Open Options

Open Options is a service that provides, promotes and advances individualised community participation, recreation and skills development opportunities for people with disAbilities.

The Open Options program caters for the needs of two separate groups:

School Leavers:

• with a permanent disAbility.
• with DSC Post School Options Funding.
• who identify the Hills Community Support Group Inc. (HCSG) as preferred provider.

and

Aged People with disabilities who have no other day option opportunities

What do participants do on the Open Options program?

For participants the choices are numerous.
The Alternative To Employment (ATE) program is very new to first time school leavers. They may not have had the opportunity to make informed choices between a number of activities. Therefore our emphasis is on gaining trust by involving them with something they are familiar with. This will usually form the beginning of a good working relationship between staff and participant.
It could be called the 'getting to know you' part of the Open Options Program and it is very valuable. Once the participant is comfortable we start introducing a variety of activities from community participation and recreation to centre based skills development.
This takes place in either a peer group setting or on an individualised basis, depending on the participants particular needs.

Is there a cost involved?

The cost for participants on the Open Options Program:

• a fee of $1.00 per hour is charged.
• excursion costs will be provided by participants depending on the choice of activity. A number of activities will be free of charge.
• a minimal transport fee may be charged depending on whether and where the participant is picked up from and taken home to (this comes through the Mobility Allowance participants receive from Centrelink).

When does the Open Options Program operate?

The program operates five days a week.

Negotiated on an individual basis, this offers:

• a greater choice of community based accessible activities to participants.
• the opportunity for participants to change days for pre-set appointments.

Who do I contact?

For information or to arrange a time to visit HCSG facilities.

	Hills Community Support Group Inc. (HCSG)
	Open Options Program Manager
	Elizabeth Small
	Pinewood; Ph: 9454 5176
	Pinewood; Fax: 9454 5986
	Mobile: 0417 917 448

At Open Options the possibilities are endless. As well as a variety of centre based Skills Development activities, participants can do- canoeing, archery, cooking, stamp collecting, bush walking, cycling, mosaics, sensory room activities, puzzles, cafe outings, bowling, drawing, supergolf, botanic golf, painting, gardening, paper making, computer use, horse riding, and can access places like movies, underwater world (AQWA), zoo, reptile centre, beach, spa, pool, gym, trains, buses, ferry, cat buses, local dams and parks and fitness programs.
Sensory room activities and computer skills are also possible, along with with many more.
Special requests will always be considered.

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