Brisbane Church leaders yesterday announced Centacare will withdraw from National Disability Insurance Scheme-funded disability services by the end of 2025. Source: The Catholic Leader.
The decision affects about 700 disability services clients and 600 staff.
“This has been a very difficult decision,” Centacare Council chair Vanessa Sullivan said.
“We have been committed to exceptional care in disability services for more than 40 years.
“When it became clear that the financial challenges were becoming too great, Centacare commissioned a thorough independent review that confirmed our concerns around the current model.”
The review looked at Centacare’s disability services, which were offered from southern Gold Coast, north to Hervey Bay and west to Kingaroy and Gatton.
The services ending included supported independent living services, medium and short-term accommodation, onsite shared support services, disability social and life skills hubs and NDIS-funded support in the home and community.
Centacare will also transition out of Disability Support for Older Australians services.
The Church agency expects its transition from disability services to be complete by mid-November.
Centacare will continue to provide services in aged care, family and relationship care and community and pastoral care as well as operate Catholic Early EdCare.
Brisbane apostolic administrator Archbishop Mark Coleridge said since the archdiocese began its ministry in disability services, the sector had “grown greatly, with many more trusted providers now in the space”.
“The task before us is to finish the work as we began it: with compassion and care.”
He said they would “accompany every client, family, carer and guardian” so that each transition was “handled with sensitivity and respect”.
Ms Sullivan said they were “very sorry to exit this field”.
“It was one of the founding pillars of our organisation and we have been fortunate to build long and rewarding relationships with our clients and staff,” she said.
“We thank them all for the loyalty, care, and commitment to mission which have underpinned our disability services for decades.”
Centacare is working closely with the NDIA and a number of respected and trusted NDIS providers to help clients and staff transition to new arrangements.
FULL STORY
Centacare announces end to NDIS-funded disability services after 40 years of ministry (The Catholic Leader)
