Interchange Central Gippsland

ABOUT US

About Interchange Central Gippsland
Interchange is a not for profit community organisation that provides support to families who have a child with a disability. Parents provide all the loving care possible but they often need a break from the demands of caring. Interchange gives volunteers an opportunity to assist families who have a child with a disability.

Interchange’s programs serve to build, enhance and promote the strength of the family unit within the community, through direct respite care service provision, co-ordination of additional services and advocacy with other agencies to build a co-ordinated service system for families.To ensure a holistic approach to the needs of the family and to ensure a quality response time and adequate referral process, Interchange Central Gippsland has implemented a full intake and assessment procedure.

Interchange Central Gippsland is an incorporated association. It is governed by a voluntary committee of mangement elected annually by members of the the association.

If you are interested in supporting Interchange Central Gippsland by becoming a member of the association you will need to complete a membership form. Our office staff can put you in touch with committee members and can be contacted on 5127 7979.

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Eligibility for Programs

To meet the basic eligibility requirements for Interchange Central Gippsland programs families must meet these critera:
1.They have one or more children or young people with a disability living at home
2.The child must have a disability that is intellectual, physical, sensory, Autism Spectrum or ADD
3.They live in Latrobe City, Baw Baw Shire, Bass Coast Shire or South Gippsland Shire

Often the number of people wanting access to a place on ICG programs is much greater than the number of places available. In order to ensure that those in the greatest need have access to the limited program resources that are available Interchange has developed a ‘Priority of Access’ (POA) policy .The Priority of Access criterion has been developed in response to both:

•factors identified by Interchange Central Gippsland Inc. as creating additional pressures on the families of children with disabilities, particularly the primary carer, and

•requirements of our government funding bodies.

Each Priority of Access criteria is weighted equally, meaning that in determining priority, one is not seen as more important than another. Further information on the Priority of Access criteria can be obtained from a program worker.

Each of our programs also has specific eligibility criteria, and not all programs are available in each local government area. The map below shows where each program operates. All families registered with Interchange Central Gippsland are eligible for our Family Support Program whether or not they are currently receiving respite.

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Our Programs
Interchange Central Gippsland runs home based and recreation based respite and mentoring programs for children and young people with a disability and a support programs for their families. Details of these programs are on our Respite; Recreation & Learning and Families pages.

Purchased Care
Interchange Central Gippsland will provide a paid carer at a reasonable cost for families who have a care package with another organisation. This program is in place for some families and for some ICG groups such as the Friendship Groups.
Arrangements for purchased care must be made by the organisation that has the package with the program worker for the relevant ICG service.

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Local Government Areas Where Our Programs Operate
As not all our programs are available in all of the local government areas that our service covers, we have provided this map so you can see what is available in your area.

Baw Baw Shire •Roadies •Flexible Family Respite •Host Program •Family Support •Sibling School Holiday Activity Program •Social ConneXion and Technology		Latrobe City •Roadies •Flexible Family Respite •Host Program •Family Support •Sibling School Holiday Activity Program •Social ConneXion and Technology
Bass Coast Shire •Teenage Vacation Program •Respite Home & •Community •Host Program •Family Support •Family Choices •Sibling School Holiday Activity Program •Social ConneXion and Technology			South Gippsland Shire •Teenage Vacation Program •Respite Home & Community •Host Program •Family Support •Family Choices •Sibling School Holiday Activity Program •Social ConneXion and Technology

About Interchange Victoria

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