The Andrews Labor Government is doing more to support kids with disabilities with the upgrade and refurbishment of Melbourne’s largest not-for-profit children’s health service.
Kalparrin Early Childhood Intervention Service in Greensborough has been helping kids with disabilities or developmental delays – and their families – for more than 40 years by providing specialist programs, therapies and expert advice.
Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos, Treasurer Tim Pallas, Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks and Member for Eltham Vicki Ward today announced $500,000 from the Community Support Fund to build nine new therapy rooms at Kalparrin, a new education and training space, as well as complete a full refurbishment of their existing facility.
It will help prepare the health service for future growth, with demand for their services having increased by 400 per cent over the past four years.
Their team of 32 early childhood intervention specialists includes speech pathologists, occupational therapists, dietitians and psychologists that work with families to ensure their child’s social, intellectual, physical and developmental needs are being met.
They currently support around 350 families and also run after school sport and school holiday programs, financial training and fathers groups, as well as professional development workshops for early childhood educators. The local council is also contributing $300,000 for the renovation, with works scheduled to commence soon.
Victorian children with a disability are also being supported through the Labor Government’s Early Childhood Intervention Services program, which ensures they don’t miss out while waiting for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
An additional 741 places were funded this year to provide support – such as speech and physical therapy, behaviour management and school transitioning assistance – to almost 8,000 Victorian kids ahead of the full NDIS rollout in 2019.
As stated by Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos
"We’re giving kids greater access to the early intervention services that will give them the best start to their lives."
As stated by Treasurer Tim Pallas
"Early intervention can make a world of difference which is why we’re doing more to boost services like Kalparrin."
As stated by Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks
"The local kids who come to Kalparrin with their families deserve every chance to thrive. That’s why Vicki and I fought hard to get this funding to improve facilities – they deserve it."
As stated by Member for Eltham Vicki Ward
"It’s great to see Kalparrin get this much-needed extension and refurb so they can help more kids and families."
