Early Years Community Plan launched to give better outcomes for Central Great Southern

An Early Years Community Plan for children living in the central Great Southern region has been released as part of the Early Years Partnership (EYP) which has been launched to benefit children and families in the shires of Katanning, Kojonup, Gnowangerup and Broomehill-Tambellup.

The plan, part of the Early Years Partnership (EYP) between the State Government and the Minderoo Foundation, was developed by the local community and is focused on local priorities to improve outcomes in child health and development, financial wellbeing, family safety and maternal health.

“We are incredibly proud to work alongside the Western Australian Government in this unique partnership between philanthropy and government that is designed to do new things in new ways to support the development of children across WA,” said Minderoo’s Thrive by Five Director Jay Weatherill.

“Minderoo is particularly proud of the child dental program that has had a real impact in the central Great Southern and shows the power of partners working together to improve the health of children in our communities.”

The EYP aims to improve child wellbeing and school readiness for children aged from birth to four years of age across four Western Australian communities, including the central Great Southern region, where more than one in four children are considered developmentally vulnerable.

“This 10-year commitment across four sites in WA showcases how a place-based, community-led and innovative model using the best available research and evidence can demonstrate better ways to support children and families and gives us knowledge to benefit all Western Australian families and communities,” Mr Weatherill added. 

The ‘Children Growing Strong‘ Central Great Southern Community Plan has been co-designed with local communities and forms a roadmap for change for children living in the shires of Katanning, Kojonup, Gnowangerup and Broomehill-Tambellup.

The local communities identified five priority areas to support child wellbeing and school readiness:

• Child health
• Child development
• Financial wellbeing
• Family safety
• Maternal health.

The EYP will be implemented in partnership with a local working group, which is made up of representatives from local and State Government agencies, the four local shires, community organisations, families and community members.

Telethon Kids Institute is also involved in the partnership, providing research and evaluation support. A similar EYP is underway in Armadale West, and work is underway for similar plans in Derby and Bidyadanga in the Kimberley.

“We all want great outcomes for children, families and our wider community. The Early Years Partnership is a unique collaboration between the State Government and Minderoo Foundation that promotes new ways of working to achieve this,” said WA’s Education Minister Sabine Winton. 

“One of the keys to any localised initiative like this is hearing from people in the community who will benefit from the Plan, and making sure priorities, resources and solutions are tailored to their specific needs,” she continued.

“The co-design process has captured the community’s priorities and aspirations and that collaborative approach will continue as we work on improving outcomes for children and their families in the Central Great Southern.”

To review the EYP – Central Great Southern in full, please see here.