In 1993 the Department of Community Services advertised for expressions of interest to set up programs for school leavers the following year. The initial group, known as Shoalhaven Group Enterprises started with four individuals who had varied programs in leisure, recreation, living skills and vocational training. They were based in Junction St, Nowra.
A coordinator and part time staff were employed and as the service grew the name was changed to FOCAS (which meant Finding Opportunities in the Community After School) to more readily reflect the types of services offered.
Services were offered in both Nowra and Ulladulla and by 1997 there were over 10 individuals supported and premises were sourced in Bomaderry and Ulladulla to accommodate the service.
Due to changes in circumstances and distances to travel, by 1998 FOCAS had moved to Norfolk Ave Nowra with 17 supported individuals and by 1999 Ulladulla was closed.
In 2005 FOCAS moved to Hyam St, Nowra to more effectively provide an individualised service to people with disability and remained there for 10 years. FOCAS continued to support people in finding valued roles in the community.
In March 2015, with the majority of our service catering to people in the community we relocated to our current address in Worrigee St, Nowra and since September of 2017 relocated again to a smaller premises in Worrigee Street.
Since May of 2019 FOCAS has been a registered provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.