CheckUP awarded grant to support small businesses and sole traders in disability services sector
CheckUP is pleased to share that on Wednesday, 26 June, the Queensland Government announced we have been awarded grant funding to support small businesses and sole traders working in the disability services sector, particularly in thin markets and regional and remote areas.
This funding will enable CheckUP to build the capacity of the sector to support the delivery of high-quality services to Queenslanders with disability. CheckUP has an established presence in over 170 communities across Queensland including regional, rural, remote locations, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. At our core we are dedicated to supporting communities and reducing inequities by strategically collaborating at a regional and local level to lead improvements through a range of initiatives in capability building, workforce planning, health services and school-based programs.
Commenting on the new funding, CheckUP CEO Ann Maree Liddy said:
“We are grateful for this significant investment to support small disability providers in Queensland.
“We would like to acknowledge the important work that peak disability organisations have done and continue to do for the sector. We look forward to collaborating with these organisations to build a stronger, more resilient disability services sector together.
“Our widespread programs have supported the Queensland health and social assistance sectors to plan for, build and develop a capable and sustainable local workforce and we look forward to extending further support to the Queensland disability sector.
“We have an established footprint in many regional and remote Queensland communities through our current programs. This new project will have a particular focus on supporting disability sole traders and small businesses in regional and remote locations, and we will be building on our existing networks within these communities to support this work.”
The Queensland Government released the following through a media statement yesterday.
The Disability Peak and Representative Bodies–Sector Capacity and Capability grant will provide funding of $100,000 in 2023–24, and $400,000 in ongoing annual funding in 2024–28.
The investment supports the Queensland Government’s priorities under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031, aiming to improve the lives of Australians with disability.
It will also assist in making Queensland’s over $2 billion annual investment in the National Disability Insurance Scheme more cost-effective by strengthening and improving the capacity and capability of the disability sector.
The announcement comes in the lead up to this week’s Disability Reform Ministerial Council meeting, which is the regular meeting of Commonwealth, state and territory disability ministers.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Disability Services Charis Mullen:
“Every Queenslander deserves the same opportunities and access to the care they need, and that’s why this funding is so important.
“We know there are gaps in services, particularly in rural and remote areas, and this needs to be fixed.
“CheckUP already has strong existing networks across the state in the health area, including in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“It means they are well positioned to help address issues in a range of locations.
“I look forward to seeing them advocate for and work with small businesses in the disability services sector so they can deliver the best possible services.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business Lance McCallum:
“This is about doing what matters for Queensland – creating good jobs and employing the best people to deliver the best services for Queenslanders with a disability – no matter where they live in our great State.
“The Miles Labor Government is proud to back CheckUP who have a strong history of supporting the workforce in our health and disability sectors.
“As an Industry Workforce Advisor and an Industry Skills Advisor, CheckUP is actively helping businesses to find solutions to the employment challenges they face, and informing training priorities, to best meet sector needs.
“And through our successful Gateway to Industry Schools program, the not-for-profit is encouraging young Queenslanders to pursue inspiring careers in health – with 85 Health Gateway schools across Queensland this year.”
ENDS