Community Services
Community First International (CFI) delivers an extensive range of services under the Community Services banner.
We have innovative programs supporting people who are frail, aged, or with a physical or mental health disability. Our services have a positive focus on wellness of the individual and operate under a recovery philosophy. All involved in our programs enjoy the personalised service, strong relationships with their key worker and the opportunities to get involved in community based activities and initiatives.
We deliver the Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMs) funded through the Department of Families and Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs across Mandurah, Rockingham, Kwinana, Albany, Bunbury and Vasse. CFI was recognised for its work with people with mental health issues and received a 50% increase in funding to deliver extended services in 2010.
The PHaMs program is a recovery based service available to people living in the community with mental illness. The program provides mentors who offer psychosocial support that emphasises and supports each individual’s potential for recovery through case management and support to carers and family members and peer support. Recovery is seen as a personal journey that involves developing hope, a secure base and sense of self, supportive relationships, empowerment, social inclusion, coping skills and meaning. The PHaMs teams were recognised for their involvement and contribution to the community winning the Community Service Excellence Awards in May 2010.
Within the Community Services Department CFI also delivers programs under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program funded by the WA Department of Health. Client Support and Monitoring Services are delivered across 5 metropolitan locations encompassing Centre Based Day Care, Social Support, Domestic Assistance, Personal Care, Transport and Respite Care. Services are delivered across Peel, Fremantle, Kwinana and Rockingham. In December 2010 CFI was selected as the preferred provider by the City of Melville to transfer their current HACC services to CFI in 2011; these services include Meals on Wheels and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse specific based Centre Based Day Care.
Through Centre Based Day Care, CFI provides individualised services and programs to people with disability. This is an innovative model with a strong focus on the wellness philosophy of goal setting, community inclusion and operates under the banner of Ability Arts. This model differentiates from conventional service models through its creative approach to expanding the boundaries of arts enterprise and in the development of new skills for our clients. Ability Arts has received recognition for its uniqueness and overall success in achieving positive outcomes for our clients with disability. Furthermore, Ability Arts has a collaborative approach involving volunteers, community members and organisations which embraces an inclusive philosophy. Whilst the purpose of Ability Arts is to stretch the abilities and interests of all participants, the approach is to have fun through learning and engagement.
