Supporting Canberrans to recover well at home

Capital Region Community Services (CRCS) and Community Services #1 (CS#1) are proud to continue helping Canberrans to access short-term support for a health issue, illness or injury through the ACT Government’s new Community Assistance and Temporary Supports (CATS) program. This free program provides people in the ACT with temporary services to discharge safely from hospital or remain in their homes while they recover from an illness, injury or other health issue.

CRCS and CS#1 have joined forces to provide support under the CATS program: CRCS will deliver medical and allied health transport, while CS#1 will provide care coordination and help participants transition to other community supports and longer-term services appropriate to their needs, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“The CATS program will help Canberrans with health conditions to recover in their homes. The supports will be tailored to each participant's needs, so they can get back to leading fulfilling lives sooner,” said Mandy Green, CEO of CRCS.

“Having provided transport services in our community for nearly 40 years, CRCS is excited to expand our program to deliver medical and allied health transport to even more Canberrans in need.”

Simon Bennett, CEO of CS#1, said, “Community Services #1 is proud to become the provider of a dedicated and experienced team who will deliver care coordination and bridging support services across the ACT.”

CATS replaces the previous Community Assistance Support Program (CASP) and the Flexible Family Support (FFS) and Transitional Care programs. The range of CATS services will be provided by seven providers across the ACT.

“We are working closely with the organisations that previously provided CASP to ensure participants have a smooth transition to the new program,” said Mandy Green, CEO of CRCS.

“Together with CS#1, we are committed to providing for those members of our community who need some support to recover from health issues. This is part of our wider mission to empower people to live their best life,” Ms. Green said.

“In jointly providing supports under the new CATS program, CRCS and CS#1 will deliver much-needed services to the community.’ Mr. Bennett said.

More information

The work of CRCS and CS#1 will be complemented by five other providers, each delivering elements of the CATS core services.

• ACT Disability and Aged Care Advocacy Service (ADACAS) will provide an individual advocacy service.
• Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT will deliver care coordination services.
• Carers ACT will provide services that support carers and nurture care relationships, as well as a Warm Hospital Discharge service that provides connected support for people discharged from hospital to home.
• • Life Without Barriers will deliver personal care and domestic assistance.
• Northside Community Service will deliver personal care, domestic assistance and food services.

About CRCS

We are a non-profit community-based organisation that provides a wide range of programs and services to communities across the ACT and the broader capital region.

We provide diverse programs and services catering to individuals, families, children, young people and seniors. Our services include early education and care, outside-school-hours care, youth engagement, family support, education and early intervention services, community transport, aged care in-home and social supports, therapeutic services, disability services, housing support and community development and recreation programs.

About Community Services #1

Community Services #1 provides emotional and practical support to thousands of individuals and families across the ACT and NSW. Our non-profit community organisation delivers a range of services supported by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Our services include early education and care, out of school hours care and holiday programs, aged care services, a food pantry and community support including, social support groups, senior’s groups, community transport, venue hire and out of hospital care within the Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW local health districts.