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August 2026
Implementing Thriving Kids
For over 30 years, the Centre for Community Child Health (the Centre) has worked to understand and better meet the health, developmental and wellbeing needs of children.
The Centre recognises the Thriving Kids initiative as a unique opportunity to put evidence into action to improve children’s development and empower families.
Implementing Thriving Kids is a series written by contributing authors from the Centre and our partner organisations that puts forward what is required for a strong national and state/territory approach to equity-focused action. Together, the publications consolidate evidence and practice wisdom from years of experience working with children, families, services and communities.
- Issue 1 outlines a practical dual-track approach to Thriving Kids - accelerating learning while building the necessary system capability and infrastructure.
- Issues 2-6 explore what implementation might look like across each Thriving Kids domain of support.
- Issues 7-9 examine how system enablers (learning and evaluation, workforce development and the contribution of children and families) are critical for success.
All 9 publications will be released over the coming weeks, with Issues 1 and 3 out now.
Realising the Vision
Issue 1 lays the foundation of the series with a focus on strengthening universal services, identifying the role of parenting and targeted supports, and presenting a dual-track approach to accelerate implementation.
Effective Early Identification
Issue 3 describes how to support services and their workforce to ensure all children have access to timely, appropriate and accessible early identification.
This newsletter also features:
- upcoming webinars from Restacking the Odds (RSTO) and Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS)
- an article by Dr Anna Price on new evidence highlighting the sustained impacts of cost-of-living stress on children's mental health
- a Changing Children's Chances collaboration with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) providing insights into residential moving trends for Australian children
- the September session of the Child Development Behaviour and Mental Health series on prescribing for patients with anxiety and depression.
An early years relational practice model
The Relational Ecosystem Model (REM) is a product of several years of work at the Centre. Catch up on our webinar where we introduced the model and heard from a parent, practitioner and service leader.
Webinar: From data overload to decision ready
Our webinar on Wednesday 9 September will spotlight RSTO. The panel will explore what leading with decisions looks like in practice to support children’s health, development and wellbeing. Register now.
Accelerating equitable systems for children
Drawing on recent papers from the Centre, this MJA Insight article describes how existing data can be better organised to inform decisions that shape how service systems are delivered. Read more.
Strengthening change for Child and Family Hubs
The National Child and Family Hubs Network was featured in the 2025 MCRI Annual Report. Read more.
Inquiry into factors driving educational attainment
In June, MCRI made a submission to a parliamentary inquiry addressing drivers of differences in educational outcomes and potential evidence-based solutions to reduce inequities. Read more.
Hearing research around the world
The Childhood Deafness and Hearing Research Team showcased their research and formed new international collaborations across the United States and Europe. Read more.
Prescribing for patients with anxiety and depression
The fourth session in the 2026 paediatric professional development series will be on held on Wednesday 2 September. Learn more.
This webinar will be presented by Dr Chidambaram Prakash, Director of Mental Health at The Royal Children’s Hospital.
'It’s really useful to attend sessions for a multidisciplinary audience. I’ll definitely use this.' – 2025 program participant
Missed the first two sessions of the 2026 series? Recordings and resources are available to watch on-demand. Register now.
The wellbeing crisis in schools: what must change now?
The Centre's Jon Quach, Sharon Goldfeld and Frank Oberklaid spoke at the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Education Dean's Lecture Series. Watch the session recording.
Strengthening Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for Primary School Students
Join this free webinar on Tuesday 14 September to learn how the MHiPS is supporting schools to build a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing in Victoria and Queensland. Register now.
A clearer picture of children’s residential mobility
An ABS collaboration with Changing Children’s Chances provided insights into how often Australian children move address, at what age, and whether moves take them to areas experiencing more or less disadvantage. Read more.
New video series: Growing Together
Raising Children Network and ABC Kids Early Education have partnered to produce a series that is designed to help parents and carers support their child’s learning and development at home. Watch now.
Children are feeling cost-of-living pressures too
When adults worry about paying rent, buying groceries, managing debt, or keeping up with rising bills, children experience those pressures too. Read more.
Listening to children shape landcare and climate learning in early childhood
This case study draws on the Voice of the Child toolkit to explore how children engage with environmental ideas. Read more.
Don't wait for our newsletter for updates from across the Centre!
Thriving Kids Rollout. 7.30 ABC.
Using data to accelerate equitable systems for children. MJA Insight.
School Mental Health Program Delivers Boost for Victorian Students. 10 News.
Children are feeling the cost-of-living pressures too. Power to Persuade.
The unsettled infant - holding the baby in mind. 16 June 2026, Medicine Today.
Addressing Socioeconomic Inequities in Children's Cardiovascular Health via Positive Experiences. 2 July 2026, Academic Paediatrics.
Understanding child mobility in Australia 2006-2021. 28 July 2026, Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Upcoming course dates
Engaging Families. 19 & 26 October Online Register
Working in Partnership with Families. 5 & 12 November Online Register
Reflective Practice. 9, 16 & 23 November Online Register
Email us to inquire about our customised training options.
