NSW Minister for Disability Services, Andrew Constance, last week launched the Consumer Development Fund (CDF) to support people with disability and their families make the transition to a new disability system based on self-directed supports and individualised budgets.
$5 million has been allocated to the fund to prepare for the expansion of individualised funding arrangements.
"We want to ensure that people feel comfortable and confident accessing the services they need which best suits their individual circumstances by the time it is introduced in July 2014," Mr Constance said.
"The Consumer Development Fund will assist people to make the most of the opportunities available to them through individualised budgets."
The fund is an initiative of the Living Life My Way consultations where participants identified the need for support which raises awareness of opportunities, builds a person or family’s skills in developing partnerships and networks as well as their capacity to manage their own disability resources.
CDF will support a wide range of capacity building initiatives for people with disability, families, carers from different backgrounds across the State.
The NSW Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) has been engaged to administer the fund under the direction of an advisory group that will have diverse representation from people with disability, families, carers and consumer bodies. CID has significant leadership and expertise in capacity building initiatives and has been close involved in the Living Life My Way consultation process.
"We look forward to assisting people through this change which will ultimately result in them having more control over their lives," said Ms Aine Healy, Executive Director, NSW Council for Intellectual Disability.
"This may be through forums, creating local groups or networks, training or more creative means."
For more information about the NSW Council for Intellectual Disability visit www.nswcid.org.au.
For information about the Person Centred Approaches call 1800 605 489.
Source: Ageing, Disability and Home Care
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