I am Melissa Traversa, founder and owner of Care & Connect, where providing families with a supportive clear path through their NDIS journey and connecting them to services that will grow their child is my driving force.
First and foremost, I am a mother to two teenagers who keep me on my toes. Their challenges, strengths and differences have led me on a journey of understanding, information, reflection and without doubt patience. Through this journey and my innate drive to be that warm hug at the end of someone’s day, I have dappled in several industries that fulfilled this need including Nursing, Early Childcare, Support Aide and provider of the Triple P Parenting Program.
In my current role I have listened to many parents vent their frustrations about concerns that they have about their child but not knowing where to go to address these concerns. I remember one parent saying to me, “that there is no support out there even if I wanted to get it”. And when parents found support, they didn’t know if it was worth being put on a waitlist or if they should look elsewhere. Then there were the parents who had a child who had been newly diagnosed and were told their child was eligible for funding and did not know what this meant. “What funding?”, is what I was asked, “I am too exhausted to have to deal with this as well."
The confusion, frustration, emotion, and feelings of inadequacy I heard during these conversations led to the inception of Care & Connect.
A supportive clear path through the NDIS journey...
Care & Connect is about connecting families to allied health professionals in the local area who can support their child’s current and growing needs and navigating the NDIS funding process if it is needed.
My vision is that all families who have children that have any need, will be supported, and heard so that their child’s need/s can be met and that their family unit is protected from the stressors that the uncertainty of navigating a frustrating system invokes.
The Care & Connect values are:
• Compassion
• Determination
• Understanding
• Time
• Transparency
I am privileged to be allowed into families lives when they are at their most vulnerable and I don’t take this privilege for granted. I provide open and transparent dialogue so families know where they stand. I am a passionate talker and a reflective listener who shows compassion and understanding for what families are experiencing and I give my time, so they feel heard.
And most importantly I am tenacious. Children have the right to have every opportunity to be the best version of themselves and I like to be a part of making this happen.
Providing open and transparent dialogue so families know where they stand...
The beginning of your Care & Connect journey is a “meet and greet” where I take the time to get to know yours and your child’s experiences, struggles and wins so I can best understand how I can support you moving forward. If it is NDIS advocacy and support you need, I walk you through the NDIS gauntlet and I will be your child’s number one advocate for as long as you should need or want me to be. If you are wanting to be connected to services but don’t know where to start, I will connect you with allied health professionals, explain what services they provide and how they might be able to support your child.
Whether it be NDIS advocacy/support, connection to services that you need or Support Coordination, your Care & Connect journey aims to minimize your stress and confusion and be a source of comfort and hope. I look forward to providing you with a wholistic service that supports your child, you and your family unit.
AFTER HOURS
All services required outside the hours of 9-5pm will incur a $20/hr additional cost.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made 48 hrs prior to an appointment will not incur a charge. Cancellations made less than 48 hrs prior to an appointment will incur 50% of full cost.