Community Participation Service

The Community Participation Service focuses on assisting young people with moderate to high support needs who require an alternative to paid employment or further education.

The Service endeavours to increase the independence and the skills people need to work towards their goals and participate as valued and active members of their community.

Aims of Community Participation Service are to ensure that clients of the service are supported:

• in making the transition from school to adult life.
• in maintaining and developing every day life skills and increasing their independence
• in continuing learning as well as participating in meaningful leisure, recreational, social and cultural activities
• to participate and be included in their local community
• to have active and valued roles in their community
• to expand their friendship and support
  networks

Service

Before commencing with service a Transition Plan is developed between client, school, family and Lifeskills’ staff.

Independent Service Plan (ISP) is put together within 3 months with client, family , advocate etc and documents personal goals.

Some activities currently undertaken in Community Participation include— literacy & numeracy, budgeting, computers, work experience, healthy lifestyles, first aid, nutrition and cooking, personal growth/ development, protective behaviours, social skills, drama, music, dancing, craft, sewing, woodwork, horticulture, swimming, gym, community events.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Community Participation Service a person must be either:

• Currently receiving individualised Community Participation funding from DADHC
• A school leaver with moderate to high support needs who is 18 years of age before 31 December or has completed year 12
• Has an intellectual, physical or sensory disability who is eligible for a service under the NSW Disability Services Act (1993) and is assessed as eligible by DADHC
• Is a resident of NSW or is approved to transfer from Transition to work Program and is NOT undertaking paid employment (for more than 6 hours per week), full time further education or higher education.
• Early or late entry is decided on a case by case basis only in exceptional circumstances by the Regional Director.

Service Area

The program will support eligible people with
disabilities in the Mid-West Regional Council Local Government Area.

Transport

Transport may be provided during the day to assist a person to access the daily program of activities, but it is not provided for commuting purposes at the beginning or end of a day other than in limited circumstances.

For further information on community participation service please contact
Manager or Coordinator
Lifeskills Plus Inc.
24 Perry Street,
Mudgee 2850
Ph 63726440
Fx 63726516
Email mgr@lifeskills.ngo.org.au

The above service is provided by Lifeskills Plus Inc with funding from Commonwealth and State Government through Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care (DADHC) Disability Services Program.