VISION

COMMUNITY OPTIONS - QUALITY OPTIONS

MISSION

Community Options Illawarra will provide access to services to maintain and enhance the quality of life for people of frail age, people with disabilities and their carers living in the community.

VALUES

For our clients we value /believe

• The right of people to make choices in their own lives
• The right of people to dignity, respect, privacy and confidentiality
• The right of people to be valued as individuals
• The right of people to access services on a non – discriminatory basis
• The right of the community to accountable and responsive services

For our staff we value /believe

• That they are committed, caring professionals
• Non discriminatory
• We value working as part of a team
• We value diversity and awareness of cultural issues
• Should be supported by the organization
• We value professional development

For Community Options Illawarra we value / believe

• The philosophy of Community Options Illawarra
• Working co-operatively with other service providers
• Effective communication between clients, staff and management
• Equity of access of service

Our objectives and goals were determined after questionnaires and workshops with our clients, staff and Board. The key elements of the Strategic Plan are outlined below.

CLIENTS

OBJECTIVE: To ensure that each client receives the maximum service hours and quality of service and support as possible, while having optimum access to information and support opportunities

To achieve this objective we will:

1.1 Retain our current case management and brokerage model while strengthening and extending it to as many clients and modes of delivery as possible.
1.2 Seek case management and case assessment contracts to support a range of needs in the community.
1.3 Ensure we obtain new Disability Funding Packages.
1.4 Build up Allied Health and related services connections and linkages to be regarded as a highly effective access point.
1.5 Assess and respond to opportunities to work with the Indigenous and CALD communities and individuals.
1.6 Develop effective and constantly improving outcome measures for the services and support provided to our clients.
1.7 While focusing on the Illawarra, we will maintain our capacity to expand into other regions.
1.8 Improve our regional client information, needs and profile data and analysis.
 

FINANCE

OBJECTIVE: To maintain financial sustainability

To achieve this objective we will:

2.1 Maintain positive budgets.
2.2 Develop sources of funding for specialist staff positions such as Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health.
2.3 Engage with local business and community groups to raise the profile of COI and explore possibilities of increasing support and income from these sources.
2.4 Develop fee-for-service opportunities in case management and case assessment.
 

STAFF

OBJECTIVE: To ensure a well-trained, supported and focused staff

To achieve this objective we will:

3.1 Develop and follow an appropriate staffing model to meet the needs of the clients while ensuring staff availability, cost sustainability, space and resources are available to them.
3.2 Develop and maintain effective staff recruitment, retention, accountability and development model and practices.
3.3 Ensure best practice policies, procedures and management for staff to support their work with clients.
 

OPERATIONS

OBJECTIVE: To provide clients and staff with the best systems and resources
 

To achieve this objective we will:

4.1 Ensure appropriate physical conditions and IT and other equipment for staff and visitors through the development of a location and facilities management model.
4.2 Maintain and strengthen best practice Occupational Health and Safety for clients and staff.
4.3 Ensure Quality Assurance and standards for accreditation and quality service delivery.
4.4 Develop a website used regularly by clients, staff, other community services and supporters.
 

GOVERNANCE

OBJECTIVE: To provide the appropriate governance support for clients

To achieve this objective we will:

5.1 Develop and follow a Board development and assessment plan.
5.2 Ensure a competency-based Board with appropriate policies, process and support.