October 14, 2018

Respite Program Celebrates 10 Years

The Boost 4 Kids Program, which provides overnight respite for children and young people with disability and complex medical support needs, celebrated 10 years of service last week.

The program is the result of a long term partnership between Gateways Support Services, Barwon Health and GenU who have worked together to support families caring for children with a disability and complex medical needs by offering overnight out of home care at ‘The Lodge’ respite house in Ocean Grove.    Families, support staff and volunteers came together last Saturday to celebrate and enjoy a relaxed day of fun activities.

In 2007 community support organisations and agencies from across the Geelong and Barwon region recognised the high need for respite for families with children with complex medical needs who had limited access to other forms of “out of home” respite.   In March of that year, 15 agencies met to discuss setting up a respite program for children with complex needs.  A committee was formed and this was the beginning of a successful partnership.  In 2008 Boost 4 Kids began, Gateways Support Services agreed to be the lead agency, responsible for managing the program, Barwon Health agreed to provide paediatric nursing personnel and Karingal St Laurence (now GenU) agreed to provide a venue for service operation.

Today Boost 4 Kids continues to be overseen by a Committee consisting of representatives from Barwon Health (Paediatric Ward), GenU, Gateways Support Services and a parent representative acting as the Chairperson.

The program aims to provide families with a break from their demanding caring role and to provide enjoyable activities, social opportunities and high quality care for children and young people (0-18 years).  Participants require an NDIS plan and quote to access the program.    Find out more about Boost 4 Kids or contact us.

Pictured (left to right): Kerrie Quirk- Chairperson Boost 4 Kids, Carole Perrett – Gateways volunteer, Carol Fogg – Coordinator Boost 4 Kids-Gateways, Cathy Justice – Support Worker-Gen U,  and Bronwyn Sizer- Manager Individual Support & Recreation-Gateways.