It is with great sadness that Catherine Sullivan Centre announced this week that the

centre is to close at the end of Term 1, April 2019.

Elizabeth Pooley, Chair of the Board of Catherine Sullivan Centre (CSC) noted: “this

sad decision was not made easily and every effort has been made to explore other

options to retain the Centre. However, time and funding are not on our side.”

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has impacted

the early intervention sector and Catherine Sullivan Centre has not been immune.

The transition from block government funding in July 2018 has meant that the

organisation has been struggling to survive on NDIS payments, despite significant

efforts by CSC staff and Board to cut costs and find other funding options.

As a result of this financial insecurity, CSC Board has now made the difficult decision

to cease operation. The term 1 timeframe aims to allow current families time to plan

a transition to other services and for them, the current staff, past parents and the

broader community of supporters time to say goodbye.

Catherine Sullivan Centre, based at Strathfield, has offered an unique, family

focussed program for young children with hearing loss and their families for nearly

50 years. Originally a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the

Solomon Islands, since 2015 it has been under the umbrella of Dominican Education

Australia. The Board acknowledges the care and dedication of the Dominican Sisters

of this ministry for many years. The Dominican ethos of social justice and equity in

education has underpinned and enhanced CSC practice and services. This ethos was

a key reason why CSC was the centre of choice for many families with vulnerable

children.

For further information about this announcement contact;