What is the early childhood approach?
Latrobe Community Health Service is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) early childhood partner delivering early childhood supports for children aged 0-8 years with developmental concerns, delay or disability in the Central Highlands, Ovens Murray and Wimmera South West regions of Victoria.
Latrobe Community Health Service also owns and operates Link Health and Community®. Link Health and Community is the NDIS early childhood partner in the Inner East Melbourne, Outer East Melbourne, Southern Melbourne, Inner Gippsland and Outer Gippsland regions of Victoria.
The early childhood approach helps children younger than 6 with developmental concerns or delay, or children younger then 9 with disability, and their families or carers. It supports families or carers to help children develop the skills they need to take part in daily activities and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their life.
What an early childhood approach partner can do
- Connect your family and child with the most appropriate supports in your area, such as community health services, playgroups, or educational setting.
- Provide short-term early supports if appropriate.
- Help families or carers apply for NDIS access if their child requires longer-term support. If your child becomes an NDIS participant, the early childhood partner will work with your family to connect you with early childhood support providers, monitor your child’s progress, and support them to transition from the early childhood approach to an NDIS plan when appropriate.
Our team
Our early childhood team consists of a range of early childhood and health professionals including:
- Early childhood educators
- Special education teachers
- Occupational therapists
- Speech pathologists
- Social workers
- Physiotherapists
Where does Latrobe Community Health Service deliver the early childhood approach?
Latrobe Community Health Service delivers the early childhood approach in the Central Highlands, Ovens Murray and Wimmera South West regions of Victoria.
Central Highlands region includes these local government areas:
- Ararat
- Ballarat
- Golden Plains
- Hepburn
- Moorabool
- Pyrenees
Ovens Murray region includes these local government areas:
- Alpine
- Benalla
- Indigo
- Mansfield
- Towong
- Wangaratta
- Wodonga
Wimmera South West region includes these local government areas:
- Corangamite
- Glenelg
- Hindmarsh
- Horsham
- Moyne
- Northern Grampians
- Southern Grampians
- Warrnambool
- West Wimmera
- Yarriambiack
Where does Link Health and Community delivers the early childhood approach?
Link Health and Community delivers the early childhood approach in Inner East Melbourne, Outer East Melbourne, Southern Melbourne, Inner Gippsland and Outer Gippsland.
Inner East Melbourne region includes these local government areas:
- Boroondara
- Manningham
- Monash
- Whitehorse
Outer East Melbourne region includes these local government areas:
- Knox
- Maroondah
- Yarra Ranges
Southern Melbourne region includes these local government areas:
- Cardinia
- Casey
- Greater Dandenong
Inner Gippsland region includes these local government areas:
- Bass Coast
- Baw Baw
- Latrobe
- South Gippsland
Outer Gippsland region includes these local government areas:
- East Gippsland
- Wellington
How to contact us for support
You can contact Latrobe Community Health Service on 1800 242 696 or at ecei.link.lchs@ndis.gov.au if you have concerns about your child’s development. A service provider can also contact us with your consent.
Our Intake and Early Connections team will provide support and information based on your child’s individual needs and circumstances. The referral form and information about how to submit a referral can be found here.
Providing feedback
We would like to hear from you. We accept all feedback about our services.
If you would like to make a complaint, provide comments or feedback about Latrobe Community Health Service, visit our complaints and compliments page or call us on 1800 242 696.