The Victorian autism plan acknowledges the growing need and benefits of peer support for autistic people, their families and support networks.
In the reporting period, the Victorian Government provided 2-year grants to 72 organisations. This was through the 2023 to 2025 Disability Self Help Grants program. Grant recipients offer peer support opportunities for people with disability and their families. The updated program guidelines reflect the needs of disability self-help groups. The guidelines also match the goals of Inclusive Victoria and the Victorian autism plan.
The 2023–24 Budget funded ACD to create a peer support network. This network is for Victorian families of children with disability. The key objectives of this initiative are to:
- provide opportunities for families of children with disability to:
- connect with other families who share similar experiences
- access information and resources to support them in their caring role
- have their voices heard on issues that affect them.
- build evidence about families raising children with disability
- inform the work of the Victorian Committee for Families of Children with Disability through summary reports and snapshots.
The National autism strategy highlights how peer support helps autistic people. It boosts social inclusion, mental health and wellbeing. The Federal Government committed to funding a peer support program and will provide up to $19.9 million over 4 years. The program will offer support that is age-appropriate and culturally sensitive. It will meet the varied needs of autistic people and the autism community.
Updated