Poster Presentation Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2016

Investing in the early years pays dividends for this generation and the next (#241)

Justin Files 1 , Garth Alperstein 1 , Lesley Harvey 1
  1. Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corp, Broken Hill, NSW, Australia

Maari Ma's Early Years Project was developed after looking at the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) key indicators for child development and wellbeing [1] and has been growing since 2009. Looking at available data and taking an evidence-based approach, we have implemented a multi-faceted program incorporating early literacy, learning through play, engaging families in a culturally safe place, social inclusion, school readiness, and professional development across disciplines and sectors to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children in the far west of NSW.

  1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009, Key national indicators of children’s health, development and wellbeing–Indicator framework for A picture of Australia’s children 2009, Bulletin 58, AIHW, Canberra.