CENTACARE Disability Support

Supporting people to live meaningful lives

within their communities of choice

Our disability support services were established in 1986 and currently support more than 2500 people throughout south east Queensland.

We support people to reach their full potential at home, at work and in their community. We do this through a range of programs, including:

• Learning and Leisure Services provide goal based, education, work-related and recreational programs for children and adults with a disability in their local community.

• Independent Living services to support adults with a disability to live independently in the community.

• Respite Services providing short term breaks for carers of people with a disability, which includes a range of learning and leisure experiences. This can include overnight or holiday stays and activities during the day.

LEARNING AND LE ISURE

Our Learning and Leisure programs are designed to enhance independence, confidence, self-esteem, interactions and life choices through a range of vocational learning and recreational opportunities and social activities.

Our flexible programs actively engage people to indentify and express their needs and wishes, to then work toward achieving their goals in safe, secure and stimulating environments.

Through the support of highly skilled, qualified staff and a volunteer team who are matched with the people we support. We offer a range of programs that include:

• community volunteering

• travel training

• numeracy & literacy

• learning through leisure

• art & media

• skills for life

• preparing for work.

We also offer a wide range of group and individual activities including:

• music & drama

• woodwork

• friendship groups

• themed events

• horticulture

• cooking

• Men’s Shed.

SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT L IV ING

Centacare’s Independent Living Services supports adults with a disability to live independently in the community.

Our team of trained professionals will ensure that you are supported to live as independently as possible. This includes assisting with all aspects of daily living.

Independent Living Services are tailored to respond to a wide range of individual needs, through a person centred approach.

Independent Living Services can provide support with:

• preparing your meals

• house work

• medication

• personal hygiene

• managing your day to day budget

• developing the skills needed to live independently

• maintaining good health

• accessing the community and building friendships

• case management.

Independent Living Services are targeted to adults over the age of 18 who have physical, intellectual, sensory, psychiatric and/or multiple disabilities.

Services are responsive to the support and goals of each person as needs arise or change.

SPECIALIST SUPPORTS

Specialist Supports seeks to work collaboratively with all stakeholders on achieving

outcomes that make a positive difference to the wellbeing of

people with a disability.

Specialist Supports are responsive to the needs and goals of each person by providing behaviour support for people with complex needs.

Specialist Supports are responsible for:

• The assessment and development of Positive Behaviour Support Plans.

• Behaviour support interventions and recommendations

• Training, coaching and mentoring of staff in individual Positive Behaviour Support Plans.

• Promoting the understanding and use of Positive Behaviour Support. Ensuring that CCS complies with the amendments to the Queensland Disability Services Act (DSA) 2006 as they relate to the use of restrictive practices.

• Providing training and advice in regard to positive behaviour support and the use of restrictive practices.

• Undertaking complex case management.

• Working with people to reduce harmful behaviour and eliminate the use of Restrictive Practices.

Specialist Supports offer:

• Specialist behavioural intervention support

• Behaviour management plans and training in behaviour management strategies

RESPITE SERV ICES

We understand how important it is that carers are supported to take care of themselves to enable them to continue in their caring role. Our flexible in-home and centre-based respite services enable carers to take advantage of a time-limited break.

Many of the people we support regularly enjoy overnight, weekend and short stays with us and have established positive relationships during these stays.

Services we offer:

• social skills development

• making new friends

• independent living training

• leisure and holidays.

From a few hours a day, to weekend or longer periods, we can provide support in your own home to maintain regular home routines whilst introducing new experiences. The person you care for may also like to consider accessing one of our many overnight respite settings across Brisbane, Ipswich, Bribie Island, Redlands, Hervey Bay and the Gold Coast.

“I can’t speak highly enough of their respite care.I have been using Centacare’s respite services for just less than a year now for my daughter Tamara. The type of respite care I have used has been part-time at one of Centacare’s respite houses. Tamara has really enjoyed her time there. They carefully matched her with a new friend and they became instant buddies overnight. It was most beautiful to see. Tamara even mentioned that her carers weren’t like carers elsewhere, they were more like friends. Whilst Tamara is at the respite house they even let her choose what activities she wants to do, movies and bowling to name a few.

I would certainly recommend Centacare, as their communication to me as a parent has been excellent. Thank you Centacare!”.

Monica, Brisbane

CENTACARE HAS BEEN A GOD SEND

TRANSFORMING TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Thomas is a young man who first came into contact with mental health services, after being hospitalised with the symptoms of psychosis when he was 18 years old.

Thomas had begun showing signs of mental illness at 15, which affected his schooling and relationships. He left home when he was only 16 and lived on the streets and in various youth shelters.

His mental health deteriorated, resulting in a number of hospital readmissions and eventually a referral was made to Centacare Anam Cara’s Transitional Housing Program (THP) for psychosocial support within their residential setting. The support for Thomas included skills training around managing the symptoms of his illness, as well as support around activities of daily living.

Thomas was able to move into a one-bedroom unit managed by the Department of Housing, with support provided by Centacare. Today, Thomas still resides in the unit with regular assistance from his support workers. His mental health has stabilised. Thomas has now developed more skills and strategies to manage his anxiety, which enables him to undertake activities that he previously avoided. This has increased his confidence and he now enjoys regular attendance at camping trips, dinner dances, as well as his activities of daily living, including catching buses and doing his own shopping. He has recorded a number of songs and regularly plays basketball to regain his fitness levels.

“I now have more confidence to achieve my goals.”

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERV ICES

Centacare’s Mental Health Support Services has a personalised approach to recovery. We encourage individuals’ independence and social participation in their community. Our programs respond to people experiencing mental illness and life challenges.

Common elements of each individual’s experience of recovery include:

• fostering hope

• meaning, purpose and direction

• equality and respect

• empowerment

• social inclusion and connectedness.

We work with individuals living with mental illness and their families and carers through community and in home based services, peer support, advocacy and family intervention - counselling, mediation, education and skills development. Services support individuals to develop and maintain their ability to manage their day-to-day lives.

“Empowering individuals to live meaningful lives within the communities

of their choice.”

The aim is to liaise with individuals, families, carers, mental health services and other community support to provide:

• recovery focused individual goal setting

• connecting with community

• finding or maintaining suitable accommodation

• household management

• daily living skills

• budgeting

• shopping and meal preparation

• using public transport

• accessing education, training or employment

• individual case management

• respite for carers.

Programs are designed for people to take back control of their lives, overcome obstacles and start living a life full of meaning, hope and optimism.

CENTACARE IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME

Lyn Coleman is one of our employees at Centacare. Lyn also works for Centacare as a receptionist/shift replacement worker. “It’s my way of keeping busy and helping others within the community. Centacare is part of me!” said Lyn.

She has also been a client for over 20 years and was one of the first clients to use our supported accommodation.

“For me as an individual, Centacare provides me with personal care, household chores and on call

service. If I also need anything during the day they would assist me”. I have someone morning and night, 7 days - 365 days a year. Centacare has always been here for me” said Lyn.

“Centacare support gives me the freedom and independence that I need. Without Centacare and the support they give me I don’t know what I would do. The on call support is a real benefit to me, it gives me that reassurance and level of assistance that enables me to be out in the community to live as independently as possible. I really would recommend Centacare”.

CARER SUPPORT

Caring can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be stressful. Many carers experience a range of feelings related to their role as a carer. Emotions like anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness, loss and grief are very common.

While family and friends can provide important support, it can sometimes be helpful to talk with a professional who is not emotionally involved with the carer or the person being cared for.

Our carer counselling program can connect you to a qualified professional who understands the problems that carers often face.

Counselling can help you:

• Deal with overwhelming and confusing feelings.

• Make sense of your experiences as a carer.

• Work out your own needs and solve problems.

• Manage conflict, stress and other emotional factors that make caring more difficult.

• Build resilience and cope with change.

• Improve your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

• Provide support after the caring role ends.

Sometimes the need to ‘talk it over’ is clear. At other times, you may feel confused, guilty or embarrassed about what you need to talk about. Feelings such as anger or resentment may arise in your caring situation. These feelings are normal.

Having an independent person to talk with can help reduce confusion, guilt, resentment and anxiety, or the isolation you may be experiencing and assist you to gain clarity around issues to be addressed.

Finding time to have counselling can be challenging, but is well worth the effort. One of the first steps in caring for you is to make time to get some of your own needs met.

My Future: My Life is an initiative that encourages and supports Queensland secondary students with a disability to prepare and plan for life after school.

Since it commenced in 2012 My Future: My Life has continued to develop and now offers information sessions and Think Prepare Plan (TPP) workshops throughout the State for parents, educators and disability professionals. These free activities support participants to think creatively about possible options for secondary students with a disability for life after school.

Transition Preparation Support is also available to students in year 7 and up. A free face to face session with students and their families uses learning from the TPP workshop to discuss in more detail possible pathways for life after school.

MY FUTURE:

MY L IFE

Max has landed his dream job driving a front end loader for a local towing company. Max doesn’t let

anything get in his way!

ALEX SAYS THANKS

Alex aged 17, is a recent graduate from Caboolture Special School. At school his favourite subject was always horticulture. One day Alex and his dad Bill came up with the idea of setting up a business called “You Grow it, We MOW it”, so that Alex could continue to enjoy his passion for horticulture. The business was set up with the help of Centacare’s My Future: My Life initiative.

Alex’s father applied for support of $2000 and this enabled Alex to purchase gardening equipment and a trailer to start his own lawn mowing business.

On a recent job on acreage property that he completed to an extremely high standard Alex finished off by saying “dad, look at my masterpiece” with a beaming smile.

Bill is very proud of his son in setting up his own business and he is very grateful for the assistance that My Future: My Life has provided him in achieving this.

“By Alex going into business it has made me feel that I am doing the best to help him and give him something to aim at and I have My Future: My Life to thank for that”, said Bill.

Our visionLeading social change, strengthening

families, supporting people and communities in the spirit of the Gospel

We value • human dignity

• respect for the individual • justice and equality • working together

• interdependence and community • transparency and accountability

• diversity.

Centacare

1300 CENTACARE (1300 236 822) www.centacarebrisbane.net.au

e: centacare@bne.catholic.net.au

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