Making a Difference is a State government program to provide support for Victorian families and other unpaid carers who are caring for a person with a disability.
Making a Difference is:
- Focussed on the whole family
- For people with disabilities of many types
- Available through various family support agencies throughout Victoria
- Funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services.
Caring for a person with a disability can be difficult
Providing care for a person with a disability can be very difficult. Many families who provide care:
- Experience worry and great stress
- Have problems getting the help and services they need for caring
- Find it difficult to get services at the times when they are needed.
Making a Difference helps coordinate assistance on behalf of families
Making a Difference provides a person called a case manager who helps families or carers to identify their problems and needs. The case manager also:
- Knows about the type of help and services available
- Helps identify available options
- Helps families or carers reach their own decisions
- Does not tell families or carers what to do
- May organise help and services on behalf of families, carers and people with disabilities.
Making a Difference can help coordinate many types of support
Where necessary, extra services may be provided through the program. This may include:
- Home assistance with bathing, shopping and at meal times
- Out of home activities (like recreational or social activities, school or day placement and holiday support)
- Respite in and out of home
- Special equipment or aids
- Volunteer and other carer reimbursement expenses
- Transport assistance
- Professional support.
Many people are eligible for help
People may be eligible if:
- The person being cared for is over five years old.
- The person has moderate to severe disabilities or has difficult problems which need special help.
- The family or carer has many complicated needs as a result of caring for the person with a disability.
Making a Difference gives priority to families and carers with high needs
Families or carers with high needs are given priority in the Making a Difference program. For example, when:
- Caring for a person with more than one severe disability, whose behaviour is difficult to manage
- The carer has a lot of stress and needs a lot of help and support, or
- The main carer is over 60 years old.
Where to get help
- Your Department of Human Services office freecall 1800 783 783
Things to remember
- Help is available for families and other unpaid carers who care for a person with a disability.
- A case manager coordinates help for each family or carer.
- People with disabilities and their carers make their own decisions about support.Assistance is provided based on individual needs.
You might also be interested in:
Children with a disability - support for parents.
Disabilities - children and everyday activities.
Disability - day programs.
Disability - schooling choices.
Disability - support services.
Disability - volunteer support.
Intellectual disability.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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