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Using innovation to redress inequity
Driving the work at the Centre for Community Child Health is our desire to see every child fulfil their potential. Unfortunately evidence tells us there remains much to be done for children to have the experiences and environments that enable them to thrive. Research reveals a widening gap between the most and least advantaged children, and those who were experiencing disadvantage before the COVID-19 pandemic are facing greater challenges.
Taking action now is important to prevent further inequities from becoming entrenched and more difficult to redress. The pandemic has taught us that rapid innovation is possible. Now is the time to think and act differently. An MJA article led by CCCH Director, Prof Sharon Goldfeld, provides suggestions on where we might start, outlining five potential strategies to begin to address inequity.
In this edition we share action we are taking as a Centre to redress inequities across multiple levels. Plus, we have a range of free resources – including our next webinar – and invite you to check out three exciting opportunities to join our dedicated, skilled and passionate team.
Webinar | Empowering parents, empowering practitioners: responding effectively to the mental health needs of children and families
Date: Tuesday 11 October 2022
Time: 12:30pm –1:30pm AEDT
Cost: Free
Join us for our next Thriving Children, Thriving Communities webinar where we will explore resources and strategies developed to help young people and families access the support they need including COMPASS (COnnecting Mental-health PAediatric Specialists and community Services), the Raising Healthy Minds App and the FindWays website.
Panellists: Dr Daniel Peyton, Professor Harriet Hiscock, Dr Jenny Maxwell and Derek McCormack.
Restacking the Odds is hiring!
We're looking for a highly motivated Research & Data Lead to develop and execute the research and data strategy for the innovative RSTO project. Apply now!
Join our team as a mid-career researcher in child mental health
We are hiring a mid-career researcher to lead an exciting three-year project focused on community-led responses to enhance children’s mental health. Apply now!
MHiPS student opportunities
Are you interested in an honours or Master's student project, or a PhD focused on children's mental health? The Mental Health in Primary Schools team is looking to connect with future students to explore and shape relevant projects.
Distinguished service in paediatrics
Congratulations to the Centre’s Associate Professor Jill Sewell and Associate Professor Gehan Roberts for being awarded life membership of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australia.
Game-changing tool supporting children's mental health
The Children's Wellbeing Continuum, developed under the leadership of Prof Frank Oberklaid, is being heralded by experts as a game-changer for children’s mental health by reducing stigma, detecting those who are struggling and linking them to early support services.
COVID-19 and kids
We've added two new journal articles to our CCCH COVID-19 and Kids Resource Hub. Learn about child and family experiences during the pandemic with:
- mental health
- hearing‐health services for deaf and hard‐of‐hearing children.
A conversation series at the Sydney Opera House
What could the future of school look like if it valued health in the same way it values literacy and numeracy? Join Prof Pasi Sahlberg, Prof Sharon Goldfeld and other special guests as they discuss. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.
Can we eliminate the impacts of congenital CMV?
Last month the Thriving Children, Thriving Communities webinar series explored congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV): what it is, how it affects children's healthy development, and the efforts dedicated to identifying and reducing congenital CMV.
Take a look at the webinar recording and associated resources.
Neurodiversity in children
Raisingchildren.net.au is excited to publish a new article on neurodiversity in children that helps parents understand that there is natural variation in how people’s brains work and how people experience, understand and interact with the world.
Creating a 'one-stop stop' for the needs of children and families
In this important webinar recording from NAPCAN's National Child Protection Week 2022, the Centre's Prof Harriet Hiscock, Dr Suzy Honisett and Dr Tess Hall describe how to best design hubs to meet the needs of families.
The Centre’s team is part of national and international efforts to advocate for equitable real-life improvements in children's health, development and wellbeing. Here are some recent media items showcasing our work.
MCRI professor Sharon Goldfeld on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young people, Interview by ABC Radio National, 21 Aug 2022.
Paediatricians float solutions for deteriorating access problems, RACGP, 31 Aug 2022.
Kids in out of home care- How can the GP help?, The Maze Phase, June 2022.
Wanna Pee Starting Something with Prof Sharon Goldfeld, DadPod with Charlie Clausen and Osher Günsberg, 18 Aug 2022.
Dr Billy Garvey talks Finding Nemo + kids who can't focus, Pop Culture Parenting podcast, 29 Aug 2022.
Dr Karen McLean on Child Safe Part 1: Kids in care (18:42), The September Issue podcast, Nursing Australia, 4 Sept 2022.
The Centre’s academic papers share findings from our Health Services,
Policy & Equity and Prevention Innovation research groups. Here are some recent publications showcasing our work.
Schools are often seen as a key setting for the provision of mental health support for children. This study was undertaken with 17 primary school educators to harness their insights on the external factors that can undermine effective support of children's mental health across education and healthcare.
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of developmental disability and a common cause of permanent hearing loss in infants. Despite this, Australia lacks a comprehensive approach to CMV screening, and most infected infants go undiagnosed. Learn the case for why we need targeted infant screening for CMV in Australia.
Etiology, comorbidities, and health Service use in a clinical cohort of children with hearing loss
Receiving an etiological diagnosis for hearing loss can inform reproductive planning and rehabilitation outcomes as well as predict additional disabilities, and direct intervention decisions. In this clinical cohort, most children had received a confirmed/suspected etiological diagnosis and services use was associated with number of comorbidities, regardless of hearing loss severity.
This study aimed to describe hearing-health service use, especially use of telehealth, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in deaf/hard-of-hearing children. Parents reported several challenges and facilitators of service access during the pandemic, including that they found telehealth more difficult and of worse quality compared to in-person supports.
Our online and eLearning courses for early childhood health, education, care and research professionals draw on our cutting-edge research and clinical work.
Our talented team of training professionals has expanded to deliver more courses across more locations throughout 2022 (including international), through both face-to-face and online facilitation. We are available to support your practice as you adapt to new and innovative ways of working. For more information visit: rch.org.au/ccch/training-dev
Upcoming CCCH course dates
20 September Difficult Conversations: How do we have them? [Register]
27 September Engaging Families [Register]
4 October Reflective Practice [Register]
5 October Family Partnership Model Supervision Course [Register]
7 October PEDS workshop [Register]
7 November Introduction to the Family Partnership Model [Register]
11 November PEDS Train the trainer workshop [Register]
eLearning courses
Infant Sleep [Enrol]
Laying the Foundations [Enrol]
Let's Read [Enrol]
PEDS Foundation (Course 1) & PEDS Advanced Practice (Course 2) [Enrol]
Understanding sleep and safe sleep practices in early childhood education and care [Enrol]
PEDS and Laying the Foundations eLearning courses are accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
Ask us about our customised training options. Email us at training.ccch@rch.org.au
