Interchange History

 

Interchange was initiated in 1983 by a parent group in 1983/1984 looking for an alternative to centre based respite care.  Because of difficulties in attracting funding, only a small pilot project was run for several years, mainly in the Eastern suburbs and Hills area.  The program was very successful and attracted funding to continue and today about 80 children arevisiting Host families on a regular basis,

In 1993, a small peer support program was established to support young people to participate in typical teenage activities in the community.  Approximately 80 young people are matched through this program.

In 2004 the Great Break program was initiiated based on HACC funding. This program provides opportunties for  small gropus of young people to particiapte in a range of social and recreational activities. Approximately 130 teenagers and young adults participate in this program.