Gippsland Collective Support Services

19/11/2025

19/11/2025

Want to drop in and find out about self advocacy in Latrobe Valley? We have a Speak Up Drop In session on Tuesday 9th December at Traralgon Library. Drop by between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm. This is also our Christmas Party, so we'll be playing games and having fun too! 😁

16/11/2025

🌟 𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹… 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁? As a parent or carer, it can feel overwhelming.

You want them to have purpose… confidence… independence… But you also know they may not yet have the coping skills or support to step into a job on their own. And that’s a scary feeling.

You’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate this chapter by yourself. 💛

Our 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 program was created for young people exactly like yours — those who just need the right guidance, structure, and belief behind them to thrive.

✨ We help build confidence step by step
✨ Teach everyday life skills for real independence
✨ Develop work readiness in a gentle, supportive way
✨ Prepare participants for both open and supported employment
✨ Celebrate every achievement, big or small

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 is more than a program — it’s a bridge between school and adulthood, designed to give young people the time, space, and support they need to flourish.

If you’re worried about what comes after school, we’re here to walk this journey with you and your young person. Their future can be bright — they just need the right start. 🌱

📩 Reach out to us today to learn more or chat with our friendly team.

30/10/2025

Australia’s higher-risk weather season is here.

The National Emergency Management Agency is holding a special briefing for disability service providers, to help organisations be prepared for emergencies and keep participants and staff safe.

📅 3 Nov | 11am AEDT | Microsoft Teams

📩 Email HRWS@nema.gov.au to register.

29/10/2025

🚨 UPCOMING ACTIVITY – Siblings Camp 🚨

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Siblings Camp to Waratah!
This is an event you won’t want to miss! 🎉

🗓 Date: Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th January 2026
📍 Where: Waratah Beach Camp
🎯 Who's it for? Open to siblings of active Interchange Gippsland participants. Must be 10-17 years old with a caring role.
👥 RSVP: follow the link below, email admin@icg.asn.au or call 1300 736 765
https://forms.office.com/r/Wvq0UAZcmv

📲 Subscribe to our mailing list [http://eepurl.com/hWhpY9] for updates!

Let’s come together and make memories that last! 💙

29/10/2025

We’re strengthening the identity verification process for providers accessing NDIS Commission portals.

From 7 December 2025, providers will begin transitioning from PRODA to Digital ID (myID) and RAM to access our systems. This upgrade will help keep participants, providers and the NDIS safe from scams, fraud and data breaches.

✅ myID is the Australian Government’s Digital ID app.

✅ RAM is an authorisation service that lets nominated staff act securely on behalf of a provider online, when linked with their Digital ID (using myID app).

Providers can continue using PRODA to verify their identity during the transition period, which ends 30 September 2026, however we recommend setting up Digital ID (myID) and RAM early to avoid disruption.

Please note: This change will not replace NDIS Worker Screening Checks. Self-managed participants will continue using PRODA to access our portals until further notice.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4obTvsV

27/10/2025

Happy OT week!

🔹️Occupational Therapy Week: 27 Otober - 2nd November 2025🔹️

This year’s theme, “Occupational Therapy in Action”, celebrates the creativity, problem-solving, and compassion at the heart of OT practice, that helps people live their lives to the fullest.

A huge thank-you to our incredible OT team for their dedication, skill, and care in making a real difference every day!

27/10/2025

Information about the NDIS is available in 17 languages including Auslan.

Languages include Arabic, Assyrian, Auslan, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Hakha Chin, Hazaragi, Hindi, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi and Vietnamese.

Learn more at 💻 https://ow.ly/rt0i50XccwK

22/10/2025

High-quality behaviour support plans start with thorough, well-informed behaviour support assessments.

Our policy guidance on effective behaviour support assessments sets clear expectations for specialist behaviour support providers and NDIS behaviour support practitioners.

You can access the guidance on developing high-quality behaviour support assessments, including functional behaviour assessments (FBAs), here: https://bit.ly/3HkciSi.

22/10/2025

Stay informed and safe 🌧️

This warning has been updated. For the latest see https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts?stateName=Victoria

Severe Weather Warning for damaging, locally destructive winds.

Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Issued at: 10:39am, Wed 22 Oct 2025

Where:
For people in Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera Forecast Districts.

Locations which may be affected include Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera Forecast Districts.

When:
Early to mid afternoon.

Situation:
A deep low pressure system entering western Bass Strait will continue to move rapidly eastwards through Bass Strait today, then weaken and clear eastwards into the Tasman Sea Wednesday night. Vigorous northwest to southwesterly winds are expected to impact much of Victoria during Wednesday, particularly with showers and thunderstorms.

Impacts:
94 km/h wind gust recorded at Warrnambool Airport at 10:26 am.
93 km/h wind gust recorded at Mt William at 3:39 am.

What you should do:

Victoria State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next warning is due to be issued by 6pm.