ARC Host Family Program
To facilitate positive experiences and lifestyles for families/carers, through the provision of Host Family Support, which recognises the individuality and dignity of each person with a disability and respects the uniqueness and diversity of each family.
Target Group
This Service aims to provide support to families/carers living in the Far North region, which include a person who has a significant intellectual and/or physical disability, as per the Qld Disability Services Act 1992, until age becomes the person's primary disability.
Aims
- To provide host family support to families/carers in order that they are assisted to have a break from the constant care of an individual who has a disability.
- To respond to the needs of families/carers and consumers in the Far North Queensland region with a practical & reliable service.
- To provide the person who has a disability with positive experiences based either within the host family's home or local community.
- To provide support to families/carers of people with disabilities in ways which assist them to continue in their caring role.
- To carefully match natural & host families, to provide on-going support & monitoring to both parties.
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing - National Respite for Carers Program.
Service Details
The ARC Host Family Program is an alternative form of relief care for families/carers. This program aims to support people who have disabilities and their family/carer by providing support in the homes of volunteer host families who are monitored by the organisation. Support is tailored to meet the needs of individuals & their families, whilst utilising the natural talents and abilities of host families.
A host family or individual, who is overseen by the Coordinator, provides support. Families are matched using a range of criteria and training is provided in relation to specific needs as required.
Personal details are recorded using input from natural families and provided to hosts so that appropriate support can be delivered. This program aims to continue strategies and routines used in the family home so that continuity of care is sustained.
We liaise closely with both the family and the individual who has a disability to ensure that the support we are offering is appropriate to their needs, and encourage service users to communicate with us freely about their changing needs and any concerns, which they may have.
