School and Community Support Services
Autism Hangout provides the autism community with an online resource that compiles news, knowledge and personal experiences on how best to thrive with autism.
Autism Queensland is a community based, not-for-profit, Incorporated Association dedicated to bringing about positive change in the lives of people with Autism and their families. They provide a comprehensive range of specialised services and support for people of all ages living with Autism and their families throughout Queensland.
Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services Limited (TAIHS) is one of an increasing number across Australia of self-governing, independent, community-controlled Indigenous organizations providing primary health care services to Indigenous people. TAIHS has grown up out of the desire of local Indigenous people to take control of their own health and of how primary health care services are delivered to and within Indigenous communities in north Queensland.
Carers provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who are frail. More than one in eight Australians provide care of this kind. The purpose of Carers Queensland is to improve the lives of carers. They provide important services like counselling, advice, advocacy, education and training. They also promote the recognition of carers to governments, businesses and the public.
Centrelink assists people to become self-sufficient and supports those in need.
Chaplaincy Services provide spiritual, ethical and personal support to school communities. SU Qld Chaplains provide positive adult role models for students. Chaplains are present in schools at the invitation of the Principal, in consultation with the local community and with the support of the P&C Association.
A School Chaplain is a safe person for young people to connect with at school and provides a listening ear, caring presence and a message of hope. Chaplains run positive, fun activities for students and assists in fostering supportive and caring school communities.
Working with other members of the school's support team, the Chaplain cares for students struggling with issues such as difficult relationships with other children and poor self-esteem.
The Chaplaincy Service is available to everyone in the school community regardless of their religious beliefs.
Our school Chaplain is Charlie Chamberlin. Charlie is a familiar face in the classroom with his guitar and repertoire of songs. The students love this time with him and it enables Charlie to build a strong and positive rapport with the students.
Involvement with the Chaplain is entirely voluntary and students choose whether or not they want to be a part of the activities that are offered. Parents will be consulted if their child wishes to be involved in ongoing one-to-one meetings with the Chaplain or in any program or group involving spiritual or ethical content. Parents have the right to refuse permission for their child to be involved in any Chaplaincy activity or event.
Charlie is available on Monday and Thursday. Teachers have been allocated time for Charlie to visit their classrooms to provided music. Charlie can be contacted on (07) 4759 4111.
Are a not for profit community organisation for children with disability and their families.
CHIPS – Children with Hearing Impairment Parent Support
This newly formed support group was recently funded by a grant from ‘Communities for Children - Townsville West’. C.H.I.P.S. seeks to provide support to parents and carers of hearing impaired children by initiating social outings, meetings, aid transport, provide resources through a borrowing library, train parents as group mediators and pay for interpreters.
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres are information centres for older people, people with disabilities and those who provide care and services. Centres provide free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available locally, interstate or anywhere within Australia.
The Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) provides specialist mental health services for children and young people and assistance to their families or carers.
Cootharinga is a quality service provider who has been supporting people with disabilities in North Queensland for over 56 years. Located at 20 Keane Street Currajong, Cootharinga provides accommodation and support services in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and regions in between.
CPL (formerly the Cerebral Palsy League)
CPL is a non-profit organisation that provides support and therapy services to more than 8,000 children and adults with disabilities in Queensland and Northern NSW.
CPL gives you the freedom of choice, the opportunity to chase your passion and the support to live the life you choose. We provide services every day, at every stage of your life and have been doing so for over 65 years in thousands of homes, schools, communities and workplaces.
Community Connection Inc. promotes an ordinary life in the community for people with disabilities and their families. Their aim is to provide support in ways that underpins a life filled with relationships and meaningful roles
In late 1993 a small group of families, each caring for someone with special needs came together to form the Defence Special Needs Support Group. During 1994, this small group spread its wings across Australia and now some 16 years later continues to provide support, information and assistance to Defence Families with Special Needs.
DSA is one of Australia's largest and most respected providers of employment and community support services for people with a disability, providing support for more than 2000 people. They focus on meeting individual needs and achieving positive outcomes.
The Mission of the Down Syndrome Association Queensland Inc. is to support, advocate for and empower Queensland children and adults with Down syndrome, so they can be valued and contributing members of the community, as is their right.
Endeavour Foundation Industries is the largest employer of people with a disability in Australia with over 1,800 supported workers employed at 26 Australian Disability Enterprises throughout Queensland and New South Wales.
LifeTec Queensland is a leading provider of information, consultation, and education on assistive technology that can help individuals improve their quality of life and remain independent.
Life Without Barriers is a not for profit organisation that is committed to providing a supportive and safe environment for: people living with a disability, people living with a mental health issue, children and young people and other vulnerable persons.
The Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland Inc. was formed in 1986 by and for people living with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, their families and carers. The Fellowship is a grass roots, voluntary organisation with a small permanent staff who support people with mental illness and their families to lead full and meaningful lives in their communities.
Relationships Australia (QLD) provides relationship support services to individuals, couples and families throughout Queensland. Their services aim to strengthen and build relationships, resolve relationship breakdown issues and support the best interests of children through family separation. They also offer a number of specialist counselling services, courses and education programs. Please see their website for more information on their wide range of services.
Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia (RDAA) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation which provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to enjoy safe, healthy, stimulating, therapeutic, horse-related activities in Australia.
All Queensland resident children four years of age or older who have not completed Year 10 of secondary school are eligible for publicly funded oral health care via Queensland Health's Child and Adolescent Oral Health Services (previously referred to as the School Dental Program).
The hospital offers a comprehensive range of services including acute medical, surgical, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, hyperbaric medicine as well as obstetrics, high risk pregnancy, general gynaecology, oncology services including gynaecological oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, haematology and bone marrow transplant, palliative care urogynaecology, level III intensive care services, rehabilitation, allied health and paediatric services. There is a comprehensive mental health service in Townsville, which includes an acute mental health unit located adjacent to the main hospital complex, includes a Secure Mental Health Unit.
The Umbrella Network offers information and support to families of children with special needs in the North Queensland area. They are not a service provider but a registered charity that runs on volunteers. They offer education, friendship and the chance to start turning your child’s life into a positive and rewarding journey.