•  Barwon Region
• Other Resources

Barwon Region Early Childhood Intervention & Disability Services

Central Intake for Early Intervention Services, Department of Human Services

Tel: 03 5226 4740

Central committee that allocates places to government funded Early Childhood Intervention Services including therapy, case management and family services coordination, respite, support, counselling, family services etc

It directs families to resources in SCOPE, Gateways , Noah's Ark Resource Center or Children's Specialist Services in the Barwon region.

Long waiting lists may exist, but it is highly recommended to enter these services through Central Intake to access service or resources that you may need now or in the future.

Referral from your paediatrician.

Barwon Specialist Children's Services, Department of Human Services

Barwon Specialist Children's Services, Department of Human Services

Tel: 03 5226 4540

Specialist Children's Services (SCS) Team provides services for children up to school age where there are concerns about an area of the child's development.

This may include concerns about physical development, speech /communication, play skills, social development, emotional development, learning, nutrition, and eating behaviour.

Referral by paediatrician, self or service provider or family services coordinator

Colac Specialist School Early Education Program

Tel: 03 5231 2371 Jill Rodgers

For children with significant developmental delay who live in the Colac/Otways area. Services• Evaluation Projects & Reports include family services coordination, therapy services, preschool support and inclusion, transition to school, and weekly support groups.

Early Choices Program

Tel: 03 5221 2984 Gateways Early Choices Coordinator

Early Choices is a flexible program which provides additional support to children with severe disabilities and complex needs.

Short term brokerage (money management) for families for specific needs ie respite, equipment, aides

For high need children and families, who cannot access resources anywhere else; for example, they may be on a waiting list through Central Intake and need assistance with specific funding or top up funding short term.

Referral by self or service provider or family services coordinator

SCOPE (VIC) - Shannon Park

Tel: 03 5221 5444• Evaluation Projects & Reports

Provides services and support to families and children who have a disability, including those who have a physical disability, multiple disabilities, or developmental delay.

Services are provided by therapists and early childhood teachers and include working with families to identify needs, family support, individual and small group programs, equipment advice and assistance, support for inclusion in community programs, referral to other agencies and support with transition to preschool and school.

Access through Central Intake or direct referral or yourself.

Gateway Support Services, Geelong

Tel: 03 5221 2984

Services are provided to children with developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder or a diagnosed disability, and their families.

Services include autism assessment and diagnosis, early intervention services, preschool support and inclusion, and assistance with transition to school planning.

Programs include therapy, behavioural and educational programs, as well as parent information, education and support programs.

Access through Central Intake or direct referral or self referral

Noah's Ark Geelong

Tel: 03 5229 5327 Email: geelong@noahsarkinc.org.au

Noah's Ark offers Parent Support Groups and Early Intervention Playgroups offer support for families and play experiences for children with significant developmental delay and disability aged 0-6 years.

•  Early childhood intervention programs for families who have children with disabilities

•  Support to early childhood services to include children with disabilities

•  Specialist equipment and toys for use both in child care and at home

•  Support to parents through contact with other families who have a child with additional needs

•  Recreation programs for young people with disabilities.

•  Special Playgroups

•  Specialist toy and equipment library

Access through Central Intake or direct referral or yourself

MacKillop Family Services

Tel: 03 5278 9211

MacKillop Family Services provides a wide range of programs for disadvantaged children, young people and families in Geelong including:

•  Home assistance for families with a moderate to severely disabled child.

•  Respite care options to give families a break from their responsibilities.

•  Support and Choice Packages

•  Making A Difference Program

•  Access through referral or yourself

Aids & Equipment Program

http://hnb.dhs.vic.gov.au/ds/disabilitysite.nsf/sectionthree/aids_equipment?open

The Victorian Aids and Equipment Program aims to provide subsidised aids, equipment and home modifications to people who have been assessed as needing assistance to continue living safely and independently in their own home for as long as possible. The program may also assist families and carers.

The Aids and Equipment Program is funded by the Department of Human Services and is available from support providers across the state.

Through self application or your family services coordinator

City of Greater Geelong

Tel: 03 5227 0293

Children's Services Resource and Development Officers (CSRDO's) provide support, resources and training to staff working in child care services to assist them in the inclusion of children with disabilities.

The Special Needs Subsidy Scheme (SNSS) is available to provide extra support to promote the inclusion of children with high support needs attending child care.

Through self application or family services coordinator.

Carer Respite Centre

Tel: 03 5260 3501 or free call 1800 059 059

A government funded program to provide flexible short term support to promote the quality of life of carers and those for whom they care.

Other Resources

Association for Children with a Disability

We provides information, support and advocacy organisation for children with a disability and their families, in Victoria , Australia . Our organisation is run by parents of children with a disability - most of our staff and committee are parents - so we know what it means to have a child with a disability. We cover all types of disability and are a non-profit organisation. Parents/family members, professionals and service providers are welcome to contact us for information and advice on any issue, phone 03 9500 1232, 1800 654 013, fax 03 9500 1240 or mail@acd.org.au

Apraxia Kids

www.apraxia-kids.org

Welcome to your Guide To Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Designed especially to those new to the diagnosis of Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Click on the link to enter your guide to learning and helping your child.

Barwon Respite

www.respitebarwon.org.au

Respite Barwon is an internet site designed to improve communication and access to information for all people with an interest in respite and other disability services in the Barwon region of Victoria.

Cerebral Palsy Education Centre

www.cpec.com.au

CPEC provides internationally recognised educational services in early childhood intervention and after-school programs for children with cerebral palsy and their families as well as a range of information and educational services to the wider community.

Cerebral Palsy Support Network

www.cpsn.info

•  The Cerebral Palsy Support Network is an incorporated state-wide Self-Help Public Benevolent Institution.

•  To promote the principles of community inclusion for individuals with Cerebral Palsy, and their families.

•  To offer support to members by linking them together, as well as linking members to services and programs that are relevant and sensitive to their needs.

•  To help empower people with Cerebral Palsy, and their families, by providing regular relevant information.

•  To raise community awareness of Cerebral Palsy.

Human Services Directory

http://humanservicesdirectory.vic.gov.au

The purpose of the Human Services Directory (HSD), sponsored by the Victoria Department of Human Services (DHS), is to provide a business environment in which consumers have access to detailed information about health, community and disability services available to them, no matter where they live in the state.

Learning Disabilities Online ( USA )

www.ldonline.org

"The leading Web site on learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals"

Specific Learning Difficulties Association of Victoria (SPELD)

www.speldvic.org.au

SPELD, the Specific Learning Difficulties Association of Victoria, is a non-political, non sectarian association of parents and professional people interested in children and adults with specific learning difficulties. We have been assisting and educating Victorians with great success for 36 years.

The Brain Foundation

www.brainfoundation.org.au

Brain Foundation Victoria is a state wide service that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people affected by conditions of the brain (acquired after birth) and providing support to their families.

The Bobath Center UK

www.bobath.org.uk

Specific information on Bobath Therapy and links to international cerebral palsy and hemi information.

Yooralla Society of Victoria

www.yooralla.com.au

Yooralla helps Victorian children and adults who are born with disabilities, as well as those who have acquired disabilities through accident, ill health and age. Large range of early childhood and disability services.