History
Novita Children’s Services is a recognised and celebrated world leader in the provision of therapy, equipment and family support services to more than 1000 South Australian children living with physical disabilities or acquired brain injury.
As Novita continues to build on its reputation as one of South Australia’s premier children’s charities, the organisation draws on its rich history to help it move into the future with a renewed sense of purpose.
1939 - 1969
1939 The Crippled Children’s Association of South Australia (CCA) was incorporated, and was initially supported by the South Australian Government with a grant of £2,000 per annum. Somerton Home was established for children with poliomyelitis, more commonly known as polio.
1946 A school for children with cerebral palsy was established at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital, along with a cerebral palsy clinic under the auspices of CCA.
1951 Somerton Home began to provide services to children with disabilities other than polio, for example, neuromuscular diseases.
1952 Ashford House was purchased with State Government assistance and used as a school and therapy centre for children with cerebral palsy.
1957 The introduction of the Salk vaccine saw the end of the polio epidemic in South Australia.
1970 – 1989
1970 A special committee was formed to look at the future of the organisation and, in particular, to search for new and larger premises.
1971 Building of the Regency Park Centre for Young Disabled commenced.
1976 Children were transferred from Somerton Home and Ashford House School to the organisation’s premises at Regency Park. Regency Park Rehabilitation Engineering was established.
1988 A number of residential options were developed for children, including the use of foster families and community homes.
1989 CCA celebrated its Golden Jubilee Year. At that time, the Association employed 329 staff, providing services to 196 day students and 516 children attending outpatient-style clinics as well as supporting 118 families in their homes, 158 clients in employment and training programs, and 24 people in independent living arrangements.
1990 - 1997
1992 The residential facility at Regency Park Centre was closed, with all children supported at home.
1993 A regional structure for children’s therapy services was developed. Services were exchanged with the Spastic Centre of South Australia, resulting in CCA providing therapy for all children with physical disabilities in South Australia.
1995 The CCA Options Coordination service commenced, providing support services – including respite care and home help – to CCA clients and their families.
1997 CCA entered into partnership with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for the provision of medical paediatric rehabilitation services.
1998 - 2004
2001 CCA implemented a new Executive structure and Strategic Planning framework, paving the way for continued success in the future.
2002 Demand for CCA’s services continued to grow. As an advocate for more than 1000 clients and their families, CCA increasingly found itself working with Government to raise awareness of the needs of children and young people living with disabilities. The redevelopment of Regency Park Centre commenced.
2003 CCA worked in partnership with the South Australian Department of Human Services to re-auspice its Adult Therapy Service (Communication and Therapy Services) to the Independent Living Centre.
2004 Members of CCA voted overwhelmingly to change the Association’s name to Novita Children’s Services, reflecting a more contemporary view of disability. The redevelopment of the Regency Park Centre was completed.
2005 - 2006
Novita expanded its services through the Australian Government-funded Inclusion Support Program, which will help up to 400 children with disabilities, indigenous children and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to access services like child care, out of school hours care and vacation care.
Novita embarked on the Programs Project, an initiative to review and restructure services to ensure the organisation provides the best possible support to children and families living with disabilities.
2007 and beyond
Novita's Board of Directors endorsed the 'Life Needs Model' to guide the organisation's future work. This model is considered the world's best practice in supporting children with disabilities, emphasising age-appropriate services, support across key 'transition' stages in a child's life and increased focus on the needs of children, families and the wider community.
From January 2008, Novita's Therapy Services and Family Support teams combined to form the single Client Services Division. This significant change meant Novita families would now deal with just one team to access all the services and support they need.
In March 2009, Novita reached the milestone of 70 years of caring for children with physical disabilities. Celebrations for the organisation’s 70th anniversary continued throughout the year, including a reception with the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, at Government House, and a Sapphires and Stars gala dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Having operated as an incorporated association for 70 years, Novita achieved company limited by guarantee status, effective 1 November 2009. The transition enabled Novita to access more diverse funding sources, and opportunities for commercial development of its traditional services, whilst retaining its charitable status as a not-for-profit organisation.