The NSW Government is providing $200,000 in additional funding to Yerin Aboriginal Health Services to assist more Aboriginal people with a disability to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the Making It Our Business program funding would enable Yerin to engage a dedicated NDIS Access Officer to implement NDIS Access multidisciplinary initiatives.
“As a Central Coast-based provider of health services, Yerin is well-placed to provide direct support to Aboriginal people and their families through the NDIS registration process,” Mr Crouch said.
“This funding over the next 12 months will also allow Yerin to undertake NDIS capacity building, strengthening of local partnerships, and support for the access pathway.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the Making It Our Business program has also increased the number of Aboriginal businesses involved in the NDIS sector.
“The program is backing Aboriginal businesses with grants and mentoring to help them scale-up and deliver new and improved services for Aboriginal people with disability through the NDIS,” Dr Lee said.
“It’s vitally important Aboriginal businesses participate in the NDIS as they are best placed to understand the specific needs of Aboriginal people with disability and provide the culturally appropriate services they need.”
Yerin CEO Belinda Field said the grant would provide further scope for the organisation to address gaps that prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander from accessing culturally-responsive NDIS services in the region.
“Our Muru Bara Team, meaning “making pathways” in local Darkinjung language, is already doing great work in the disability space, however, this injection of money will continue to enable Yerin to assist the Aboriginal community access NDIS services by helping them develop individual NDIS plans that are culturally responsive and also provide support to carers and their families,” Ms Field said.
