over the cut off age from HCWA.
Don't get me wrong, the government funded Help Children With Autism Package is a wonderful support to families with children on the Spectrum, but as I am nearing a phase with my youngest of the funding cutting off, I am faced with the harsh reality of the lack of support for families. Families which has no doubt been struggling with this for years before me. Just recently the Department of Disability Qld rang to confirm that they had received my application for support and that under new directives, everyone who lodges an application will now be entitled to a needs based assessment. My assessment date is May. That is over 2 months away. These needs based assessments will determine whether or not you qualify for funding. So does this imply that my child who suffers Autism will be compared to a child with a physical or intellectual disability, depending on needs? If so, I can almost guarantee, those children with more severe disabilities, of course require more support, but that is not for any Department to say that my child's needs are not valid . I am very thankful that my children do not require wheel chairs or feeding tubes but it is ridiculous for the Department of Disability to even place them in the same category. Those children who do have extremely severe needs, should not even have to be assessed on "needs".... the funding should just be given to them, purely for the way they have to live. A no brainier situation there.So if Ms Anna Palaszczuk was really informed and focused on helping those with disabilities she would stop wasting money on websites and play groups. "My Time" and " Positive Partnerships" offer a lot of support and information for parents and setting up play groups for those under 6 years. Those two organisations are doing a great job, filling a required need of informing families. What Queensland families need is more funding for therapy. Therapy that will help improve their child's quality of life. It is inhumane to say to families... I am sorry but your child has turned 7 years old so now they can no longer receive the funds they require to continue their therapy. In my personal situation, we have only benefited from the end of the HCWA funding.. that is when it was implemented. My son was 5 yrs old then so he really only got 2 years out of it. Now I know I am lucky just to have that 2 years. Some parents couldn't even get that. But his funding has been paying for R.D.I therapy. R.D.I therapy has a philosophy of improving quality of life. It is not a short-term fix, not a band-aide. That is how I know, what we are doing with my son will change his overall life. It takes time to reteach all the development phases that he did not have at birth. So where do I stand now knowing there is no way to fund this therapy.... we'll I guess I have two choices.
Firstly I can abandon his therapy, which undoubtedly will greatly affect my child's chances of having quality therapy or I can find another way to source the funding. I know that the Department of Disability or Government sectors will not help my family, nor will other financially responsible parties. So, I guess it is all up to me.
I need to consider.... Do I try and go back to work to pay for R.D.I while at the same time, support my children at school and with all their specialised therapies ?... that will require a lot of time off. Would you employ someone under those circumstances?
Or, do I work and stop all therapies for my older son? Hmmmm, harsh thought really. I still couldn't really do RDI or support the younger son at school. Besides why should my older son have his needs denied just because he is older. Both boys would also would require before school and after school care if I choose to work. With my youngest sons diagnosis, this care would need to be specialised before/after school care. Of course then, I need to consider my role as a sole parent, with 100% care, while working full time? I can honestly say I could not do it without more help.
For anyone who has no choice but to do this level of care.... you are the most admirable and amazing people.
I suppose my other choice is to stay on the disability pension, and through the help of family and friends try to find ways of funding the "life-long" supports my boys will need. That is a massive responsibility on my family's finances. They may not be able to help! and really why should they have to step up.... to fill in the gaps that Government and Child Support regulations leave.
I'm not sure which path I will choose and I don't know where my future lies here.
What I am sure of is this. Minister Jenny Macklin, Minister Anna Palaszczuk and Senator Jan McLucas, need to consider if they are really promoting equality and respect towards children and families affected by disability.
Do not underestimate the determination of parents to fight for children's rights. They will not stop "rising-up" for more funding. These families have "a will and strength" like no other and they never give up. Parents will always be the voice for their children. Your role is to listen to them not "advise" them.
We are not uninformed in our knowledge of our children's needs or in their disability, so do not try to blanket us with "political jargon". We are the ones who know our children best...
According to the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 disability discrimination is unlawful. The Commission states that people with disabilities have the same rights to equality before the law as other people in the community.
The right to quality of life. Maybe Government Departments, who claim to hold the "key" to the "golden chest of funding" ...need to revisit the Human rights Commission Web page.
That is so Interesting...... when looking at email addresses to forward this Blog to; it came to my attention that as of 21/2/2011, Minister Anna Palaszczuk is no longer in charge of disability... now it is Minister Curtis Pitt.
Don't these people know what continuity mean?
Don't these people know what continuity mean?
The above Blog Post has been put forward to the following;
disabilityservices@ministerial.qld.gov.au
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