$25 Million for NDIA Early Childhood Services in Western Australia

CANBERRA, Australia, Jan. 8 -- The Australian Department of Social Services' Minister for Families and Social Services issued the following news release:

Western Australian children with a developmental delay or disability will benefit from an investment of more than $25 million to deliver front line Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Minister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher, and Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson, have today announced Wanslea Family Services as the first NDIS Partner in the Community to deliver ECEI services in Western Australia.

Mr Fletcher said Wanslea will support the implementation of the NDIS for children aged 0-6 years at a local community level.

"The appointment of Wanslea is another important milestone for families as we continue to roll out the nationally-delivered NDIS in WA," Mr Fletcher said.

"Wanslea is a well-known and respected Western Australian organisation, founded more than 70 years ago, when they first began supporting WA families experiencing the hardships of World War II.

"Families and children are at the heart of Wanslea. Through their established connections with the community, Wanslea is expected to help Western Australian children with developmental delay or disability to achieve better long-term outcomes.

"Through this $25 million investment, the Liberal-National Government is fully funding thousands of children and families to access the services and supports they need, supporting them at the earliest opportunity to develop the skills they need to take part in daily activities.

Ms Henderson said children in WA will benefit from early intervention to address developmental delay or disability.

"The NDIS is a life-changing Scheme. ECEI partners are the first point of contact for families, who believe their child is eligible for the NDIS," Ms Henderson said.

"Early support gives each child the best chance of achieving their potential and providing quality services early in a child's life reduces the possible need for longer-term intervention.

"Wanslea will deliver front line ECEI services, helping children and families to engage with the NDIS, understand the role of the Scheme in assisting their child's development, and guide families to appropriate supports."

Wanslea will establish ECEI services in Central South Metro, South Metro, South West, Great Southern, South East Metro and Inner Wheatbelt from February 2019.

Consideration is still being given to the delivery of ECEI services in the North Metro, Central North Metro and North East Metro service areas, and further announcements regarding these areas are expected in due course.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) provides planning services in the remaining WA regions of Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest-Gascoyne, Goldfields, Esperance and Outer Wheatbelt, and is currently reviewing the roll out of ECEI services to these regions.

The NDIA assumed responsibility for the delivery of the NDIS in WA in July 2018. The NDIS will continue to roll out on a geographic basis and will be fully rolled out across Western Australia by 2020 as agreed by governments.