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MOIRA originated as an organisation back in the 1960’s, with the specific goal of providing disabled accommodation support. It’s fair to say that the scope of services offered and the model of service delivery has changed significantly since that time.
In the 1980’s, MOIRA took the courageous step of winding down its special purpose nursing home and establishing two community based Community Residential Units (CRU’s) where people with multiple disabilities and high support needs could be assisted to live in an environment free of institutional restrictions and stigma. It was a brave decision indeed, but a commitment initiated and pursued with a single minded devotion to ensuring that the rights of people with disabilities were paramount; that their needs and aspirations should drive the agenda.
By 1993, still the one service type (Accommodation Support), was being offered, with an operational budget in the order of $600,000. Nine permanent residents and approximately twenty respite clients were being serviced through the two outlets. I include in this of course the Therapy Support staff (or Independent Living Skills Development Team as it was known at the time), whose role was exclusively involved with supporting clients of that program.
In 2003, with a budget in excess of $5,000,000, we delivered approximately twenty-five types of services for literally thousands of clients through eight service outlets. Our name has changed, from Moira Inc to MOIRA Child & Family Support to just...MOIRA! Our logo has also changed...
...the external signage of which now so dominates our part of Nepean Highway that some people (only half jokingly) refer to the intersection of South Road and Nepean Highway as MOIRA Junction.
The contrast speaks for itself, but what does it mean in real terms? As an Incorporated Association, the ultimate responsibility for MOIRA’s activities rests with its Committee of Management. In this regard, MOIRA is unusual in that our Rules require the Committee to be comprised of individuals from three distinct groups; Consumers, Community Representatives, and Staff. Whilst there are many experts in the field of corporate governance who would see this composition as a recipe for disaster, I believe that it imbues our organisation with a transparency and a commitment to service delivery which filters through to every corner of the agency. The Committee is responsible for matters relating to the overarching corporate governance of the Association, for determining strategic direction, and for authorising the Chief Executive Officer to drive the organisation in an operational capacity.
A team of highly skilled and dedicated individuals (Program Managers) now manage service delivery across seven broad areas
• Case Management and Brokerage Support
• Interchange Southern
• Outreach Services
• Southern Directions Youth Services
• Accommodation Support Services
• Finance
• Office Services
In turn, each of these areas is comprised of a number of different programs and activities, reflecting the enormous diversity and range of programs for people with disabilities and youth in crisis presently provided by MOIRA. These services are provided by approximately one hundred and fifty full and part time staff (and counting!), whose skill base, dedication and experience are second to none. The details of these services are addressed in the content of this website, and I commend them to you.
So, this is MOIRA today....please read on! |
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