CPLQ Annual Report final art.indd - Cerebral Palsy League

There were a number of staffing changes with OccupationalTherapist, Deb Coutts moving to full-time, and an additionalPhysiotherapist, Andrew Griffin transferring to the Gold Coastfrom Wide Bay. Speech Therapist, Alana Store moved temporarilyto Queensland Health and Jacqui McCosker joined the team ona 12-month secondment from the Education Department. Theteam worked together to find creative ways of managing the highcaseload and increasing demands.More than 50 families in the region received in-home respite on aregular basis. The team concentrated on undertaking riskassessments and transfer documentation for children weighingmore than 16kg who receive in-home respite, to reduce the risk ofcarer back injuries.The team continued to service approximately 25 children innorthern New South Wales on a fee-for-service basis. In responseto requests, two overnight outreach trips to the Ballina districtwere undertaken, funded by Northern Rivers Health Authority.This provided an opportunity for the team to assess children intheir home environments. In April the team ran a highly successfulworkshop for Tweed Valley Early Childhood Intervention Centre.The workshop introduced a number of families with a newdiagnosis of cerebral palsy, to the different therapies and whatthey can expect as their child develops.The Gold Coast region was successful in being allocated $25,000recurrent funding from Disability Services Queensland (DSQ) forrespite enhancement. This provided much needed Saturdayprograms for six to 18 year olds, 48 weeks of the year. The projectcalled "Super Saturdays" is aimed at children with high physicalsupport needs and is a collaboration with Gold Coast Recreationand Sport who provide trained recreational staff. A steeringcommittee made up of parents and clients was set up to plan andevaluate the program. Eighteen young people with cerebral palsyand related disabilities participated in the first year.ADULT SERVICESThere were a number of comings and goings in Adult Services.Sadly, one of the accommodation clients, Jodie Walton, passedaway after a short illness at the age of 23. Two clients moved toother parts of Queensland but remain clients of the League, andtwo new clients joined the service. There are still a number of adultclients living with family on the coast who have not received anyaccommodation or post school funding.The accommodation house at Arundel, which was purpose built forthe League by a developer, was transferred from private ownershipto Public Housing in May 2004. This change will ensure security oftenure for the four residents and will reduce their rents by almosthalf, which is great news.A successful planning day was held with adult clients and staffwho use the day program at Labrador. The new coordinatorwas instrumental in re-focussing the program towards meetingindividual goals and injecting some new energy and ideas intothe activities. A regular music program with a volunteer musictherapist has begun, which is enjoyed by all.Jenny Johnson, an adult client, is the new regional representativeon the State Client Consultative Committee and has taken on hernew role with enthusiasm. Jenny will represent the views of GoldCoast clients and report back on discussions.LABRADOR HOLIDAY UNITSRenovations continued at the Labrador Holiday units, howeverthey slowed recently due to the shortage of finishing tradesmenon the Gold Coast. Three units are completed. On the outside,three push button electric barbeques were installed, the poolresurfaced, new pool motor and salt water chlorinator installedand a new solar heating system put on the roof. Shade sails werealso erected to provide day round shade to half the pool. A largepergola replaced the wading pool and the asbestos cement sheetboundary fences were removed and replaced with timber fencing,hugely improving the appearance of the complex.ACCESS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE GOLD COASTAccess Employment Gold Coast relocated from the Keebra ParkCentre to a new location at 34 High Street, Southport. This allowedsome reorganisation within the office and provided the socialworker a separate office for confidential counselling.Wide Bay BurnettIt was another busy year for the Wide Bay Burnett region, withChild and Family Support Services doubling their new referrals. Thisincrease reflected the region's growth, particularly in Hervey Bay.CHILD AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICESOutreach support continued for children and families acrossthe Burnett area of the region, as well as in Bundaberg andMaryborough. The region's inability to attract a physiotherapistto fill a vacancy placed additional pressures on the Therapy team,particularly the Coordinator and Occupational Therapist.The region's Social Worker was successful in applying for fundingapplications to Disability Services Queensland (DSQ), with 18 familiesreceiving a mix of recurrent and non-recurrent funding. Thisenabled families to obtain wheelchairs, special needs strollers andbathroom modifications.Social Worker, Megan Goodall provided leadership in Fraser CoastSibnet, a group who support siblings of children with a disability.The group was successful in obtaining $26,000 from the Departmentof Family and Community Services through the "Stronger Familiesand Communities Strategy". A part-time Coordinator was employedto organise regular activities for 40 to 50 children. The activities,including adventure camps, trips to Australia Zoo and UnderwaterWorld, proved very popular and were a great benefit to siblingsand families.Bundaberg teenager, Chantel Wolfenden was selected to swim atthe Paralympics in Athens. Chantel is already a multi-world-recordholder and the region's best wishes go with her to Greece.For the second year in a row, a family from Kingaroy put in awonderful effort fundraising through the All Queensland Awards.Karl Richardson was a participant in the Awards and he, with hisparents Annette and Caleb, worked very hard to fundraise despitethe many demands on their time. The family travelled to Brisbanefor Finals Week activities including the Gala Presentation in June.A big thankyou to the Richardsons!9