Focus ACT

About Focus ACT

Since 1989, Focus ACT has been supporting people to live their lives in the Canberra Region, with over 35 years of experience empowering individuals with disabilities through personalised, high-quality support services that promote independence, inclusion, and achievement of personal goals. As a trusted, established disability service provider, Focus ACT combines decades of experience with evidence-based practices and genuine commitment to participant-led support. Why Choose Focus ACT: Over 35 Years of Experience – Established in 1989 with proven track record since Canberra Region Specialist – Deep local knowledge and community connections Participant-Led Support – Genuine commitment to participant voice and choice Evidence-Based Active Support – "Every Moment Has Potential" philosophy Community Inclusion Focus – Comprehensive programs building meaningful connections Person-Centred Care – Individualized support plans tailored to personal goals Guardian & Advisory Forums – Structured participant governance and input Regular House Meetings – Ongoing engagement with participants and families Safety & Trust Priority – Highest standards of safety, privacy, and ethics Goal Achievement Focus – Collaborative approach to meaningful outcomes Comprehensive Services – Full range of disability support options Quality Assurance – Commitment to excellence and continuous improvement Our Mission: To empower individuals with disabilities through exceptional, person-centred support services that promote independence, community inclusion, and the achievement of personal goals. We are committed to participant led support and evidence-based Active Support practices that ensure every participant has the opportunity to engage meaningfully in their community. Mission Principles: Empowerment: Supporting self-determination and autonomy Building confidence and capabilities Promoting choice and control Fostering independence Exceptional Support: High-quality, professional services Evidence-based best practices Continuous improvement focus Skilled, dedicated staff Person-Centred Approach: Individual needs and preferences at center Tailored support plans Respect for personal goals and aspirations Flexibility and responsiveness Community Focus: Meaningful community engagement Social inclusion and participation Building connections and relationships Access to community opportunities Our Vision: A community where every person with a disability has the opportunity to live independently, participate fully in community life, and achieve their personal aspirations through collaborative participant led support, comprehensive Community Inclusion programmes, and evidence-based Active Support practices. Vision Elements: Independent Living: Opportunity for all to live independently Skills and support for self-sufficiency Choice in living arrangements Control over daily life decisions Full Community Participation: Genuine inclusion in all aspects of community life Access to mainstream activities and opportunities Meaningful social roles and relationships Breaking down barriers to participation Personal Aspiration Achievement: Support to pursue individual dreams and goals Recognition of unique aspirations Resources and assistance to achieve ambitions Celebration of personal accomplishments Collaborative Support: Partnership approach with participants Working together toward goals Participant voice driving support Shared decision-making and planning Our Core Values and Practices: Focus ACT operates according to six foundational principles: 1. PARTICIPANT LED SUPPORT We recognise the vital role of participants in leading their own support through our Guardian and Client Advisory Forum and regular House Meetings with Participants and Families. What This Means: Guardian and Client Advisory Forum: Formal structure for participant governance Regular meetings providing participant input Direct influence on organizational decisions Platform for concerns, suggestions, and feedback Meaningful participation in service direction Regular House Meetings: Scheduled meetings with participants and families Discussion of support plans and progress Addressing concerns and preferences Collaborative problem-solving Building community within services Participant Leadership: Participants drive their own support Self-advocacy encouraged and supported Choice and control in all decisions Individual preferences respected Active participation in planning and review Benefits: Services truly reflect participant needs Increased satisfaction and engagement Empowerment and self-determination Responsive, adaptive support Strong accountability to participants 2. COMMUNITY INCLUSION We create meaningful opportunities for participants to build connections, engage in community activities, and develop lasting relationships that enhance their quality of life. Our Approach: Building Connections: Facilitating social relationships Supporting friendships and networks Connecting with community groups Developing support circles Reducing isolation Community Activities: Access to recreational opportunities Participation in local events Mainstream activity involvement Cultural and social engagement Sports, arts, and hobby groups Lasting Relationships: Supporting meaningful friendships Family relationship maintenance Romantic relationship support Peer connections Community belonging Quality of Life Enhancement: Social wellbeing improvement Sense of belonging and purpose Expanded life experiences Personal growth opportunities Fulfillment and happiness Community Inclusion Programs: Structured inclusion activities Skill development for participation Supported community access Group and individual opportunities Partnership with community organizations 3. ACTIVE SUPPORTS Using evidence-based practices, we ensure Every Moment Has Potential through graded assistance, maximising choice and control, and supporting participants to engage meaningfully in daily activities. "Every Moment Has Potential" Philosophy: Active Support is an evidence-based approach recognizing that every interaction and activity presents opportunity for: Skill development Meaningful engagement Choice and autonomy Relationship building Quality of life enhancement Key Active Support Principles: Graded Assistance: Providing just enough support for success Scaffolding to build independence Gradual reduction of assistance as skills develop Balancing support with challenge Promoting capability growth Maximising Choice and Control: Offering real choices throughout the day Supporting decision-making Respecting preferences Enabling self-determination Promoting autonomy Meaningful Engagement: Supporting active participation, not passive observation Involvement in valued activities Contributing to household and community Developing skills through real activities Purpose and meaning in daily life Evidence-Based Practice: Active Support is a research-proven approach demonstrating: Increased participant engagement Skill development and independence Improved quality of life Greater choice and control Enhanced community participation 4. PERSON-CENTRED CARE Every support plan is tailored to individual goals, preferences, and aspirations, ensuring participants remain at the centre of all decisions. Our Person-Centred Approach: Individual Support Plans: Developed collaboratively with each participant Based on personal goals and aspirations Reflecting individual preferences and needs Regularly reviewed and updated Flexible and responsive to changes Goals, Preferences, and Aspirations: Understanding what matters to each person Respecting individual dreams and ambitions Supporting diverse goals and interests Honoring cultural and personal values Celebrating uniqueness Participant at Centre: All decisions involve participant input Support designed around the person Individual preferences drive service delivery Respect for autonomy and choice Empowerment and self-determination Tailored Support: No one-size-fits-all approaches Customized to individual circumstances Adapted to changing needs Responsive to feedback Personalized service delivery 5. SAFETY & TRUST We maintain the highest standards of safety, privacy, and ethical practice in all our support services. Our Commitment: Safety Standards: Comprehensive risk management Safe environments and practices Staff training in safety procedures Incident prevention and management Participant wellbeing priority Emergency protocols and preparedness Privacy Protection: Confidentiality of personal information Secure data management Respect for personal boundaries Privacy in support delivery NDIS compliance for privacy Ethical Practice: Professional conduct standards Code of ethics adherence Integrity in all interactions Transparency and honesty Accountability for actions Participant rights protection Building Trust: Consistent, reliable support Following through on commitments Open, honest communication Respect and dignity in all interactions Building long-term relationships Responsive to concerns 6. GOAL ACHIEVEMENT We work collaboratively with participants to identify, pursue, and achieve meaningful personal goals and outcomes. Our Goal-Focused Approach: Collaborative Goal Setting: Working together to identify goals Understanding participant aspirations Setting realistic, achievable targets Breaking large goals into steps Regular review and adjustment Goal Pursuit: Developing strategies and action plans Providing necessary support and resources Skill building for goal achievement Overcoming barriers and challenges Celebrating progress along the way Meaningful Goals: Goals that matter to the participant Aligned with personal values and interests Contributing to quality of life Building toward personal vision Diverse across life domains Outcome Achievement: Measuring progress toward goals Celebrating successes Learning from challenges Adjusting approaches as needed Documenting achievements Goal Areas: Independent living skills Employment and education Social relationships and community Health and wellbeing Recreation and interests Personal development Over 35 Years of Service: Since 1989: Focus ACT's 35+ year history represents: Established Expertise: Decades of disability support experience Deep understanding of participant needs Refined practices and approaches Proven track record of success Institutional knowledge and wisdom Evolution and Adaptation: Adapting to changing disability sector Incorporating new evidence and practices Responding to participant feedback Embracing NDIS and modern approaches Continuous improvement and learning Community Integration: Established Canberra presence since 1989 Long-standing community relationships Local knowledge and connections Trusted reputation in region Multi-generational service provision Sustained Commitment: Over three decades of consistent service Ongoing dedication to participants Stability and reliability Long-term staff and relationships Enduring organizational values Canberra Region Focus: As a Canberra-based organization since 1989, Focus ACT offers: Local Expertise: Deep understanding of Canberra community Knowledge of local services and resources Established community partnerships Regional accessibility and presence Cultural understanding of local area Community Connections: Relationships with local organizations Links to community activities and groups Access to regional opportunities Integration into Canberra life Local employment and volunteer networks Our Services: While specific service details aren't fully outlined, based on Focus ACT's mission and approach, services likely include: Accommodation Support: Supported Independent Living (SIL) Group home support In-home assistance Respite services Community Participation: Social and recreational activities Community access support Skill development programs Group activities and outings Daily Living Support: Personal care assistance Household task support Life skills development Meal preparation and nutrition Active Support Services: Evidence-based engagement support Skill building through daily activities Choice and control maximization Meaningful participation facilitation Support Coordination: NDIS plan management assistance Service coordination Goal planning and review Resource connection Contact Focus ACT: Company: Focus ACT Established: 1989 Experience: 35+ years Service Area: Canberra Region, ACT Core Practices: Participant Led Support Community Inclusion Active Supports Person-Centred Care Safety & Trust Goal Achievement Governance: Guardian and Client Advisory Forum Regular House Meetings with Participants and Families Philosophy: "Every Moment Has Potential" Focus ACT – 35+ Years of Empowering Lives in Canberra Since 1989, Focus ACT has been supporting people to live their lives in the Canberra Region through exceptional, person-centered disability support services. With over 35 years of experience, we combine evidence-based Active Support practices, genuine participant-led support, and comprehensive Community Inclusion programs to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently and achieve their personal goals. Our Mission: To empower individuals with disabilities through exceptional, person-centred support services that promote independence, community inclusion, and the achievement of personal goals. Our Vision: A community where every person with a disability has the opportunity to live independently, participate fully in community life, and achieve their personal aspirations. Our Approach: Participant Led Support through Guardian and Client Advisory Forum Community Inclusion creating meaningful connections Active Supports ensuring "Every Moment Has Potential" Person-Centred Care tailored to individual goals Safety & Trust maintaining highest standards Goal Achievement through collaborative support

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