National Equity Program

In reply to Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (28 July 2017). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills): I have been advised of the following:

The National Equity Program for schools is funded by the state government. Each year, government grants are allocated to eligible non-government organisations that provide education and related therapy services to children and students with a disability in South Australia. This program also supports a crisis support program which provides funding to government and non-government schools to support children and students during a period of unexpected need, often due to a complex health support requirement on return to school after hospitalisation.

Funding has been provided to Flinders University to fund the Autism professional learning project ($211,164), and to the Ministerial Advisory Committee: Children and Students with Disability to administer the grants on my behalf.