Getting to Know Amicus
This Information Booklet is for people who would like to know more about the services that Amicus has to offer and important information about how to access our services.
The support that we provide
Many people think of Amicus as a day service but this is no longer an accurate representation of the range of supports we can provide. Amicus works really hard with the people who chose our support to not only provide them with a good life but the opportunity to live valued roles in our community.
As such there is now very little support provided onsite at Amicus and even people who receive group support, receive the majority of their support in the community, with participants meeting staff in the community and leaving for home at the end of their support from the community.
We also provide individualised support to an increasing number of people which is usually a mix of in home (including personal care) and community based supports. We are doing some great work to support people to live out their vision in classrooms, work places and community groups the list of possibilities are endless.
If you have a strong goal or passion you wish to pursue please remember that group support is probably not going to be the best way to ensure that this is achieved. To achieve some goals we recommend that people consider individual support to get the maximum benefit. Some examples of include volunteering, employment or involvement in a particular community group.
Our approach
We are really trying to promote usual pathways (sometimes referred to as normative pathways) for people rather than a pathway to a specialist ‘Disability’ setting. To support this approach we prefer to hold meetings in people’s homes or at community venues. We are also keen to support self direction and choice and we have put together a great guide called ‘Managing Your Supports’ that you will receive if you decide to receive support from Amicus. The guide explains things like:
- having one plan across services,
- how to be flexible in purchasing support (individual and group support),
- how to have more involvement in the selection of staff who provide support,
- how support can be spread over 52 weeks (for people used to receiving 46 weeks ),
- funding and how it can be used and ways that funding can be distributed to Amicus
We hope this information will assist people choosing Amicus for their support to get the most out of their informal, community and disability supports through the planning process.
Can I get Support from Amicus?
If you have an Individual Support Package or other source of funding Amicus is able to provide support.
Amicus also receives some funding for primary school aged children with a disability to be eligible for this program you first need to register with the YMCA for Out Of School Hours Care of Vacation Care.
What happens next:
We will have a meeting so you can find out more about Amicus. It is a great idea to bring along your Support Plan if you have one because it can help us talk about the goals you would like to achieve and help you to decide if Amicus is the right service for you.
If you decide you would like to receive services from Amicus: 
We will start finding out personal information about you to help us provide you with a good service. This might also include asking you for copies of information that you already have or you may like us to talk to someone else like a planner. We will need you to sign a Consent form to give us this permission.
Commencing Services
If you would like to receive support you will be asked to sign a Service Provision and Confirmation Form which confirms what we have agreed. You will also get a Participant Handbook which has lots of great information about your support from Amicus. We also have lots of important information on our website www.amicus.org.au like the Disability Act 2006, Victorian Human Rights Charter and the DHS Standards.
Planning 
You will also receive the booklet Managing Your Supports and a form Getting Ready for Planning. You may choose to use your existing Support Plan which means we can start working towards your goals straight away.
If you would like Amicus to work with you to develop a Support Plan one will be completed within 60 days. You will receive a pre planning booklet to help you think about the things you would like to put in your plan.
Support
Most people we support receive a calendar which provides information about the details of your support like days and times of the week, who you will be working with, what you need to bring, any costs, where to meet etc. You will be involved in developing this calendar and some people like to just plan ahead for a few weeks or if you are receiving group support we usually plan a calendar for 10-12 weeks of support.
If you would like to find out more about receiving support from Amicus please call us on 5441 2666 and ask to speak with one of our friendly Service Coordinators.
Amicus Inc 