History

CHI.L.D. is an incorporated voluntary organisation and registered charity whose constitutional charter is to serve the interests of children and young people with childhood language and related disorders through the promotion and provision of essential services. From 1979 the primary activity of CHI.L.D. has been the operation of The Glenleighden School at Fig Tree Pocket. In recent years the Association has expanded services to children in other schools and preschools across the State through its Outreach program. Government funding is necessary to operate both the school and the outreach services.

CHI.L.D. Association was formed in September 1976 to represent the interests of people with serious primary speech and language impairments. Since its foundation the Association has been firmly committed to a policy of both provision and promotion of essential services for children and young persons with these developmental and learning disabilities.

The Glenleighden School was established in 1979 on its present site at Fig Tree Pocket and received its Approved School Status as an independent special school in 1982. The school had its origins in a self help program conducted initially in the home of the Association's founder President, Mancel Ellis Robinson. From 1977 to 1979, the program was conducted in the Undercroft at Christ Church, St. Lucia. The CHI.L.D. program received no financial assistance from any government source until 1979 and no official acknowledgement of the community need for such a program until a submission to the federal government was successful in achieving a grant through the then Office of Child Care.

In 1994, CHI.L.D. Association received commonwealth assistance through Non-Schools Organisation to provide support to students in schools across Queensland. From tiny beginnings, the Outreach Program has grown, with provision for fee-paying services as well as NSO funded services.

Despite thirty years of service provision with increases in clientele and programs, CHI.L.D. Association continues to require support to improve facilities and resources. CHI.L.D.'s primary allocation of funding is for the provision of quality human resources to ensure the best outcomes possible for all students receiving support through the school and outreach programs.

Aims, Objectives and Mission

Mission Statement

It is CHI.L.D.'s mission to support children and young people with language disorders to achieve their educational and personal potential.

This involves both:

• the provision of the best of services in education for students with primary language disorders, and
• advocacy on behalf of those and other such students in education, government, health and community settings.

Objectives

• To enhance the reputation of CHI.L.D./Glenleighden as a ‘centre of excellence'.
• To contribute to advancements in understanding of primary language disorders.
• To provide assistance to children/young people with primary language disorders and their families who are unable to access appropriate and/or adequate programs and/or support.
• To highlight CHI.L.D. Association's contribution as a valued partner in the formation and implementation of policy or initiatives regarding primary language disorder.
• To ensure the ongoing sustainability and growth for quality and diversity of services.

Long-term aspirations

• National and international recognition as a ‘centre of excellence'
• A reputation for cohesive, knowledge-sharing staff and the high standards associated with its professional development program
• Expansion in facilities
• Informative high quality research centre
• Acknowledgment of educational programs as being at the leading edge
• A stable and growing funding base for operations.

Our motto is Achievement over Adversity.

Strategic Objectives

Research

• Conduct research projects that have functional relevance and which improve services and practices
• Develop and implement research to establish best practice and evidence based practices
• Establish strong linkages to the broader research community

Alliances

• Increase community awareness of childhood language and related disorders
• Form productive collaborative alliances with government and corporate sectors

Income

• Generate an independent income stream
• Demonstrate productive collaborative alliances with government and corporate sectors

Services

• Improve sustainability of services through creative service provision
• Provide services that more specifically and adequately meet each student's needs
• Increase accessibility of services to all families and children with childhood language disorders

Educational Best-Practice

• Provide contemporary, evidence-based practices in education and therapy
• Increase recognition by education and disability services that practices are appropriate, evidence-based and necessary

United Community

• Increase sharing of professional knowledge
• Increase understanding between different community memberships
• Support the wellbeing and quality of human resources

Platforms for Growth

• Preparation of a coherent, affordable, roll out plan within a manageable timeframe
• Expansion of facilities

Charitable Status

ABN Number:  80 797 929 089.
Registered Charity Number: CH0801
Letters Patent:  Registered 6th November, 1980.
Endorsement as an income tax exempt charitable entity as at 1st July, 2000.
Endorsement as a deductible gift recipient at 1st July, 2000.
Public benevolent institution.