Respite and Family Support
Extended Families Australia (EFA) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides support, respite, significant social relationships and community participation for children with disabilities and their families.
The EFA program operates in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula and is run by a small but dedicated team of paid staff and volunteers, including a program manager and a coordinator for each region in which we operate. The agency is overseen by a voluntary Committee of Management.
The funding for EFA services comes from the Department of Human Services, through both Disability Services and Home and Community Care. In addition, the organisation raises money though fundraising activities, donations and receives generous support from Charitable Trusts for specific projects or activities.
WHAT we do
EFA matches a child, who requires some special attention, with a volunteer who fulfils the role of an extended family member where none exist.
The program is based on a ‘companionship’ or ‘relationship’ model which offers:
valuable companionship and support for the child
practical assistance to the family
regular visits and outings.
This special relationship provides the child with a sense of identity and assists in extending their social and emotional development. It also ensures that the child and family are more linked to and supported in the community, reducing the sense of isolation.
Just as companionship comes in many forms, the EFA program offers great flexibility in the level and nature of support. The time volunteers spend varies according to availability and family needs.
Activities can include:
reading stories or playing games
going for a walk to the park
social and recreational outings,
participating in school functions
assisting parents with medical appointments.
Through the simple gift of friendship, EFA has made a real difference to the lives of hundreds of children and their families.
