Page 544 - Week 02 - Thursday, 11 February 2021
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(2) The ACT Government is committed to recognising and supporting carers and responding to their needs, rights, choices and opportunities to fully participate in all areas of life. This is demonstrated through the Government’s funding of Carers ACT as a peak disability organisation to provide individual and systemic advocacy.
In 2017, the Government partnered with Carers ACT to develop the ACT Carers Strategy 2018-2028, a carer-led framework to support and recognise the contribution of all carers in the ACT. The strategy acknowledges the difference carers make by providing support and assistance for people who live with disability, physical or mental health conditions or are frail aged.
Canberra Health Services has developed an action plan to assist in implementing the ACT Carers Strategy 2018-28. These actions have been developed in consultation with consumer and carer representatives and include a focus on: improving education and support for carers; identifying carers who may benefit from and promoting access to respite care; providing access to the hospital school for young carers; undertaking focus groups to identify and address barriers to involving carers in health plans and discharge processes, and reviewing the “Hospital in the Home” initiative to consider carers’ needs and role as part of the care team. Canberra Health Services is also currently undertaking a comprehensive Disability Needs Assessment to help inform development of a Disability Action and Inclusion Plan, which will include actions relevant to supporting carers.
The ACT Government remains committed to supporting people with disability, their families and carers, and the disability sector through the COVID-19 health emergency. In May 2020, the Government released the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy, which acknowledges that the rapid rate of change and disruption to routines due to COVID-19 can be distressing for many people with disability and their families and carers.
Phase 1 of funding under the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy provided an additional $450,000 for a range of responses, including targeted communication delivered by several disability support organisations, and making Personal Protective Equipment accessible and available to people with disability and their carers. Phase 2 funding will provide a further $400,000 for additional responses, including individual grants to reduce home-based pressures on people with disability and their family carers.
Phase 2 funding under the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy, respite effect grants, administered by community organisations, will support people with disability, their families and their carers experiencing hardship due to extended periods of reduced social and community engagement.
The ACT Health Directorate funds two services to support carers for people living with disability via the Community Assistance and Support Program (CASP) and the Flexible Family Support (FFS) program. The services are delivered by Carers ACT and Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).
Carers ACT receive funding across both programs to deliver care coordination, carer counselling and advocacy, domestic assistance, home support and social support.
CIT receives funding under CASP for delivering counselling, information and advocacy for carers and families of people with disability.
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