Vulnerable and disadvantaged children will benefit from extra government funding during COVID-19.
The funds will be directed to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services to support children with trauma-related behaviours or mental health conditions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in addition to funds for providing additional inclusion aids, such as mobility devices, specialised inclusion toys and communication tools to child care services through the Specialist Equipment Library.
Education Minister Dan Tehan said the additional funding recognised that children needed extra support to help them navigate the coronavirus pandemic.
“The government is providing additional funding so children impacted by COVID-19 get extra care to ensure they continue to get all-important early education. We are also providing more money to ensure children with disability can access tools and resources that will help them be more engaged with their early childhood care,” the minister said.
“Parents and carers of children with additional needs will benefit from access to appropriate and inclusive ECEC services, which in turn will free them up to increase their time working, studying, or completing training.”
More information on the Inclusion Support Program can be found on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.