- $34.6 million boost for Early Years
Partnership, achieving better outcomes for children
- Investment from Cook Government and Minderoo
Foundation to fund projects across WA
- Collaboration and co-design with community at
the heart of Early Years Partnership
The Cook Labor Government and Minderoo Foundation will continue
investing in better outcomes for WA children, with an injection of $34.6
million for the Early Years Partnership.
Funding of $15.6 million has been set aside in the upcoming State Budget
to support the 10-year-partnership, while Minderoo Foundation will provide an
additional $19 million to ensure continued investment in the critical stages of
child development.
This latest commitment builds on the State Government's existing investment
into the Early Years Partnership.
The Early Years Partnership is a collaboration between the State
Government, Minderoo Foundation and the Telethon Kids Institute. It aims to improve
the development, health and learning of children aged 0-4 years across its
partner communities of Armadale, Central Great Southern, Derby and Bidyadanga.
Each Early Years Partnership community has led the development of their
own Community Plan, identifying key priorities to improve children's wellbeing and
school readiness. The communities are supported to develop evidence-based
solutions which are implemented at the local level.
The combined funding uplift will deliver 24 priority projects under the
Early Years Partnership, supporting significant progress on the implementation
of Community Plans.
These projects include the construction of an Early Learning and Family
Centre (Derby), additional support for child dental health services (Great
Southern Region), increased Child and Maternal Health Checks (Armadale West),
and more accommodation for visiting early years and family support service
providers (Bidyadanga).
The budget boost will also help deliver improved access to early
learning, support early identification and intervention of developmental delay,
and provide critical family supports to enable children's development and
school readiness.
The Early Years Partnership is evaluated independently by Telethon Kids
Institute, ensuring the model can be utilised in communities facing similar
challenges, benefiting all Western Australian families and communities.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"An investment in the
early years of a child's life is an investment in the future.
"The Early Years
Partnership provides the foundations for our children to grow and learn, and
sets up communities for success.
"I'm proud that my
Government is continuing to invest in this important partnership with Minderoo
Foundation, to deliver projects across the State."
Comments attributed to Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine
Winton:
"The first five years of a child's life are critical to their development
and life outcomes.
"This investment will ensure the Early Years Partnership continues to
promote new ways of working to achieve great results for children, families and
the wider community.
"The Early Years Partnership prioritises community-led decision-making
and partnerships to implement solutions that build upon the strengths of each
community and addresses their unique challenges.
"The Cook
Government acknowledges the generous support of Minderoo Foundation, as well as
the local leadership and advocacy of the partner communities of Armadale West, Central
Great Southern, Derby and Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community."
Comments attributed to Minderoo
Foundation Co-Founder Nicola Forrest AO:
"This investment by Minderoo
Foundation and the State Government marks a major commitment
to addressing adversity and empowering stronger communities to
benefit the families and children of Western Australia.
"Minderoo has a core focus on
community-led, placed-based approaches to uplift child and community wellbeing
and we congratulate the State Government on having the conviction to co-fund
and the courage to trial innovative solutions that can circuit break cycles of
intergenerational disadvantage. This
firm commitment will enable the Early Years Partnership to have real, lasting
impact on children and families in WA and beyond."
