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Reflections from our Director
While it has been a challenging year, it feels as though the importance of the early years is becoming more widely recognised at a policy level and across many areas of government. Perhaps this is a silver lining of COVID-19? This shift is fuelling us with a renewed sense of hope for the opportunities ahead. We’re optimistic that our collective efforts will be able to bring about meaningful change to ensure every child thrives and that we can redress inequity within a generation. As a Centre, we will continue to tackle inequity by stacking key evidence-informed strategies and approaches.
Evidence tells us much can be done to deliver measurable improvements in children’s health, development and wellbeing. A recent report by the Centre for the Department of Social Services reinforces the enduring benefits of investing in the early years. I’m looking forward to joining the National Early Years Strategy Advisory Panel and participating in the 2023 Early Years Summit, which provides an opportunity to work together to achieve change.
It is our vision that all children – regardless of where they live or who they are – have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. We’ve identified six priority areas for impact to help us enable this vision: Equitable services, Healthy child development, Mental health for life, Connected and confident parents, Thriving communities, and Education, health and social care working together. This work – which we are really passionate about – would not be possible without the support of our partners and collaborators, and we’d like to thank each of you for your ongoing support and interest in our Centre. We look forward to connecting and partnering with you in new and exciting ways in 2023.
In this final newsletter for 2022, we’d like to share with you our most popular stories, resources, academic papers and webinars. Most importantly, we hope that you all have a wonderful and safe end to the year and enjoy some well-deserved down time with friends and family.
Warm wishes,
Prof Sharon Goldfeld
Director, Centre for Community Child Health
Every child thrives
Discover how we are working to advance children's health, development and wellbeing.
Year in review
Thanks for spending 2022 with us. Here are the top resources and news stories from this year.
COVID-19 and Kids
Our COVID-19 and Kids Resource Hub brings together the latest research and evidence-based resources on COVID-19 and kids. The Hub also features our COVID-19 and Kids infographic.
Webinar: Shifting the focus
This Thriving Children, Thriving Communities series webinar bought together Anne Hollonds, Pasi Sahlberg, Leanne Rodriquez and Sharon Goldfeld to explore the emerging effects of COVID-19 on children and families as well as the actions we need to take to build back differently so that every child thrives.
Children's Wellbeing Continuum
The Children’s Wellbeing Continuum is an evidence-based tool designed to support conversations about children’s wellbeing. The Continuum supports health literacy, and early identification and action when children are struggling.
From consumer to partner
This Policy Brief continues to be widely accessed in 2022. The Policy Brief focuses on the nature and importance of partnerships between parents and professionals and explores three distinct types of partnerships.
How to increase participation in early years services
The Promising Practice in Best Start series captures what is being learnt through Best Start about how to use quality improvement to increase participation in early years services. The series draws on insights from Best Start facilitators and is produced by the Centre.
Sleep with Kip
Sleep with Kip is a series of six children’s books designed to teach children healthy sleep habits. The books use evidence-based, clinically validated sleep strategies to help families support children’s sleep in a fun and friendly way.
Popular academic papers
1. Potential indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and families: In this MJA paper, the authors use a community child health lens to organise the findings and consider how Australia might best respond to the needs of children.
2. Do Integrated models of care improve mental health outcomes for children experiencing adversity? This systematic review reported on common dimensions of effective integrated hubs. Incorporating effective integration elements into hubs could help to enhance mental health in children experiencing adversity.
We hope you have a healthy, safe and joyous end to 2022
