Caloundra Link

Coordinator - Julie Rogers

Caloundra Link supports families who care for another family member with a disability. The service offers support and recreation to a limited number of families and is committed to involving families in all areas of decision making including service development and individual planning.

Caloundra Link offers a very flexible range of respite services by providing an annual allocation of funds to each of the families who are accepted into the program. This allocation is based on relative need and can be used to access:

Centre based respite at either Pandanus Guest House, our respite house at Currimundi or any other Disability Services approved service
In home respite in either the support staff member’s home or the family’s home
Out of home respite including recreation options that foster community inclusion, social interaction and the building of social networks

Families can "buy into" other activities the Scheme offers using their allocation from Caloundra Link.

A range of other respite options can be considered as long as they fall within funding guidelines.

“Discretionary Funding” is also available to purchase specialised equipment, health related items or other items that relate specifically to the needs of the family member.

Allocations made to families may vary year to year according to individual need and no guarantee can be made about the ongoing support or the level of support this service is able to offer.

There is currently a waiting list for this program. In order to acces it families must first register with Disability Services and indicate that they would like to acces this service.

Families must live in Caloundra City, Mooloolaba, Buderim, areas south of Palmwoods' main street, Maroochydore, Pacific Paradise, Mudjimba or Coolum and must be caring for another family member in their home who has a disability and who is aged up to 65 years. In addition the person must:

Have “a permanent intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment; or a combination of impairments that result in a substantial reduction of the person’s capacity for communication, social interaction, learning, mobility or self care or management “(Disability Services Act 2006) and,
Be likely to have a high need for support over the long term.

Also, to be eligible the family must:

Not be receiving ongoing or recurrent funding from any other source for respite or similar support and,
Not be in receipt of a compensation settlement such as an insurance payout,
Complete and sign our Policy Manual including our "Code of Conduct" and our CSTDA form.

Means Testing

The Scheme is committed to supporting families who have a member with a disability and who have the greatest need. We believe that families who, because of the high need for support of their family member, are also financially disadvantaged require the greatest level of support.

When a family is being considered for intake into the Caloundra Link program they will be asked to complete our income assessment form to inform us about their level of income. Families whose combined gross income is above $80,000 per annum and who are otherwise eligible for entry to a program may be able to receive reduced levels of support in these programs.

If you would like more information about our means testing, contact our office.