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Alternatives to Employment Program

The Alternatives to Employment (ATE) program is funded by the Disability Services Commission (WA) and is designed to provide services to eligible clients to assist and engage them in:

  • Social Participation – The individual participates and engages in activities in natural settings that are enjoyable and reflect their needs, interests and culture
  • Personal Independence – The individual makes decisions and undertakes the activities of every day life using natural supports
  • Life Long Learning – The individual acquires and develops skills, competencies and knowledge to support their independence, personal interests and inclusion in their community
  • Enhanced Natural Support Networks – The individual establishes and enhances networks and relationships beyond their family and those developed with paid support workers
Essential Choices (ATE trading name of Essential Personnel) will create an Individual Support Plan with the client meeting their hours of recommended support per week according to their DSC assessment. Essential Personnel will endeavour to accommodate any activity that the client would like to engage in falling into one of the above categories.

Referral Process

There are two distinct pathways to access ATE funding:
Post School Options
Students in Years 11 & 12 and who have a disability (whether in Education Support or mainstream classes) are identified by the school and referred to the Post School Options Coordinator within the Disability Services Commission (DSC). DSC assess the students' needs "post school", assign them a funding level and recommend them for assistance and access to Alternatives to Employment funding. Students and their families or guardians/carers are given a choice of ATE providers.

Combined Application Process (CAP)
Those individuals who have left school more than 2 years ago can still access ATE funding by completing a Combined Application Process form (Essential Choices can assist the individual in procuring and completing the CAP). DSC will assess their needs and if successful will assign them a funding level and recommend them for assistance and access to the Alternatives to Employment funding. Once again, individuals, their families or guardians/carers are given a choice of ATE providers.

Once a client has chosen Essential Choices as their ATE provider, we will enter into an agreement with DSC to receive their funding and provide the support services that the client so desires. Individual recipients of ATE funding including their families and guardians are given the option of the Shared Management Model which allows them to be involved in the decision making process regarding how the individual's funding will be spent to meet their activity choices.