“Early Intervention” in Family & Pre-school Children Services Report Back Seminar “Early Intervention” in Family & Pre-school Children Services Nov 14 –18, 2005 Sydney by Angela NG, HKCSS

BACKGROUND “Early Years are Important” – this concept has been widely discussed and adopted by different countries in setting out related policies. US study showed that for every US$1 invested in services to help families with children, US$4 was saved within three years on child protection, health, education and justice system. And by the time the children were adults, US$7 had been saved.

The Hong Kong movement on promoting support to Early Years started only recently. Discussion forum was held in Commission on Youth’s 2001Youth Summit. A Committee on Promoting Holistic Development of Pre-school Children was formed in Dec 2002 Chaired by Director of Health, the Committee aimed to formulate principles and strategies for promoting holistic development of children, recommend coordinated programme development and implementation, recommend publicity strategies to raise family and community awareness of the important role of parents/caregivers in child early years development.

A Need Assessment Report of Children Aged 0-5 Years was prepared in 2004 by DH Government in the 2005 Policy Address announced the introduction of Head Start Programme (now renamed as CCDS Comprehensive Child Development Scheme) Headed by Department of Health, a Pilot was launched in Shum Shui Po

Government Departments visited Department of Family and Community Services of Australian Government - Commonwealth Stronger Families and Communities Team Department of Community Services (DoCS) – Family First Unit and Multicultural Unit

NGOs visited Burwood Family Support Service NSW Family Services Inc Somerville Park Early Childhood Education Centre Commission for Children and Young People YWCA Sydney Immigrant Women’s Speak Out Association

A Comparison of Policies on Supporting Children and Families of Four Countries

Two Different Approaches Children’s Early Years Development Poverty Eradication

Poverty Eradication By providing support to low income and disadvantaged families can help to break the poverty cycle 1. USA – Head Start http://www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/2. 2. UK – Sure Start http://www.surestart.gov.uk/

U.S.A. – Head Start increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive programme to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs

U.K. – Sure Start To achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities by : increasing availability of childcare for all children improving health and emotional development for young children supporting parents as parents and in their aspiration towards employment To halve children poverty in 2010

Children’s Early Years Development The years before six are the most influential to a child's development. Supports provided to young children and their families can help to facilitate their lifelong learning, behaviour and health. 1. Canada Ontario – Early Years http://www.cfcs.gov.on.ca/oeyc/en/home.htm 2. Australia NSW – Families First http://www.familiesfirst.nsw.gov.au

Canada Ontario - Early Years    to improve the health and well-being of children under six to help parents in their important role to provide equal access to early years information across the province to help communities address the needs of their youngest children

The Australian Experience in Promoting “Early Intervention” : NSW “FAMILY FIRST” Programme and other Government Policies

Government Structure of AU Commonwealth Government State Government (e.g. NSW, Victoria) Local Government

Commonwealth Government Department of Family and Community Services The Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) is part of the Australian Government's family and community services portfolio which is responsible for a broad range of social policies and support affecting Australian society and the living standards of Australian families.

The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy was first announced in April 2000. It is an Australian Government initiative giving families, their children and communities the opportunity to build a better future. (http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/aboutfacs/programs/sfsc-sfcs.htm) The Strategy focuses on early intervention, prevention and capacity building initiatives to support and strengthen Australian families and communities by working with them.

There are four streams to the 2004-2009 Strategy: Communities for Children C4C Early Childhood - Invest to Grow Local Answers Choice and Flexibility in Child Care

Australian Government has developed a National Agenda for Early Childhood 2004 (http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/family/early_childhood.htm) It is a powerful statement about the value of young children in AU and of all governments’ commitment to supporting young children and their families. It focuses on : Healthy young families Early learning and care Supporting families and parenting Creating child-friendly communities

Department of Community Services (DoCS) The NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) is the leading NSW Government agency responsible for promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and to build stronger families and communities.

Early Intervention Programme The DoCS Early Intervention Programme provides support and services for families facing specific difficulties to help prevent their problems from escalating. DoCS will provide funding of almost AU$150 million over the five-year period (2003/04-2007/08).

Main Targets Families who are either expecting a child or who have children aged eight years or younger, who face specific problems such as: domestic violence, drug or alcohol programs, mental health issues, lack of family or social support, parental learning difficulties or intellectual disability, child behaviour management problems

The aim of the program is to prevent family problems from escalating. Services available under the Programme include: - home visiting - parenting programs - quality childcare - an early intervention worker Funding is available for NGOs or local Council to apply for delivering Early Intervention Programmes.

Families First is the NSW Government’s prevention and early intervention strategy to help parents give their children under eight a good start in life. In 2003/04 DoCS Families First budget was AU$23.26 million from which 338 Families First projects were purchased including over 200 ongoing Projects.

It helps to improve children’s health and well- being by:   Helping parents to build their skills and confidence in their parenting; Supporting parents so they can respond to problems early; Building communities that support families; Improving the way agencies work together to make sure families get the services and support they need.

Families First is delivered jointly by five Government agencies i) NSW Health and Area Health Services, ii) Community Services, iii) Education and Training, iv) Housing and Ageing, v) Disability and Home Care. The Office of Children and Young People monitor the development and implementation of the Government’s approach through the Families First strategy.

Families First relies on Government and non-Government services working differently together and with communities to plan and develop more responsive and coordinated services. Families First works on a strong evidence base, utilizing service models that research indicates provide good outcomes for children.

Main Programmes include: Family Worker Services Schools as Community Centres Supported Playgroups Universal Health Home Visiting Volunteers Home Visiting Services

An Early Years Framework The Commission on Children and Young People released A Head Start for Australia: An Early Years Framework in 2005. It is a blue-print that sets out what we can do - individually and as a community - to give all Australian kids a great 'head start' in life. The framework shows that everyone has a role to play in helping to give kids a head start - all levels of government, businesses, families, even people without kids.

Priority Outcomes Areas Supporting the well-being of women of child-bearing age. Promoting child well-being. Supporting the choices of families in their parental and working roles. Enriching, safe and supportive environments for children.

Improving economic security for families and reducing child poverty Achieving success in learning and social development Protecting the safety of children Promoting connections across generations, families, cultures and communities. Increasing children’s participation: policy action, awareness raising and advocacy.

Evaluation of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy 2000-2004 Early intervention in early childhood can have significant long-term benefits in three areas: child development; parent-child attachment; and broader family relationships between parents and/or the extended family.

The Way Ahead

Effective Early Intervention Services for Families and Young Children Responsiveness to local needs and consumer participation; Holistic approaches that build community connections; A focus on family strengths and building skills; Accessible and inclusive approaches;

Early intervention in the child’s life and at key transition points, with a long-term preventative orientation; Effective coordination and inter-sectoral collaboration; A skilled workforce; An outcome, evidence-driven approach.

Parents in Hong Kong

Essential Programmes screening and support for high risk pregnancy from antenatal stage special support team to provide a variety of family support programmes home visit and outreaching programme at post-natal stage accessible resource center with drop-in function

community health service quality childcare in different formats supported playgroup programme to ensure school readiness programme for special need groups both formal and informal networking amongst parents

Universal vs. Targeted There is more risk of a delay in intervention if families are not already engaged in a service from pregnancy and birth, and therefore less chance that potential problems can be averted before they arise or become entrenched. There is the risk that the process of targeting particular families or individuals can lead to labeling effects, where their identification leads to self-fulfilling prophecies of failure.

Encouraging a preventative and early intervention approach Prevention and early intervention is about helping and supporting families and communities early on, before problems become entrenched.

Supporting people through life transitions Transitions are times of major change in people’s lives and include events such as finding a job, entering a committed adult relationship, having a baby, approaching retirement and coping with grief. It is recognized that people often need extra support or access to information and advice during these times and are often very receptive to new ideas.

Worthy Investment ? Olds et al (1997) reported results of a 15-year follow-up of prenatal and early childhood home visitation by nurses and found a reduction (compared to a control group that did not receive the program) in the number of subsequent pregnancies, the use of welfare, child abuse and neglect, and criminal behaviour on the part of low-income, unmarried mothers for up to 15 years after the birth of the first child.

Happier & Stronger Families HAPPIER & STRONGER COMMUNITY