Disability idea borrowed

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE CITY of Greater Dandenong will plug a disability services gap by borrowing from an initiative set up by the neighbouring City of Casey.
Noble Park North Ward councillor Maria Sampey successfully moved to have the council investigate funding options to assist families with special needs children who need after school and vacation care programs.
Cr Sampey called for a state and national campaign to ‘highlight the plight of families of special needs children’.
She suggested that the council look at the Casey Kidz Club as a model for funding Greater Dandenong’s services.
The Casey Kidz Club, run by Amanda Stapledon, receives funding from all three tiers of government and is an after school care program for intellectually disabled children aged 12 and over.
Cr Sampey said there was a services gap in the disability sector, and that after speaking with a neighbour who has a disabled child, she realised the plight many parents face in finding time to themselves, and appropriate care for their children.
A report to councillors will now be undertaken by council officers.