10/1/04
A good old-fashioned belly laugh is just one of the strategies to be used in de-stressing and supporting carers of people with disabilities or mental illness.
Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale said hundreds of Western Australians who cared for family members or friends would benefit from $200,000 in funding to a range of innovative and imaginative programs.
Ms McHale announced the joint State Government and Federal funds as part of the Gallop Government's Family and Carer Initiative while meeting carers and their families at the Motor Neurone Disease Association today.
New carer support programs would vary from laughter therapy workshops for carers of people with Huntington Disease to more targeted programs dealing with issues of behaviour management and sexuality for people with Down syndrome.
A total of 24 agencies will provide the carer support programs in metropolitan and country areas, with funding administered by Carers WA Inc.
"Carers are selfless members of the community who deserve to be supported in their often draining caring roles," Ms McHale said.
"The full range of support programs reflects a real understanding of local needs, particularly in country areas, and stresses the importance of building support networks with a much needed light hearted approach where possible.
"Helping families to reconnect as a unit through special camping holidays for carers of adults with disabilities is just one example of the welcome human touch included in these programs. Other initiatives will specifically help carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds."
Workshops specifically designed for indigenous carers would also be funded and conferences organised to help reduce the isolation of carers in remote parts of the Pilbara.
Metropolitan programs include:
- ARAFMI Mental Health Carers and Friends: information/skills development program for carers of a partner with mental illness and pre-school age children - $11,800.
- The Australasian Charge Syndrome Assoc Ltd: development of a support network for carers/parents of a child affected by CHARGE and their siblings - $5,000.
- Caring into the Future: production of a book of personal experiences as information and support for other families caring for a person with a disability - $5,000.
- Christian Youth Camps Lake Cooloongup: launch of social club for carers in Rockingham with workshops to identify issues of concern - $9,650.
- Down Syndrome Assoc of WA: workshop for 100 parents covering topics on Down Syndrome including behavior management, sexuality, wills, LACs - $9,800.
- HOPE: workshops on life coaching and story telling/mentoring to assist carers to develop a vision for a good life for their family member - $2,000.
- Australian Huntington Disease Assoc: laughter therapy workshop and anniversary forum and dinner for carers and families - $6,420.
- ISHAR Multicultural Centre for Women's Health: program for carers from CALD background to interact and express themselves in supportive environment - $19,600.
- Lions Club Forrestfield High Wycombe: camping holiday adventure/time out for carers and families with adults with a disability to reconnect families - $5,000.
- Motor Neurone Disease Association: conference to educate and encourage carers to be effective advocates for themselves and care recipient - $4,850.
- People with Disabilities WA Inc: safeguards workshops in country and metropolitan areas specifically for indigenous carers - $20,000.
- Resource Unit for Children with Special Needs Inc: develop a support network for carers in Armadale area - $10,000.
- Senses Foundation: a support network for family carers and family members of people who are deaf blind - $10,000.
Country programs include:
- Bunbury Pathways '92 Inc: development of ways to identify the needs of regional families supporting a person with a mental illness so that appropriate information can be provided - $8,000.
- Collie Respite Group: workshops to explore local options for respite care - $3,000.
- East Kimberley Family Support Assoc Inc: workshops to broaden carer knowledge of disability and contemporary thinking on disability services - $8,975.
- Goldfields Individual and Family Support Assoc: workshops for people with disabilities and families on futures planning (legal/financial safeguards) - $7,000.
- Hedland Community Living Assoc: carers' conference for the Pilbara region to reduce isolation and to better equip/educate carers - $17,000.
- Mandurah Carers Group: workshops and individual facilitation to develop plans for carers to clarify the caring role and how it can be implemented - $4,725.
- Midlands Individual and Family Support Assoc. Inc: a weekend workshop for families from the Wheatbelt area - $10,000.
- Milligan Foundation Housing Assoc Inc: sole parents with a mental illness who are isolated, to develop positive parenting skills and build supportive networks through retreat at Fairbridge Village - $4,753.
- Narrogin and Districts Parents Group: workshops for the Upper Great Southern area to develop parents' knowledge and skills to assist and participate in the programs developed for their children - $5,000.
- Positive Post School Parents Group: workshops for parents of young people with disabilities to explore options for their children to participate in the community - $5,657.
- Where's Wendy: autism workshop in the Albany region for family members to attend to assist them to develop specific strategies - $6,932.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
