More specialist support services for children with a disability

Children with a disability and their families will benefit from more specialist family and early intervention services with the expansion of a successful Disability Services Queensland program.

Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt said an extra seven people would be employed under the Family and Early Childhood Services program to deliver support and intervention services.

“This program has already delivered enormous benefits for hundreds of children aged up to six who have a significant developmental delay,” Mr Pitt said.

“The service supports families to access community services, therapy services, counselling, skill development and a range of community options.

“Through the program, children often develop much greater ability and confidence in their motor and speech skills, which serves them well when they progress on to school.

“It is a tried and trusted service and it is stasifying to know that the extra positions will allow even more children to benefit.”

The extra staff will be employed in Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and the Wide Bay-Burnett area.

Mr Pitt said early intervention was at the heart of the program’s success.

“There is no doubt that the younger a child is when they receive this kind of support, the better the outcome – not only for the child, but for the parents and other family members as well.

“Funding these additional positions for the Family and Early Childhood Services program is a significant step in our drive to deliver a better quality of life for Queenslanders with a disability, their families and carers.”

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286