Growth
MAJOR MILESTONES IN THE GROWTH OF INTERCHANGE OUTER EAST
1980s
1980s
- 1982 - Interchange Outer East formed by parents, interested community members and professionals. Volunteer Host Carer Program commences.
- 1985 - Interchange Outer East becomes an Incorporated body.
- 1990 - School holiday programs and children's camps become IOE services
- 1992 - Family camp, Sibling Support program commences. Case management and Brokerage pilot service.
- 1993 - Host Program reaches 70 matches. Social Support activities for Mums and Dads
- 1994 - Youth Group, Making a Difference program and In Home Support service commence
- 1995 - Host Program peaks at 90 matches. Young Adults program and Specialised Care service commence. Early Choice Program. Management of individual support packages.
- 1996 - Weekend program for children with ADD/ADHD
- 1999 - Balance Program, a FFYA day service for young adults commences. IOE becomes an associate member of the Outer East Primary Care Partnership
- 2000 - Adult Recreation service commences. Interchange Outer East Op. Shop opens
- 2001 - New Management structure implemented. 3 pilot programs trialed through the Respite Development Project - Children's Recreation Program, School Holiday Outreach and School Holiday Coordination.
- 2002 - Recurrent funding for all pilot programs. Purchase of a portable for growing Balance program. Development of reference groups to assist in service planning.
- 2003 - Balance continues to expand requiring 2 more portables. Review of Interchange Outer East undertaken by the Department of Human Service with very favourable results. IOE turns 21.
- 2004 - Balance Business Enterprises commences with 18 participants engaged in work oriented programs.
- 2005 - Inaugural IOE Sports Week and Balance Art Exhibition. Successful development and trial of ‘Do- It- Yourself Kit’. Over 170 people attend Annual Family Camp. Over 700 families in Melbourne’s outer east supported by IOE. Interchange is registered as a Homes First provider.
- 2006 - 'Community Balance' builds onto existing Balance service with a greater focus on community involvement. Homes First grows 177% and Support & Choice grows by over 1000%. New training and meetings portable added to premises. 10 - 13 Recreation Program begins. After Work Social Program for young adults begins. High Energy group funding established. Interchange Launch held to showcase IOE programs and services and introduce new website. Presentation by IOE Volunteer Coordinator, Tara Cantwell, to International Respite Conference in Paris on the value of working with young volunteers. Summer Holiday Partnership is formed between IOE, Scope, ERLS and EACH.
- 2007 - Completion of family survey with positive feedback on service quality. Continued support from trusts and corporations, particularly St. George Foundation, Clayton Utz and Jack Brockoff Foundation. New shopfront base developed for Community Balance. Outdoor Education Program developed within the Balance program. Continued expansion of the Flexicare program. First teenage sibling support group formed. Principles of Person Centred Planning embraced with regard to Interchange programs and services. Good 2 Great training undertaken with the aim of raising the standard of the entire organisation to the highest level possible.
- 2008 - St. George funded camping program for children with disabilities and their siblings begins. Balance program restructured to include another community based program 'Link'. Development of a 10 year plan for Interchange
... and we just keep growing ... identifying and responding to families' needs ...