Melbourne City Mission has opened a new disability support hub in Werribee ahead of the National Disability Insurance Scheme coming to the west next year.
Melbourne City Mission (MCM) officially launched its new office in Watton Street on Friday at a ceremony attended by Wyndham deputy mayor Walter Villagonzalo.
Although the NDIS will be rolled out in the western suburbs during October 2018, staff at the Werribee hub will begin working with people who disabilities, along with their families and carers, from February.
Staff at the MCM hub will specialise in areas including homelessness, customer support, early childhood intervention services, residential and community-based support and support co-ordination.
Services for children with developmental delays and disabilities will be available, along with support for them to enter into the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
MCM early childhood intervention and disability services general manager Jenny Boulton said staff members would work on-site as well as going into homes and community settings.
“We have a strong relationship with the city of Wyndham and have spent a lot of time listening to councillors, council officers, community members and colleague organisations about current and future disability support needs,” Ms Boulton said.
“We heard loud and clear from the Wyndham community that there is a rich fabric of local disability support organisations, but more services are required on the ground to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.”
Cr Villagonzalo said the council was thrilled to have MCM establish a hub in the area.
“Since 1864, Melbourne City Mission has been assisting people from a diverse variety of backgrounds and we are very excited to have them here in Wyndham,” he said.
