The ACT Government is improving how Canberrans access care with Community Assistance Temporary Supports.
Image: Kylie Gorman has brown shoulder-length hair and is wearing a brown suit. She is smiling at the camera.
The Community Assistance Temporary Supports program provides people in the ACT with temporary services to discharge safely from the hospital or remain in their homes while they recover from an illness, injury or another health issue.
From 1 October 2023, Community Assistance Temporary Supports will replace the existing Community Assistance Support Program (CASP) and the Flexible Family Support (FFS) and Transitional Care programs.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the transition to a single program follows deep engagement with stakeholders and will make it easier for Canberrans to access timely support.
“Enabling people to access care and supports in their own home means they can maintain crucial connections to family, carers, friends and the wider community which improves their health outcomes and recovery,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“We are also ensuring people do not fall through gaps in available services by extending eligibility to include all ages and increasing the length of care provided through the program from 12 weeks to six months for patients and 12 months for carers.
“Our aim is to prevent vulnerable members of the community from remaining in hospital longer than necessary and ensure they can get back to their lives as quickly as possible.”
Image: ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith standing against an ACT Government media wall. Picture: Keegan Carroll.
Services provided through the Community Assistance Temporary Supports program will include non-clinical supports for wellbeing, personal care including assistance with bathing or dressing, and help with other domestic tasks such as cooking and laundry.
The program connects people with existing community supports and longer-term services, such as the NDIS and the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Six providers were selected through a rigorous tender process to deliver the program’s core services. Life Without Barriers will deliver personal care and domestic assistance.
Kylie Gorman, Director, Disability and Mental Health Services NSW/ACT at Life Without Barriers said; "Life Without Barriers is committed to delivering personal care and domestic assistance support under this program to assist Canberrans to have a smooth transition from hospital to home."
“We believe this program is fundamental to people’s dignity and independence. Life Without Barriers strives to deliver excellent services in the ACT."
"We’re thrilled to continue to partner with eligible Canberrans so they can continue to live happy and healthy lives in their own homes.”
Since merging with DUO in July 2017, Life Without Barriers has continued the excellent record of successfully delivering local services within the ACT and have continued to grow the range of services available to the community.
From 1 October, Life Without Barriers has commenced delivering personal care and domestic assistance support to people under the new Community Assistance and Temporary Support Program.
To ensure service continuity the Government has agreed to offer two-month contract extensions to existing CASP providers from 1 October to 1 December.
For any inquiries related to the program changes, participants are encouraged to reach out to their current provider to receive further information about the transition.
For more information about Community Assistance and Temporary Supports, including information about the services and providers funded through the program, visit: www.health.act.gov.au/CATS or email CATS@lwb.org.au
