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Cooinda Disability Service – Supporting People with a Disability

Cooinda  Disability  Service  provides  a  diverse array  of  education,  training  and  employment opportunities for its clients. 

The   Service   is   committed   to   supported employees having a ‘voice’ in decision making applicable to their   employment.   Cooinda Disability Services focuses on participation and integration for supported employees and clients into the wider health service and community at large.

Mission Statement

Cooinda offers eligible adults quality life skills support   and   employment   training   in the attainment of a valued role in the Community.

Vision

Cooinda will  provide innovative programs to assist consumers to achieve specific goals in a variety of activities developed to enhance their personal goals, skill acquisition and their ability to integrate into services and facilities in the Community.

Objectives

  1. To empower and give choice to people with barriers to employment.
  2. To promote a positive image within the Community.
  3. To ensure realistic outcomes for supported employees.
  4. To provide services and programs which will promote life skills and training, including personal development and integration into the Community.

Supported Employment

The Commonwealth funded business services, Oliver’s Café & Kiosk, Luv-a-Duck Breeding Shed and Snappy Seconds and individualised options at the Service offer supported employment options for employees. 

Oliver’s Café & Kiosk

Oliver’s Café enables the supported employees to prepare meals and serve customers – under the guidance of experienced chef’s and disability support staff.  The Café has recently undergone a facelift and would not look out of place among the many cafes in any city.

Luv-a-Duck Breeding Shed

A new partnership with Luv-a-Duck, an international company breeding and raising ducks for the Australian and Export culinary and hospitality markets, has lead to an extremely innovative venture to provide diversity of employment for our supported employees.  A contract between West Wimmera Health Service and Luv-a-Duck was entered into to operate a “Duck Shed” where supported employees maintain several thousand ducks which lay over 2,000 eggs a day.

Snappy Seconds

Snappy Seconds is a retail outlet for “up-market” second hand goods. Based in central Nhill, retail skills can be learnt and developed at Snappy Seconds. With a large customer base, Snappy’s provides a community integration work program.

Adult Day Service

The State funded Day Programs emphasise the development of life skills, independence and to encourage acceptance and participation in community life. 

Supports include: Futures for Young Adults, Life Skills, Literacy and Numeracy, Sensory, Advocacy, the Gym program, Community outings, the Boutique Market Garden and Therapy programs including water, animal, speech and massage. Access to the Community   is promoted and assisted through programs which include shopping, banking, refuse collection, helping at senior citizens’ luncheons and the local show and sports programs.

Eligibility Criteria

Cooinda’s service is offered to adults who are recipients of the Disability Support Pension or any person who has a barrier to employment.

You are eligible to work at Cooinda if: you want to work & need help to work, you are a person with a barrier to employment and needs help to find and/or keep work, you are eligible for/or are receiving the Disability Support Pension, you have been referred by yourself, from another agency, eg Centrelink and you agree to the employment conditions of West Wimmera Health Service.

Cooinda applies non-discriminatory eligibility criteria with respect to age, gender, race, culture, religion and disability consistent with funding obligations, applicable legislation and the purpose of the service.

Financial Considerations:

Supported employee Wages

Cooinda uses the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service (CRS) to assess a supported employee to determine the wage that should be paid for that individual.

Day Service Attendance Fees

The charging of fees for day placement is a state-wide policy.

Attendance Fee: A $3.00 per day attendance fee is charged for Day Service clients.

Transport Fee: A transport fee is charged according to the distance travelled. Transport collection is provided for Day Service clients and will be considered for supported employees.

Are You Interested In More Information?

If you are interested in learning more about Cooinda Disability Service please do not hesitate to contact Cooinda Disability Service staff on (03) 53911095 who will be able to explain the entry and assessment procedures for both the Adult Day Service and Supported Employment.