PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a disability and require assistance to live in the community, we can help you access the support you need. Our services are accessible through funded packages, Individual Support Packages, or through the Zest fee-for-service program.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
At UnitingCare Community Options we offer a range of different programs and services to support and assist people with disabilities and their families. Some of our services such as respite or limited support through short-term packages can be accessed almost immediately, while longer-term support options generally require you to lodge a Disability Service Register application with the Department of Human Services and then be assigned a funding package.
Our Zest fee-for-service program offers you the opportunity to choose from our wide range of support options, all of which can be purchased according to what you feel you need. This provides you with the flexibility to decide which services are appropriate for you and for how long. If you are not yet receiving funding, or if you have an Individualised Support Package, this option can be a great way to get exactly the support you need.
SHORT-TERM AND IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
Do you need immediate assistance? If you or your family are in crisis and need immediate assistance in arranging emergency respite, our Commonwealth Respite and Carelink team may be able to help. They can be reached on 1800 059 059.
Thanks to the breadth of services we administer, UnitingCare Community Options is well-placed to provide a variety of immediate or short-term options that can be put in place with only minimal assessments for eligibility required.
If you would like to speak to someone immediately about the options available to you, please contact the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre team. The main aim of the Respite and Carelink Centre is to provide emergency and short-term respite, however our staff have a range of resources available to them and can help you plan for and deal with issues and crises that you may be facing.
If you require, our staff can provide short term case management and coordination to help you deal with any crises you may be facing or to help with changes in circumstances. While these services are geared towards carers, we take an all-of-family approach that often allows us to provide assistance in a way that helps both carer and care recipient.
Find out more about Carer Support options
FLEXIBLE SUPPORT PACKAGES
UnitingCare Community Options recently established a demonstration program for the use and implementation of Flexible Support Packages in Melbourne's eastern metropolitan region. The goal of the project is to provide a responsive, easily accessible program that can assist people to establish their particular needs, plan the type of support they may need, and connect to appropriate community and other services. Flexible support packages are designed to meet a range of episodic, one-off and ongoing disability-related needs with the emphasis of the program being on quickly matching people to the right resources and services.
Find out more about Flexible Support Packages
LONGER-TERM AND HIGHER-LEVEL SUPPORT
Do you require ongoing and higher-level support? Our funded support packages can offer a range of options to help support your needs either through government-funded packages, or through Zest, our fully-flexible, fee-for-service program.
Find out more about higher-level support options
WHY CHOOSE US?
At UnitingCare Community Options, we work with you to help you get the assistance you need at home. Our services focus on your strengths and abilities as well as your needs. We help you imagine the life that you want and then work towards that goal.