HOME and Community Care (HACC) programs across the country have been thrown a lifeline from the federal government.
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HACC, now known as Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), has been given a funding extension that will see the initiatives continue until 2018.
The government had proposed changes and reforms that would have meant the funding dried up and the CHSP remained stagnant until an external provider took it on board.
Earlier this year the government announced it would continue with funding until 2017, with the announcement last month meaning it will now have extra time to come to grips with new changes and ways of working.
Leeton Shire Council manager of community services Lyn Williams welcomed the announcement.
“It is good news and does give us more certainty,” Ms Williams said.
“We will have more time now to work under new changes and reforms that have come into place.
“Under (CHSP) council is providing a lot of programs for people such as Meals on Wheels and those kinds of things.
“If we didn’t have funding for this it could go to an external provider and prices could go up and that kind of thing.
“Having this funding now gives council an opportunity to have a look at its operations under CHSP and how they operate. We can work on making them more sustainable into the future.”
Council currently provides five programs under CHSP - Meals on Wheels, home modifications, home maintenance, social support and Leeton/Narrandera community transport.
For more than 18 months the delivery of CHSP services has been in a state of transition to new systems and funding arrangements as a result of the government's national heath reform.
Assistant minister for social services Mitch Fifield said the funding agreements would be extended to June 30, 2018.
“This funding will ensure three years of certainty worth more than $16 billion annually for CHSP providers,” he said.
“I have also decided – having taken on board community feedback – not to proceed with a manfatory national fees policy for CHSP from July 1.
“I have particularly taken on board the views of the volunteers and providers of meals on wheels, community transport and social support services.”
Ms Williams said the announcements would benefit Leeton shire.
“It just gives a bit more breathing room, particularly with the reforms happening within local government as well,” she said. “We will continue working to mark the programs sustainable for the future.”
