Eligible not-for-profit providers in NSW can apply for the second round of funding under the Transition Assistance Program.
The program, run by ACSA and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), provides grants of up to $15,000 to providers that are expanding into disability services.
It has been designed specifically to grow the disability services market in NSW through projects that promote service expansion and conversion.
The delivery service area scope for the funding round has also been expanded to include metropolitan areas, after being limited to regional areas in the first funding round in 2016.
ACSA CEO Pat Sparrow said the organisation was pleased to continue its partnership with ADHC, manage the application process for the program and distribute the $600,000 available under TAP2 to successful organisations.
“Under TAP2, eligible organisations that have transitioned to the NDIS can apply for up to $15,000 in grant funding to be used to progress the next step of enhancing their operations in the NDIS market place,” Ms Sparrow said.
“This is a great opportunity for small organisations across NSW to gain funding to expand or change their organisation’s service offering under the NDIS.”
TAP2 funding cannot be used for any expenses that would be considered ‘business-as-usual’ or transition activities to complete NDIS transition, like carer salaries, office expenses (e.g. stationery), capital expenses (e.g. renovation of premises); updating IT systems including client management systems; staff training, or other activities directly related to transitioning to the NDIS.
Examples of suitable service conversion projects
- Hiring a consultant to develop a change management plan which identifies the changes required and activities that will be undertaken to convert the operations of your disability services to be more responsive and reposition your organisation in the NDIS market place.
- Consumer market research about new service options they would like to purchase from your organisation under the NDIS.
- Investigating new models of service delivery or enhancing services by changing your service models.
- Adapting current supports to better suit a new cohort.
Examples of applicable service expansion
- Market feasibility for expanding service delivery to a new location, assessing your financial position and opportunities for financing.
- Expanding your service by improving access to new clients, or how you will better cater to a new client group (e.g. CALD, Aboriginal or young people).
- Obtaining strategic or legal advice on a potential merger or partnership with another organisation.
- Commissioning a study of your local market and growth opportunities.
Organisations must currently receive or have received in the last two years funding from the Department of Family and Community Services for disability support services in NSW and have a turnover of less than $5 million to be eligible to apply.
For more information go to the Transition Assistance Program Home Page or contact the TAP inquiry line 02 8754 0429 or tap@acs.asn.au.
