Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan today announced that $47 million funding will be available for Early Childhood and Early Intervention (ECEI) services in South Australia from next month.

These services will be provided through the South Australian Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI), and benefit children with developmental delay or disability. Through ECEI, families will be assisted in supporting the children in developing skills they need to participate in daily activities from an early stage.  

“Early support gives each child the best chance of achieving their potential and providing quality services early in a child’s life reduces the possible need for longer-term intervention,” Mr Tehan said.

“This is a significant outcome for children with development delay or disability and an important milestone in the roll out of the NDIS in South Australia as the scheme reaches full operation in the state in July this year.

The Minister also highlighted the significance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to South Australians living with disability, and the local economy.

“The NDIS is expected to boost the South Australian economy by $740 million and bring more than 5,000 new jobs in disability services to the state.

“The number of people accessing supports is expected to grow from 17,000 to 32,300 people in South Australia.”

Read the media release.