Celebrating the Childcare Access Program as New Subsidies Improve Access for Families

For more than 25 years, the WA specialist alcohol and other drug sector has supported families facing childcare-related barriers to engaging with treatment and support through the CAP. The program made it easier for many parents and caregivers with young children to access services, improve their health and wellbeing, and build relationships with childcare providers that supported their families in the longer term.

The CAP originated from a similar program developed by Holyoake in the late 1990s and was transferred to WANADA in 2000 to expand the sector’s capacity to support families facing access and engagement barriers. Its long operation reflects the sector’s collective commitment to improving equitable access to services.

Childcare remains a key factor in helping parents, particularly women and single parents, to engage with alcohol and other drug services, according to WANADA’s review of our Childcare Access Program (CAP).

The Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) now enables broader access to childcare benefits.

WANADA will end the CAP this month, supporting members to transition participating service users from the CAP to the CCS from now until June 2026.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to both the CAP and the review. For more information, please contact WANADA Project Officer Helin Cimen on (08) 6289 0750 or via [email protected].