COAG INVESTMENT WILL HELP CLOSE THE GAP

The COAG commitment to invest in young Aboriginal children will produce immediate and real community benefits.

Researchers from Perth’s Telethon Institute for Child Health Research say there is overwhelming evidence to support the COAG focus on early childhood.

Co-author of the Institute’s ground-breaking WA Aboriginal Child Health Survey (WAACHS) , Professor Steve Zubrick, said the funding commitment is in line with the report’s recommendations.

“COAG couldn’t have chosen an area that will more effectively close the gap than this commitment to young Aboriginal children,” Professor Zubrick said.

“All the evidence points to the need to invest in solid programs early so Aboriginal children are not behind the eight-ball by the time they reach school.”

The WAACHS reports recommended that real improvements in Aboriginal child health and wellbeing required:

• Improvements to antenatal care and preparation for parenthood
• Programs that target both child and parent
• Specific training to parents about nutrition and  early childhood development, including language and  educational enrichment
• Workforce and professional development for people charged with delivering these programs effectively.

Professor Zubrick said the COAG action was in line with recommendations from the World Health Organisation and the World Bank that the most effective way to overcome disadvantage is through significant investment in early childhood.

“This is a major spend of taxpayer dollars and we need to ensure that the people providing these services will be accountable for progress,” he said.

“Effective change will take a concerted effort from the Commonwealth, States and communities and this announcement is a very significant step.”

The WA Aboriginal Child Health Survey was undertaken by  the Telethon Institute for Child Health (TICHR)  in conjuction with the Kulunga Research Network and the Centre for Developmental Health (a joint intitiative between Curtin University and TICHR).

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Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey (WAACHS)

The WAACHS was the largest and most comprehensive study of Aboriginal child health, well-being and development ever undertaken in Australia.

The survey was designed to build the knowledge to develop preventative strategies that promote the healthy development and the social, emotional, academic and vocational wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The survey included interviews with 11 300 family members, 2000 families, and more than 3000 teachers. It’s involved one in five Aboriginal children in Western Australia.

Survey work was  conducted in 2000 and 2001 by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (TICHR) in conjunction with the Kulunga Research Network. Four volumes of reports were produced covering  health, social and emotional wellbeing, education and, family and community.

The volumes can be downloaded at www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/waachs