Variety is well known for their support of children and young people living with a disability.
Their new We Care therapy grant aims to assist families in accessing interventions and services for their child after they have received a diagnosis but are awaiting the approval of their NDIS plan.
For young people accessing the NDIS, procedures and processing times mean there can be a substantial amount of time between initial diagnosis and activating an approved NDIS plan.
Therapies or early intervention services that are accessed in this period must be paid for upfront by families – meaning they are only available for families that can afford them. Consequently, some young people are missing out on timely interventions and services that could enhance their engagement with education, training, employment, and the community. This delay may result in long-term consequences.
We Care looks to address this issue by providing equitable access to treatments and therapies for young people in a timely manner, regardless of the financial situation their families are in.
Grants of up to $2,000 per child are available and are valid for a 12-month period, or until an approved NDIS plan is activated. Children and young people ineligible for NDIS assistance may also apply for this grant.
To qualify, expenses must relate to the diagnosis and be supported by a GP or allied health professional. Categories may include:
- physiotherapy
- occupational therapy
- speech therapy
- hydrotherapy
- psychology (including behavioural and cognitive interventions)
- exercise physiology.
For the purpose of this grant, service providers will be considered sub-contractors and must provide their details on request. Invoices will be paid directly by Variety. Click here for guidelines, FAQ and application forms.
For more information, email [email protected] or call (02) 9819 1000 and ask for Kids Support.