Mission Australia officially open the renovated Macarthur Early Childhood Intervention Service (MECIS) today, improving the facilities for families that currently use the service and providing room to expand the number of places available for children with disabilities in the future.
The opening, which also coincided with the 21st birthday celebration of the service, was undertaken by The Hon Graham West, MP, Member for Campbelltown at the 5 Kingsclare Street, Leumeah address at 2pm.
Toby Hall, Mission Australia CEO, said that early intervention programs for children with disabilities are essential to helping them live a full and active life and MECIS has been a beacon for this kind of work for decades.
“Services like MECIS are really important to Mission Australia as we believe that all Australian children no matter what their circumstances should experience a safe, healthy and happy childhood,” said Mr Hall.
“All the latest research says that if we provide support to children with disabilities and delays as early in life as possible, they achieve much better long term outcomes.
“MECIS is a great example of that approach.
“Children can receive holistic support to meet their needs including early education, speech therapy, physiotherapy, and behaviour management and there are also group parenting programs while the children are taking part in group activities.
“Hundreds of children and their families have been touched by the service over more than two decades and we certainly hope thousands will benefit in the future.”
MECIS caters for children from birth to school age with disabilities and delays, and their families. It was originally established in 1979 as an outreach program of Macquarie University to address a lack of early intervention services in South West Sydney.
Today, the service encompasses early special education, therapy, standardised assessments, parent education and support. Programs are tailored to the individual needs of the child and family, and can include individual and / or group therapy intervention. Group programs offered include: early learning, preschool skills, school transition, and autism specific.
Renovations to the building in Kingsclare Street have included adding a second storey with office and meeting room space. The renovated service now includes significantly increased play and teaching areas for the children, a private meeting area for parents and new bathroom and toilet facilities specifically designed to meet the needs of the children.
The renovations were made possible by a $200,000 donation from Macquarie Group Foundation, and Mission Australia’s successful application to the NSW State Government’s Community Building Partnerships Program – which provided another $50,000.
More information about MECIS:
- Facilitated group parenting programs are on offer for parents and carers while their children attend groups.
- Individual therapy may be for a single discipline, or a combination of occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy.
- Behaviour management and early special education programs are also provided at MECIS.
Special Needs Family Support Service - ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Intensive family support program for families of children up to 12 years, who have a diagnosis, or display characteristics of ADHD and live in the Campbelltown Local Government Area.
South West Early Childhood Support (SWECS) An outreach and consultancy program for staff in early childhood settings across Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly Local Government Areas to support the inclusion of children with additional needs.
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