Better Start for Children with Disability Initiative
The Federal Government’s Better Start Funding Package (Better Start) commenced in July 2011.
The funding will be used to assist with early intervention for families of children with an approved disability including hearing impairment, in order that these children may realise their full potential in the hearing world.
For children with hearing impairment to be eligible they must meet the following threshold:
Hearing Impairment: children will be eligible if they have a hearing loss of 40 decibels or greater in the better ear, across 4 frequencies (including children with permanent conductive hearing loss and auditory neuropathy).
The funding package is available to eligible children aged under six years. The total maximum funding per child is $12,000 (with maximum funds per financial year of $6,000).
Families of children who meet this threshold must register in order that eligible early intervention service providers are able to receive benefits for supporting each child.
All forms required for registration can be obtained from www.fahcsia.gov.au/betterstart or you can contact the Better Start Helpline on 1800 989 530.
Why do I need to register my child for Better Start?
The Federal Government has committed to helping families of children with a disability by enabling approved early intervention service providers to access funds through the Better Start funding initiative.
The Hear and Say Early Intervention Program has been approved for funding under Better Start. However we will not be able to access funds to provide services to your child if you do not register with Better Start.
Where does Hear and Say fit in?
Hear and Say will not be able to continue to provide the same level and quality of services to the growing number of children and families who need support if it cannot take advantage of this new funding option.
Hear and Say is a not-for-profit organisation that raises 60% of its funds through a range of annual private and corporate donation programs and events. Currently, State Government funding represents less than 30% of our revenue sources with 10% coming from Medicare and parent contributions.
Demand for our services has almost doubled in the last three years and demand for services is predicted to continue to increase further over the next five years. To meet this demand, while still ensuring every child and family are provided with continued high quality services, Hear and Say must increase its sources of revenue.
Better Start has the potential to provide much needed funds to ensure that all of our families will continue to benefit from our child and family orientated services.
These services currently are provided in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast as well as in rural and remote areas across Queensland.
They include:
- Early Intervention: birth to 6 years
- Healthy Hearing Diagnostic Services
- Auditory-Verbal Therapy
- Cochlear Implant Program
- Family Support Services such as play group, parent education programs and social skills programs
With Hear and Say’s extensive range of programs and experience, and just by enrolling at Hear and Say, we are able to offer a complete package to support your child by providing access to additional services beyond those funded under Better Start.
Once my child is registered and approved how do I use the Better Start Funding Package?
We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different and you may select to use the Better Start Funding package for a range of benefits. For example your child may have more than one eligible disability and therefore you may select to distribute the Better Start funds evenly across the approved key service providers for each disability.
This is a sensible approach to take and you can work with us and these other service providers to identify the most effective way of distributing these funds at the start of each financial year.
In line with the specific needs of your child, Hear and Say will work with you to ensure that you get the most out of your Better Start funding entitlement.
Who to contact at Hear and Say to find out more
We appreciate that as with any new Government funding scheme it will take time to understand its specific components.
Hear and Say will work with you to assist to answer your questions. You can speak to Lisa Bath or Emma Rushbrooke by calling 3870 2221 or email your questions to mail@hearandsaycentre.com.au.