EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION

 

Aspect Early Childhood Development Program

437 Olive St
PO Box 3176, Albury, NSW, 2640
Ph: (02) 60573714
Mobile: 0419168690

Target Population
Children 0-6 years of age living in NSW approximately within 100km radius of Albury.

Eligibility
Children aged 0-6 years, showing early signs of autism or similar developmental concerns but are yet to receive a formal diagnosis.

Referral
Complete referral form or contact Aspect Early Childhood Development Program in Albury (see phone numbers above)

What happens after referral?
Family will be sent a letter to inform them that a referral has been received for their child. An Early Intervention Specialist will contact the family to discuss referral and will organise for screening to begin.

Services Provided
The key elements of Aspect Early Childhood Development Program include:

1. Community education to increase the understanding and awareness of early indicators of autism for families, health professionals and early childhood services.

2. Early screening using validated screening tools to determine the likelihood of the child having an autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay.

3. Early support providing short term intensive intervention, guidance and assistance to children, their families, and community service providers. This service is provided within the family home or early childhood setting and actively involves the family and key support workers.

4. Transition support assisting the child and family to access and engage with early childhood intervention services or mainstream early childhood education and care settings. Program staff work with the family to develop a plan to guide transition.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00 pm

Cost of Service
There is no charge for this service.

 

NSW Department of Education and Communities (DEC)
Hume Public School Early Intervention Support Class

Hume Public School
Parkland Crescent, Lavington 2641
Ph: (02) 6025 9976 (class) or
(02) 6025 1850 (Hume Public School)

Target Population
Children from age 3 to school entry who have a disability.

Eligibility
A child is eligible if they have been assessed by a person with relevant qualifications as having intellectual, sensory, physical, social/emotional or multiple impairments.

Referral
The family and/or Early Childhood Service provider identify the need for access to a support class (early intervention) service. A referral form is requested from Hume Early Intervention or Student Services Consultant (521 Macauley St Albury). The referral form is completed by parents and Early Childhood service, copies of assessments attached, and returned to the Disability Programs Consultant. Click here for Referral Form

What happens after referral?
If no assessments have occurred, the District Guidance Officer (DGO), DEC will be requested to contact families to arrange an initial assessment. This addresses the child’s educational and therapy needs, all medical and health needs where necessary and family support requirements.
Once eligibility has been established the referral is considered at a DEC placement panel meeting (held 4 times a year). If access to the Early Intervention service is approved, an offer to the family in writing is made. The family is invited to Hume School to complete enrolment procedures, discuss times of attendance, and other details about the service.

Services Provided
1. Sessional Groups – Children attend up to 2 sessions per week depending upon their needs. The maximum number of children at these sessions range from 5-8 depending upon level of individual support needs. These sessions supplement regular Early Childhood attendance.

2. Resource Support in Licensed Early Childhood Settings – The Early Intervention support teacher provides support to eligible children and their teacher/aide and locates materials and resources to support the child in the following settings
• Pre-schools which are licensed
• Long day-care centres which are licensed
• Family day-care services which are licensed
• Local government-funded programs.

3. Parent Support – Parent information sessions are organised which provide information to families to assist them with the development of their child.

4. Transition to School Support – The Early Intervention Support Class Teacher assists with setting up an early learning support team to plan for transition to school procedures.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00 pm during school term

Cost of Service
A contribution levy of $2.00 per session

 

Koori Kindermanna Preschool

684 Daniel Street, Albury 2640
Ph: (02) 6025 5802

Target Population
80% of the children are from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background. Children attending the pre-school program are aged 3 to school age. Children attending the playgroup are aged 0-6.

Eligibility
• Children from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background or;
• Children with additional needs or;
• Children at risk.

Referral
Children can be referred by any other service, by community members or a family can self refer.

What happens after referral?
A waiting list form must be filled in, and a home visit will take place to enrol the child.

Services Provided
• Pre-school program
• Bus pick up and drop home
• Nutrition program – morning tea and lunch
• Home Liaison
• Playgroup

Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am to 3:30pm
Playgroup – Wednesday

Cost of Service
There is no charge for this service.

 

KU Inclusion Support Agency

Ph: 0408271263
Fax: 02 60408450

Target Population
The Inclusion Support Program supports eligible child care services to create high quality care environments that are inclusive of all children.

Eligibility
Australian Government approved or funded services including Long day care, Family day care, Outside school hours care, In home care, Multicultural Aboriginal Child Care services, Mobile children’s services, Occasional care and Flexible/ multifunctional services.
The Three Priority Groups are:
• Children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including refugee children;
• Children with ongoing high support needs, including children with disabilities; and
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The childcare service that the child's family accesses must be a commonwealth funded service that receives a childcare benefit.

Referral
Eligible services can contact their local ISA on 0408271263.

What happens after referral?
Inclusion Support Facilitators work directly with the child care services to support staff in a variety of ways such as:
• Helping with inclusion readiness planning and the development of Service Support Plans;
• Facilitating skills development;
• Helping services to access specialised equipment; and
• Linking services with other child care professionals, community groups and organisations.

Services Provided
Assistance with:
• Developing an Assisted Inclusion Readiness Plan
• Developing a Service Support Plan
• Applying for Flexible Support Funding
• Applying for the Inclusion Support Subsidy
• Accessing the Bicultural Support Pool
• Accessing the Specialist Equipment Pool
• Accessing the General Resources Library
• Contacting the Indigenous and Professional Support Unit

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am - 5:30pm

Cost of Services
Funded by the Australian Government

 

PlayConnect Playgroup

Glenecho Neighbourhood House, Burrows Rd, Albury 2640
Ph: Playgroup NSW 1800171882
www.playgroupnsw.com.au

Target Population
The PlayConnect Playgroups are facilitated playgroups specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ASD like symptoms aged 0-6 years and their families. PlayConnect Playgroups also provide support to parents who are not able to access other ASD specific services as they are waiting on a diagnosis, or do not fully meet the criteria for diagnosis. Siblings of children with ASD are also welcome to attend PlayConnect Playgroups.

Eligibility
As per above

Referral
There is no need for referral and families with children with ASD-like systems can join a PlayConnect Playgroup by contacting Playgroup NSW toll free on 1800171882 or register online at www.playgroupnsw.com.au.

What happens after referral?
Families are welcome to attend playgroup and meet the development worker.

Services Provided
The PlayConnect Playgroups are facilitated by a PlayConnect Development Worker who has experience and qualifications in working with families and children in community development, early childhood education and/or playgroups. Each playgroup has access to an ASD professional. During the session, parents, carers and children participate in a variety of play activities and experiences. The funding from the Australian Government enables the families to attend a PlayConnect Playgroup at minimal cost. It is important to note that PlayConnect is NOT a specialist therapeutic provider. However PlayConnect Development Workers can provide families with information about specialist services for children with ASD in their local area.

Opening Hours
Tuesday 9:30am - 11:30am during NSW School Terms

Cost of Services
There is no charge for this service.

 

Woodstock Early Childhood Intervention Service

16 Rosborough Crt
Thurgoona Park 2640
PO Box 7374 East Albury, NSW 2640
Ph: (02) 60431190 Fax: (02) 60433900
Email: rachael@woodstocksupport.com.au

Target Population
Early Intervention: Children from birth to 6 years with a developmental delay or disability and their families.
Helping Children with Autism: Children from birth to 7 years of age with an ASD

Eligibility
Early Intervention: Children from birth to 6 years with a developmental delay or disability and their families (Families need to be residents of Albury, Greater Hume or Corowa Shires)
Helping Children with Autism: Children from birth to 7 years of age with an ASD (NSW and Victorian families eligible)

Referral
Referral can be completed by anyone (paediatrician, family, allied health, preschool). Click here for referral form

What happens after referral?
Our Family Support Worker will make contact with the family and set up an intake meeting where initial contact is made and information can be gathered. Following this intake, a play-based assessment is conducted with the child, family and early intervention team. Placement is then discussed at this time with the family.

Services Provided
* Early Intervention groups. Click here for more information.
* Speech pathology
* Physiotherapy
* Occupational therapy
* Hydrotherapy
* Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) services. Click here for more information.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Cost of Service
A small annual fee is charged quarterly.

 

Other Early Childhood Services

 

Albury District Community Based Children's Services
www.alburyschildren.com.au

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A number of different programs are available to support the successful inclusion of children with additional needs within mainstream early childhood settings.

To find out more about these various State and Federally funding programs, please talk to the coordinator/director of your local early childhood service.

Services which can access this funding include
• Family Day Care
• Occasional care
• Long Day Care
• Preschool and mobile children's services

When it is time for children to attend school, funding is also available for after school and vacation care programs.

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