Purpose-Passion-People
Balanced Options create choices and opportunities for school leavers and young
adults with a disability to discover what they want to do in life and to work with
others to make this a reality.
Our Focus:

Community participation by providing an environment where people
connect with others and feel they ‘belong’.

Encouraging valued roles, such as work, membership & volunteering.

Developing capacities with people by exploring, strengths & interests.

Supporting autonomy by encouraging choice.

Ideas and experiences typical of other young adults their age.

Working closely with families and all involved.
You can tailor your service to meet what you are looking for:
Through planning and working together you can utilize Futures or ISP funding to
Interchange Outer East is a community
tailor supports to meet your needs and get what you are looking for. Some families
based, non profit organisation that
have chosen this option receiving supports to find real employment, to be involved
provides support to families, who have a
child or young person with a disability,
living in the outer eastern region of
Melbourne.
Information Booklet
in further learning or participation in specific interest groups outside of services.
Group Based Services
Balanced Options run group services from five sites.
Futures (18 to 21 year olds) :
Aims to build trust, confidence and skills with each person in their new environment. Futures
run from our sites in Ferntree Gully and Clarke St, Lilydale. Some programs include:

‘Adventure’ challenge which builds confidence and independence in the outdoors.

Sporting intensives.

Volunteering in community programs, e.g, animal farm work, community radio.

Ongoing learning & skill development.

Work experience at Enterprises and in community placements.

Social opportunities and flexible hours.
Enterprises :
Enterprises runs from our site at Sylvia Street, Ferntree Gully and focuses on vocational
experiences, work ethic and learning skills. Be involved in:

A firewood business

A mulch business

Gardening and basic landscaping business

Ongoing learning & skill development.

Work experience at Enterprises and in community placements.

Social opportunities and flexible hours.
We are always on the look out for new opportunities. Recently we have included programs to
develop office administration skills and a hospitality group, partnering with a local tennis club.
You can spend one day a week at Enterprises and spend the other days at the Futures site or
you may prefer to spend all your week at Enterprises.
Further Sites:
We have 3 other community based sites in Station St, Ferntree Gully, Clarke St Lilydale and
McCauley Place, Bayswater. All sites provide group based activities. Some examples are
sporting options, community volunteering, drama , independent living and ongoing learning
through community houses and day to day experiences.
You can have a combination of group based and individual arrangements.
Further Opportunities at Interchange are:

Twice a year everyone in the group based services has the opportunity to participate in a 4
day holiday/camp with people they are comfortable with.

Interstate and international holidays offered to everyone at Interchange Outer East. In
2013 people travelled to Italy, USA , Europe, Cairns, Fiji , Hobart, Sydney and Summer Bay.

Interchange run an ‘After work Social Club” program, Adult Rec program providing some
weekend camps and a Summer Holiday Program for eligible families.

You can purchase camps or be part of a special interest group using your funding
package or personal funds.
Some History...
Founded in 1982 as a single serviced agency,
Interchange Outer East has grown immensely
from its initial focus on satisfying out of home
respite through volunteer host families.
Interchange Outer East began with 15 families in
1982 and has now grown to support over 800
families in Victoria.
The agency has evolved and grown in response to
Eligibility
the needs of families and people with

18 + years.
a transitional program for school leavers, was

Access to ISP or Futures funding through DHS.
commenced, with the aim of providing suitable

SNA level established or negotiated.

Group mix and compatibility is considered when accepting new participants.
disabilities. In response to these needs ‘Balance’
options for young people with disabilities.
This program began in 1999 with approximately
12 participants and now supports over 90 young
adults with disabilities across 5 sites.
Hours - Groups based opportunities

changed to correspond to various activities, events and camps.
Interchange challenges people with new
experiences, supports decision making, connects
people and support individuals to become valued
members of their communities.

45 weeks per year.

2 camps per year (3 - 4 days each).

4 – 5 days per year of staff planning and development (no programs for participants
Some Milestones...
1999 - Balance Program begins.
Group services are generally Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm but hours may at times be
on these days).
Transport
2002 - Purchase portable building
for growing Balance Services.

2003 - Two additional portable
Group services fees
buildings for Balance Services.
2004 - Balance Enterprises

Balanced Options does not provide a transport service for participants.
Balanced Options participants are charged a quarterly fee of $595 for full time
commences with 18 participants
participation in the group based service. Pro rata fees apply. Fees are used to
engaged in work oriented
contribute to transport, rentals, administrative overheads, some program and camp
programs.
costs.
2006 - Community Balance starts
with greater focus on community
inclusion.
2008 - Link begins in Bayswater.
2009 - Network begins in Lilydale.
2010– Small group holidays offered.
2012—Futures moved to Burwood Hwy site.
2012—Restructure. Balance becomes part of
Adult services– Balanced Options for Adults.
2013—Returned to focus on young adults aged
18-25 years.
2014- Futures begins in Lilydale.

There are additional charges for some programs depending on what you select.

A once off registration fee of $150 is charged at entry to Balanced Options.

Interchange Outer East Vision:
“Creating Opportunities and Choice”
Visual Representation of Balanced Options :
Contact Details:
INTERCHANGE
Ellen Clacy
OUTER EAST
Balanced Options
Team Leader
PH: 9758 5522
If you are interested in creating better
Futures for young adults with a
Futures Coordinator
PH: 9737 6777
Email: [email protected]
FERNTREE GULLY VIC 3156
PH: (03) 9758 5522
Email: [email protected]
Luke Adams
5-7 YOSE STREET
disability and would like to discuss this
further please contact Interchange
Outer East.
FAX: (03) 9758 5899
WEB: www.ioe.org.au
Email: [email protected]