SCENE AT SHARE CARE Spring 2010 |
CEO Chit Chat
Welcome to the revamped newsletter for Share Care. The newsletter will be going out each season. This being spring, and what wonderful weather we have had for the start of this season.
Over the last 10 months Share Care has gone through a number of changes. The first being the Support Centre fire.
The 28th November 2009 was a horrible day for Share Care, our carers, and their children/young adults.
However without a centre Share Care continued on and that is a credit to the staff, board, carers, local community, businesses and other disability service providers. The centre is now being rebuilt and cross your fingers we will be back up and running from the new and very much improved centre in November. The new centre will have an outdoor playground, an amazing sensory room and lots more. So look out for the invitation to the family opening day.
This year also saw the renovation and reopening of the respite house at Cartwright. This was due to a very generous donation from a philanthropic foundation. Overnight stays at the house have proven to be very popular, with most weekends being booked out.
In January this year Share Care started a new process of allocating respite to carers. The allocation has ensured that respite is allocated in a transparent way and I thank families who have assisted us in transitioning to the new process. As most would be aware we had some bumpy times throughout the process, but happy to say the process is now running smoothly. This has also enabled Share Care to allocate 624 respite places per fortnight and increase services to 75 new families. However this still does not met the needs of all our carers.
Share Care will continue working with Government Departments and peak bodies to increase funding to better meet the needs of carers. However the issue of limited respite places continue to impact on our carers and one family has taken on the challenge of being heard and making a difference for all carers at Share Care. But they can not do it alone and are asking for your voice. Please see details below.
Take care and I look forward to seeing you all at the Annual General Meeting and/or Support Centre opening.
Sherie Avalos
NEWS:
Parents & Carers for better Respite Services in South Western Sydney
If you are interested in being part of a group seeking better respite services for ourselves and our children, please contact John Lupton 9600 7126 (after hours) or via email on
Individually our task is huge but if we band together the task will be made easier. We need to be the squeaky wheel so that our elected members of parliament realise our plight and help solve this urgent problem.
Share Care Membership:
Make a commitment and become a member for only $3.00. Membership entitles you to vote and you will receive a quarterly newsletter that will keep you up to date with what is happening within Share Care.
Annual General Meeting:
Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting for Share Care will be on Monday 8th November at 7.00pm. Venue to be advised closer to the meeting.
If you are interested in becoming a board member please contact Sherie Avalos on 9734 9888 or
Program Start Times:
There are allotted start times for all of the programs provided by Share Care.
Prior to this time, Support Workers are at the centres early preparing for the program. Therefore, children arriving early are to be supervised by the parent or carer until the program commences.
Share Care workers are not able to purchase take-away food for your child, unless it is a specified part of the activity. Please remember to pack morning tea, lunch and plenty to drink. It is best to pack a cold lunch as it can be difficult to heat food, especially on outings.
Share Care has a ‘No Peanuts Policy’ so please remember this when you are packing food for your child.
Unable to Attend:
If your child is unable to attend the program, please contact:
· Drew Sullivan (Monday to Friday) or
· Emma Preston (Saturday/Sunday)
on 9608 8570, so that another family can utilise the spot for the week. Please feel free to leave a message on the answering machine.
Contribution Fees:
Share Care has a policy where all parents and/or carers are asked to pay a small contribution fee for accessing the programs.
All money received is put directly back into our programs to assist our staff in ensuring the children have a very enjoyable and safe time while with Share Care.
The contributions are used in a variety of ways including program equipment, entry fees to venues, staff training and vehicle maintenance.
The contribution fees are voluntary.
Share Care will not deny any family access to the programs if they cannot pay some or the entire fee.
Summary of Fees:
Program | Rates |
Weekend Centre Based | $10 a day |
After School Care / Teen Time | $10 a day |
In Home (Weekday/Weekend) | $2 an hour maximum of $10 a week |
Individual Centre Based | $2 per hour maximum of $10 a week |
Emergency | No fee |
Holiday Program | $5 Centre Based a day $10 Excursion a day |
Playgroup | $3 a day |
Overnight | $15 a night |
There will be NO Programs on Saturday 2.10.2010 and Saturday 9.10.2010.
ONLY YARP AND RADI will be operating on Sunday 3.10.2010 and Sunday 10.10.2010.