A Federal Government investment of almost $1.5 million will boost support and care services in Mossman for Indigenous people with a disability.

Southern Cross Care Service will share the funding among its various facilities, including a residential home in Mossman that opened in February 2012 to help younger indigenous people with a disability move out of hospital and aged care facilities and into their own home.

The $1.5 million is part of a total $4.4 million designated to aged and community care providers across the Leichhardt electorate under the Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

“This extra funding will help expand existing services or create new ones in identified priority areas of need in Leichhardt,” Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said.

“We know there is a real need for domestic assistance, social support and transport in our region and that’s where the majority of funding will go.”

The Mossman home was modified specifically for people with disability to include wheelchair access, widened doors, ramps, lower bench tops, and regulated water temperatures. Residents have access to Southern Cross Care Services’ 24-hour support and assistance, and a modified van to take them on fishing trips, shopping, and to the community centre for arts and craft classes.

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield added; “The Commonwealth HACC program provides critical basic maintenance, care and support services where most people prefer to receive it—in their own homes and communities.

“We have made sure a large portion of the funding is going towards services that meet each region’s most pressing needs.”

Details of successful applications and further information on the program can be found on the Department of Social Services website at www.dss.gov.au/agedcare. The new services will begin to be delivered from March 2014.