In 2003, Aspect was approached by
a group of concerned citizens and service providers
living on the Far North Coast. The organisation began
discussions with this group to better understand
the particular issues the community faced as it attempted
to meet the needs of people with autism in this rapidly
expanding region of NSW.
In early 2004 it was agreed between Aspect
and the local group that the organisation should
undertake a community consultation on the Far North
Coast to more properly assess the needs of the community
of people affected by autism. This information-gathering
project was funded from the organisation’s
own resources. As a result of this consultation and
the subsequent report, a successful submission was
made to the Federal Government for funding of almost $1 million
for Aspect’s
BUILDING BLOCKS® Early Intervention for Autism to assist
families with young children with autism in the Lismore,
Ballina and Tweed regions.
The BUILDING BLOCKS® program has been in development for
more than 20 years, and employs current best practice.
It has a proven track record to help children with autism and
related disabilities, and their families and service providers.
The need for autism-specific services on the Far North Coast
is pressing and this funding will enable us to provide early
intervention programs for 120 children and their families over
a four year period, together with a resource centre
and other support programs.
Starting Blocks™
Delivery of Aspect’s Starting Blocks™ program to
children and their parents on the Far North Coast
commenced on Monday 14 March, 2005. The program is
delivered in partnership with early intervention
providers in Ballina, the Tweed area, Casino, Byron
Bay and Lismore. There is tremendous enthusiasm from
local families and professionals to work collaboratively
with the organisation to deliver these crucial early intervention
services.
"Someone to turn to..."™ Parent to Parent Support
Network
If you think this service could assist you, would
like more information about it or are interested
in volunteering, please contact the Far North
Coast Centre for Autism via any of the methods below.
Contact Jodi Rodgers
(co-ordinator) or Corinne Cunningham (Early Intervention Specialist)
on:
Far North Coast Centre for Autism
PO Box 937, Alstonville NSW 2477
Street:
1/106 Main Street, Alstonville NSW 2477
The Far North Coast Centre for Autism is an
Early Childhood — Invest to
Grow initiative, funded
by the Australian Government under the Stronger Families
and Communities Strategy
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