- $6.5 million for AEIOU to provide early intervention services for children with autism
- This includes a new centre at Camira to replace an ageing facility
- $1 million for Autism Queensland to continue its early intervention support for children
More young children with autism and their families will be able to access critical early intervention services thanks to a $7.5 million funding boost from the Miles Government budget.
This funding and support feeds into the Government's Putting Queensland Kids First strategy.
The AEIOU Foundation has been allocated $6.5 million over two years to allow it to expand its operations including to design and build a new state-of-the-art facility at Camira, in Brisbane's southwest.
Autism Queensland will also receive $1 million to continue its focus on early intervention services for children with autism, in line with a national agreement to establish a foundational supports system for people with disability.
These initiatives complement the recent State Budget announcement of more than $160 million allocated for disability reforms as an initial response to the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission and National Disability Insurance Scheme review.
As stated by Minister for Disability Services Charis Mullen:
"I'm so pleased to announce this funding because I know there is growing demand for early intervention services for children with autism and their families.
"AEIOU's Camira site is ideally located to support residents around the southwest suburbs of Brisbane and Ipswich.
"With this new funding, AEIOU will be able to cater for the needs of even more young children, while also providing much-needed support to their families."
"Autism Queensland can also continue their important work focusing on early intervention services for children with autism.
"The evidence clearly shows early intervention for young children with autism can be life changing.
"It gives them the best opportunity to develop social skills, make meaningful and lasting friendships, and live independently when they are older."
As stated by AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith:
"I want to express my gratitude to Minister Mullen and the Queensland Government for this critical funding.
"It will make a profound and enduring difference in the lives of autistic children.
"This funding will allow us to build a new, state-of-the-art facility on-site that will better enable us to deliver our early intervention program for children in the Ipswich region and surrounding areas."
As stated by Autism Queensland CEO Pam Macrossan:
"Autism Queensland, as a peak agency, welcomes the Queensland Government's contribution to ensuring continuity of service during this transition phase of the NDIS.
"This funding allows us to maintain our presence in regional communities, providing vital services and resources for autistic children and their families.
"We are proud to play a pivotal role in the development of foundational supports for the future in Queensland."
