Improved Support for Children With Disability in NSW

CANBERRA, Australia, May 31 -- The Australian Department of Social Services' Minister for Social Services issued the following news release:

Children with developmental delay and disability across New South Wales (NSW) will have access to Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) services.

Children in NSW with disability and developmental delay will benefit from an investment of more than $136 million in targeted services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Lifestart, Northcott, Mission Australia, EACH, Intereach, and Cerebral Palsy Alliance will be funded to provide ECEI services to children with disability and developmental delay aged 0-6.

Support will include services, such as short term, targeted speech and occupational therapy, information about local community and mainstream services, support for families and carers, and assistance to access the NDIS for those children who may need longer term support.

The new partners will work closely with the outgoing providers currently delivering ECEI supports to ensure all children are supported during the transition to full scheme NDIS in NSW.

Once fully implemented, the NDIS is expected to support 142,100 people in NSW, and about 460,000 people nationwide.

The scheme is also expected to boost the NSW economy by $3.4 billion, and create up to 59,200 jobs in disability services in NSW.