Description

Interchange Inner East Association, Inc is a community based not-for-profit serving the local government areas of Boroondara, Monash, Manningham and Whitehorse in Victoria. Our mission is to support families with children or young people who have disabilities by providing quality flexible respite care which is responsive to the changing needs of families and their children. The service gives young people the opportunity to extend social contacts, build friendships, have new experiences and develop positive life skills.

Interchange was established in 1980 to provide on-going flexible respite to families who had a child or young person with a disability living at home. In Victoria, there are approximately 8000 children with a disability, many of whom live at home with their parents.

At present Interchange Inner East provides three respite programs each of which differ to suit individual needs. They are the Host Program, the Recreation Program and the Flexible Family Support Program.

The Host Program seeks to match volunteer hosts to children and young people with a disability. Hosts come from a range of backgrounds and can be single, married, with or without children, or retired. The aim is to provide families a break, while building a positive, fun and enriching relationship with their child. There are a range of flexible hosting plans to meet the needs of families and hosts. There are currently 40 children matched through the host program.

The recreation program provides respite through planned social and recreational activities for young people. The groups are involved in a variety of activities including day trips, swimming, attending sporting events and weekends away. The recreation program provides opportunities for over 100 young people who are part of groups taking into consideration age and ability. Volunteer youth leaders assist staff to support groups for 5 - 10 participants.

The flexible family support program matches children with complex care needs with paid staff. Families are provided a package of hours which they can use to supply their child with respite care.

Website

State

Victoria

Social Category

Aged Care/Disabilities