Thirty-one disability organisations across Queensland have been chosen as host providers for the Your Life Your Choice trial of self-directed disability support.
Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett said people with a disability were now another step closer to having more control over their funding, as part of the Newman Government’s commitment to strengthen essential frontline disability services.
“After releasing the Your Life Your Choice self-directed support framework in September, vital work has been completed to ensure the move towards people having greater choice and control is on track,” Mr Bennett said.
“Last month, a number of Disability Services-approved providers were invited to express an interest and readiness to become a host provider of self-directed support.
“I am pleased that 31 organisations have been chosen in an initial round as host providers, including a number in the Wide Bay and Burnett.
“They are listed on the department’s website to help people choose a host provider that will help them start self-directing their support. Further approvals are expected next year.
“Host providers will be crucial in helping people with a disability and their families have greater choice in how, when and by whom their supports will be provided.”
M Bennett said the information on the website listed both the fees and services of the host providers, allowing Queenslanders with a disability to shop for their specialist disability support for the first time.
“This is an exciting step in Queensland, one that I am proud to say is preparing people with disability, their families, carers, the sector and community for a future NDIS, which has choice and control as key features,” he said.
Mr Bennett said 1,300 families – including 9 families in the Burnett electorate – would be invited to take part in the trial by moving their funding to the Your Life Your Choice framework.
“These people will be able to take on the level of responsibility they feel comfortable with and then choose a host provider to help them start self-directing their support,” he said.
“We will progressively offer the option to participate in Your Life Your Choice to more client groups within Disability Services.”
Information on the host providers available throughout Queensland can be found at www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/key-projects/your-life-your-choice