The HomeFirst program was launched in 2000 as part of the Victorian Governments One Community Initiative, which recognised that people with a disability have a right to be included in their communities. The Program is focussed on ensuring the maximum independence of people with a disability, by providing home and community-based support to enable individuals with a disability to remain living in their own homes.
AHA, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, collected information through a survey of HomeFirst service providers and consulted with key stakeholders, to identify pricing options for the ongoing funding of HomeFirst agencies. AHA then modelled the impact of the selected pricing option on agency funding and total DHS outlays.
This pricing methodology was based upon the Disability Service Pricing Principles and is consistent with the Intellectually Disabled Persons Service Act 1986 and the Disability Services Act 1991.