Support offer

AT-RISK seniors, people with a disability and their carers will be provided with a comprehensive range of basic maintenance and support services to help them remain independendent.
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler announced $418,702 worth of additional Home and Community Care (HACC) Program Funding in Holt.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne welcomed the announcement and visited the Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, which is one of the successful programs of the funding.
Twice a week 20 to 30 members of the program attend at the centre and participate in activities designed to help them continue to engage with their community, such as exercising and participating in group activities like arts and crafts.
“We need to continue to support programs like the one at DNLC to help participants remain independent, in their own homes and communities, close to friends and family for as long as they can,” Mr Byrne said.
“A total of eight HACC projects in Holt have been allocated $418,702 in additional funding.”
Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre manager Jodie Berry described the funding as a welcome investment to provide essential community services and prevent social isolation.
“The additional funding for DNLC is specifically allocated for minor capital investments. The funding is being saved for the provision of a new bus to transport participants to and from the centre,” Ms Berry said. The Federal Government contributed $7.1 million and the Victorian Government contributed $4.8 million to the $11.9 million package across Victoria. The jointly funded HACC program will provide $502.8 million in 2010-11 to about 480 agencies across Victoria.