Better Start Initiative – Cootharinga Improving Access to Early Intervention Services
31 August 2011
The Better Start for Children with Disability initiative provides funding for early intervention services.
Parents and carers of eligible children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Deafblindness, Fragile X syndrome, hearing impairment or vision impairment can purchase therapy services for their child from Cootharinga North Queensland funded by the Commonwealth Governments Better Start for Children with Disability initiative
Better Start
What is the Better Start early intervention initiative?
As of 1 July 2011, children who are aged under 6 years and have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Deafblindness, Fragile X syndrome, hearing impairment or vision impairment can be registered to access early intervention funding up to $12,000 (maximum $6,000 per financial year) to pay for early intervention services.
The funding can be used to access early intervention services provided by a range of early intervention professionals who are members of the Better Start Early Intervention Service Provider Panel. The professionals on the panel include speech pathologists, audiologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and others.
Is my child eligible?
For further information about eligibility and the Better Start initiative, please visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) website.Enquiries can also be directed to the Better Start Helpline on 1800 989 530 or emailed to Better.Start@fahcsia.gov.au
Eligible children must be registered before their 6th birthday and families will have until their child turns seven to use the early intervention funding
How do I apply for funding?
The Better Start Registration and Information Service (RIS) is operated by Carers Australia. To register your child for the Better Start initiative, call the Carers Australia RIS on 1800 242 636. Children must have a confirmed relevant diagnosis to be eligible. Parents or carers of eligible children will need to register their child for the Better Start early intervention funding before the child turns six years of age.
Where do I get services?
Cootharinga North Queensland is a registered Better Start Allied Health service provider. Parents and carers of eligible children are able to purchase services from Cootharinga funded by Better Start for their child. Contact us now for more information: Nicole Brown, Occupational Therapist (07) 47592040 or Nicole.Brown@cootharinga.org.au
Please follow this Link for more information about to the services Cootharinga offers under the Better Start initiative and our rates:
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