Interchange Central Gippsland

Respite Programs

The following is a summary of our respite programs. The information provided here is only brief. If you would like to find out if these programs are right for your family. and if a waiting list currently exists please contact us. (Contact details on Home page.)

Host Program
The Host Program is a regular planned respite program where a volunteer ‘Host Family’ cares for a child with a disability on a regular basis (generally one weekend a month) in the Host’s home.

The Program provides:
An opportunity for the family of a child or young person with a disability to have a regular planned break from the full-time care of their child.
The child with opportunities for new social experiences
Increased community awareness of the issues related to people with disabilities.

Matching ‘hosts’ with children/young people is done on an individual basis in such a way as to respect the needs and preferences of the participants and their families, while taking into account the strengths and preferences of the host/s. Some of the factors taken into account are: cultural background, shared interests, geographic location, life experiences and religious beliefs.

The host Program is available in all four shires in our region.

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Flexible Family Respite Program
The Flexible Family Respite Program is designed to meet the needs of families who have limited access to respite services, because of the individual needs of their child, geographic isolation, or the lack of suitable service types to meet the family’s needs.

Families are allocated up to 72 hours of respite per quarter, provided by paid workers who can be nominated by the family. Additional hours of respite may be available to meet special or unforeseen circumstances.

Interchange Central Gippsland can introduce families to potential carers if the family is unable to nominate someone already known to them.

Currently this programis only available in Latrobe City and Baw Baw Shire.

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Respite Home & Community Program
The Respite Home & Community Program is designed to meet the needs of families who have limited access to respite services, because of the individual needs of their child, geographic isolation, or the lack of suitable service types to meet the family’s needs. This program is currently only available to families living in South Gippsland and Bass Coast Shires.

Families are allocated up to 50 hours of respite per quarter, provided by paid workers who can be nominated by the family.

Interchange Central Gippsland can introduce families to potential carers if the family is unable to nominate someone already known to them.

This program currently operates in Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires.

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Family Choices
This is a very individualised and flexible form of respite care funded by DHS Disability Services. A number of packages are available to families. Families can determine the form of respite that best suits their family. Respite can take many forms and can be arranged at times that suit the family. Children must be registered with DHS to be eligible for the program. This program operates in Shires of South Gippsland and Bass Coast only.

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