Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler, and Federal Member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou, today announced about $350,000 worth of additional services for people in the Calwell whose capacity for independent living is at risk.
The services will be funded under the Victorian Home and Community Care (HACC) Program – a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and Victorian state governments.The HACC initiative provides a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated range of basic maintenance and support services to help frail aged people, people with a disability and their carers to remain living independently in the community.
“People want to remain independent, in their own homes and communities, close to friends and family for as long as they can,” Ms Vamvakinou said.
“This funding will help many people stay at home rather than move prematurely into residential care, providing the practical assistance that many older Australians need.”
The following organisations received funding: Hume Council $318,000; Dianella Community Health $45,000; Merri Outreach Support $7,000 and the Victorian Arabic Social Services $2,000.
This year additional HACC funds will enhance service provision for the most at-risk sections of our community.
The Federal Government contributed $7.1 million and the Victorian Government contributed $4.8 million to the $11.9 million package. The jointly funded HACC program will provide $502.8 million in 2010-11 to about 480 agencies across Victoria. This is an increase of $30.3 million or 6.4 per cent on 2009-10. “This funding can be used for identified needs – such as expanding community transport, or meals on wheel – and will enable local communities to benefit directly from the program,” Ms Vamvakinou said.
The HACC program plans services to help the frail aged, people with disabilities and their carers.
