THE Neighbourhood Centre is among seven Bathurst disability support providers to receive funding to help them prepare for the National Disability Scheme (NDIS).
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They were among successful local groups to be awarded a combined $226,500 from the NSW Government’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to assist providers in regional and remote areas of the state.
On Wednesday, Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole announced the funding.
Planning for the NDIS is vital, The Neighbourhood Centre manager Jean Fell said as she received a funding grant of $35,000.
“You’re out there competing in the open market [once the NDIS is in], and if they [clients] don’t know you then we have no future,” she said.
Ms Fell said funds will be spent on marketing and upgrading the centre’s information technology.
Minister Ajaka praised the groups for the work they do in the Bathurst community.
“These great people are doing great things in the community,” he said.
Minister Ajaka acknowledged there have been some concerns from providers about the NDIS.
He said rather than cuts to the sector, funding will increase from $2.7 billion in 2016-17 to $6.5b in 2018-19.
He also briefed providers on the continuing NDIS roll-out and trial periods.
“TAP will ensure providers are ready for the change and help them plan for the future,” he said.
Mr Toole told providers that the NDIS was a once-in-a-generation reform.
“[This] reform will transform the lives of people with a disability, particularly those living in regional and remote NSW,” he said.
Other groups to receive TAP funding included the Bathurst Seymour Centre ($34,000), Bathurst Community Transport ($16,000), Accessible Living Options ($35,000), Rylstone District Care and Transport ($16,500), Bunyarra Accommodation Services for People with a Disability ($20,000), and joint funds of $70,000 to Bathurst Early Childhood Intervention Services and the Orange and District Early Education Program.