Philanthropy supporting early intervention
Stronger Families Learning Exchange Bulletin No.6 Spring/Summer 2004 p.37
After just two years, a new charitable foundation is demonstrating how it is living up to its commitment to making a real difference in the lives of children and young people. The Early Learnings report was launched by Telstra Foundation Director, Mr Bill Scales, AO, in Melbourne on Friday 22 October 2004.
Early Learnings reported the study a study of 14 innovative community-based projects undertaken for the Telstra Foundation by a team of researchers from the Stronger Families Learning Exchange at the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Early Learnings showcases the positive results that can be achieved when issues are tackled early or when people with passion and commitment see a need and are determined that children have better chances in life.
The report features ten family strengthening projects and four that promote the importance of early literacy and language development. The projects are different from one another in their settings and purposes. However, they all show that establishing trust and developing strong partnerships are the cornerstones of introducing a new way of thinking and doing.
For example:
- A national support network for siblings of children with disabilities has been established in recognition of the family stresses and difficulties that such children are grappling with.
- Children and their carers are dealing with the grief of losing a parent or family member to illicit drugs through an innovative therapy program.
- Another organisation has been able to expand a help-line established by a parent of children with disabilities into a nation-wide service. Now parents throughout Australia are supporting each other and reducing their sense of isolation and despair.
- In one region a collaboration between health and family support services is providing ongoing supports for mothers with illicit drug issues, developing a proactive approach that has significantly reduced the number of babies born with withdrawal symptoms and being removed into out of home care.
- In another region, schools are working with community organisations and providing greater coordinated supports for children with complex problems and their families.
Emerging literacy programs for pre-schoolers are much more than just early reading programs. Such programs are assisting the early detection of toddlers' sensory problems (such as hearing difficulties) that may otherwise go undiagnosed until school, and reducing isolation and linking families with other community supports and services. Literacy programs provide a non-stigmatising way to provide basic resources for all children, and families are confidently using local community infrastructure such as libraries for the first time. Parents involved in an early literacy project have gained the confidence to return to study and gain formal qualifications, and schools are forging stronger links with their communities by making their facilities available for playgroups and parent support programs.L
The full Early Learnings report, as well as information about Telstra Foundation grants and application processes, are available online at www.telstrafoundation.com.
