21/10/02
Carers who look after a family member and organisations will be able to apply for a grant to help them find solutions to shared problems.
Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale said today during Carer's Week that $250,000 in funding would be made available for initiatives generated by family members who care for people with disabilities, chronic illnesses or who are frail.
Examples of how the funding could be used include:
- initiatives to increase the ability of family carers to influence the service system so that it better meets their needs;
- opportunities for indigenous carers, young carers and those from non-English speaking backgrounds to work together to address some of their particular issues;
- the development of family carer information or resources that are not currently available; and
- mini-conferences, forums and workshops that will bring family carers together to discuss their issues and problems and suggest solutions.
Grants between $5,000 and $10,000 will be available, with larger grants of up to $20,000 considered for initiatives with broad application across family carer groups.
"The
Family Initiatives and Projects program is based on the premise that family carers will often have the answers to their particular issues and concerns and those of the people they care for," Ms McHale said.
"In many cases, those solutions could be applied more broadly, so it is proposed to provide funding to help set up family initiatives and the forums to network between carers.
"It is common sense to ask for the ideas and opinions of those who are in the forefront in any area and this project can be regarded as an investment in people and their ideas and strategies.
"'
Family Initiatives and Projects' aims to create and strengthen linkages and relationships that enhance the capacity of family carers to support each other and to work together to put forward ideas and solutions to the matters that concern them the most."
The Carers' Association of WA and the Disability Services Commission will oversee the program and the association will administer the funding for the Family Initiatives and Projects.
People wanting further information and application forms can contact the Carers Association of WA on 9444 5922 or visit its website at
http://www.carerswa.asn.au Minister's Office - 9213 6900
