Increased funding for Cerebral Palsy Assn of WA

2/3/98

Disability Services Minister Paul Omodei has announced increased funding of more than $360,000 for the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia.

The State Government already provides $10.5 million annually to the Cerebral Palsy Association to fund a range of services and programs, including accommodation, education, health and respite care for adults and children with cerebral palsy.

The additional recurrent funding was approved by the Disability Services Commission Board following a review of CPAWA accommodation units at the Sir David Brand Centre in Coolbinia.

Mr Omodei said the review had identified a need for additional resources at the Ccntre s Hillroyd Nursing Home, which provides permanent accommodation for 18 people who require nursing care, and at the Cassia Hostel which currently houses 12 people with high support needs.

He said the additional funding would help the CPAWA better meet the needs of their clients.

"It is important to ensure that appropriate services are provided for people with high support needs, like the residents of Hillroyd and Cassia," the Minister said.

"Their needs are changing frequently and the additional funding will allow the association to employ extra specialist staff to meet those needs."

CPAWA chief executive officer Dr Ruth Shean said the new funding was extremely welcome, and would meet the needs of many individuals and families currently in crisis.

"There are many families in Western Australia who have been worried about just how they would cope in the future," Dr Shean said.

"This funding will not only set many minds at rest, but will bring an improved quality of life to those people for whom out-of-home respite is essential."

Mr Omodei said the review had also prompted a reorganisation of accommodation services for better use of the existing accommodation units.

He said Hillroyd and Cassia would provide accommodation exclusively for permanent residents while nearby Boronia Hostel would be become the association s separate adult respite facility to provide temporary accommodation for up to 10 people.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9366 0200