TWO hills disability groups received a much-needed cash injection last week.
Mt Evelyn’s Melba Support Services and Interchange Outer East were among 14 disability groups that shared an $824,000 State Government funding boost.
Melba will receive $65,000 while Interchange was allocated $54,000.
Not for profit group Melba Support Services assists people with a disability throughout Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
The funding will employ a personal support worker to develop support circles for people with disabilities.
Acting CEO Penny Kendall said the new employee would meet with a person’s friends and family to help them to assist their loved one to make their own decisions.
“They will be ensuring people are connected with others,” she said.
Interchange Outer East general manager Belinda James said the service could now employ a projects manager.
They will develop comprehensive plans for people who attend the service’s balance program.
“It will potentially change people’s lives,” Ms Jones said.
The balance program is aimed at young adults with a disability. It involves living skills, art, music, sport and recreation programs and activities to help participants grow.
The new employee will also teach existing staff to create plans.
“That will make a massive difference,” Ms Jones said.
The funding was part of the State Government Changing Days program.
Community Services Minister Lisa Neville said its focus was on supporting people with disabilities to actively engage with their community.
“Disability service agencies need to be more flexible in how they structure their programs,” she said.
“Changing Days provides funding to assist organisations to re-think how day services are offered to people with a disability.”
-Casey Neill
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