Early intervention services - ACT

A child with hearing loss of 40dB or greater in the better ear and additional needs is eligible for Better Start funding.  Better Start for Children with Disability is an Australian Government initiative for funding early intervention services and treatments for eligible children.  

State and Territory governments are the main providers of early intervention services for children with disability. Families of children with hearing loss are encouraged to contact their relevant State or Territory education department or disability service for further information about the types of assistance to which they may be entitled. Families do not require Better Start funding for services offered by a State or Territory Government.

The information provided in the table below lists the government services and non-government organisations who provide early intervention services for children with hearing loss and their families in the ACT.

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• ACT Department of Education, Youth and Family Services
• The Shepherd Centre
• RIDBC Teleschool
  

THE SHEPHERD CENTRE
Contact details	Nealie Place Rivett ACT 2611 Phone: 02 6288 5920 Website: http://www.shepherdcentre.org.au/
Better Start Provider Panel	Yes TSC Better Start fee schedule The maximum charge to Better Start is capped at $1,000 per year (one additional need) or $500 per year (two additional needs)
Services provided	Individual Auditory-Verbal Therapy Individual Family Service Plans Family case meetings Listening, speech and Language assessments Readiness for school program Audiology Individual family/sibling social support sessions
Communication options	Auditory-Verbal Therapy
Cost to family	Every family pays $79 per month membership fee which provides them with access to all Shepherd Centre services according to the needs of the child and family.
Additional comments	Families can apply to reduce the membership cost based on hardship and/or individual circumstances (down to zero if appropriate).
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RIDBC TELESCHOOL
Contact details	Remote Early Learning Program Phone: 1300 131 923 Website: http://www.ridbc.org.au/services/teleschool.asp
Better Start Provider Panel	Yes RIDBC Better Start fee schedule The maximum charge to Better Start will be capped at $2,000 per year
Services provided	Services provided by video-conferencing Individualised program Assist parents to develop skills to support child Parent education Assessment and consultation at North Rocks campus
Services for additional needs	Consultative Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy
Communication options	Auditory-verbal Auditory-oral Auslan
Cost to family	Services for additional needs - $90 per session, capped at $2,000. Discount available if child’s additional needs qualify under another Better Start disability category.
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