Newly commissioned program for ACT Health underway
The Community Assistance and Temporary Supports (CATS) Program commenced on 1 October 2023. This followed extensive collaboration with the Community Support Subsector (CSS) and other stakeholders. The start of this program also signals the completion of the first full commissioning cycle conducted by the ACT Health Directorate. Procurement for CATS program delivery has culminated in agreements with seven providers, including one consortium arrangement, who have each been contracted to provide a mix of temporary, low intensity services.
The CATS Program replaces the Community Assistance and Support (CASP), Flexible Family Support (FFS) and Transitional Care (TCP) Programs which are ending on 30 November 2023. The program was designed to retain some of the best features of its three predecessor programs and introduce some significant improvements, including:
- a shift to placing central importance on program outcomes, participant experience, robust data collection and reporting, along with continuous service improvement;
- reducing pressure on acute health services through the ‘Warm Hospital Discharge’ core service;
- making eligibility criteria changes so that Canberrans of all ages –including those over 65 years of age – will be able to access services,
- providing longer episodes of support with an increase from 12 weeks under CASP to 6 months for participants and 12 months for carers under the new program, and
- a Central Intake Service (CIS) to be introduced on or before 1 July 2024.
There are important lessons that both ACTHD and the community sub sector have learned through this commissioning process. We will continue to reflect on our experiences as we move forward, collaboratively working together with a focus on continuous improvement, and delivering quality community-based services in alignment with the needs of the Canberra community.
Find out more https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/commissioning/sectors-in-progress/community-support or if you have questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to the HealthCommissioning@act.gov.au
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Page updated: 28 Feb 2024
