By Laura Michell
A Macedon Ranges home and community care program for young people will be taken over by Benetas after the council decided to scrap the program.
Councillors voted in August, 2019 to stop providing the Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACCPYP) from July 1, 2020. The decision was in response to reforms in the aged and disability services sector.
The program provides services for young people with a disability, chronic illness or short-term health needs that do not meet the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) criteria.
Benetas will be responsible for the program from July 1, after being selected to deliver the services locally by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Macedon Ranges council chief executive Margot Stork said the council would work with Benetas and DHHS to transition 19 clients.
She said despite the change, it would be business as usual in terms of the delivery of services to HACCPYP clients.
“Clients and families remain our key priority and will continue to receive individualised support during the transition process,” Ms Stork said.
“We are committed to managing this change in a respectful and sensitive way.
“DHHS selected Benetas through an established process that protects the interests of clients. Benetas has a strong history in providing home care services and shares council’s commitment to putting clients at the centre of service delivery.”
Ms Stork said the decision to withdraw from the HACCPYP would allow the council to invest in other services.
“HACCPYP provides service to a small number of people in a regulated environment,” she said.
“With other agencies delivering this service locally, we are better placed to invest in council’s other health and wellbeing priorities including social connection, improving infrastructure and attracting more services to the shire.
“Regardless of changes to HACCPYP services, council will always have a role in advocating and planning for the health and wellbeing of residents.”
