COAG Aboriginal Child Health Project

1. COAG Aboriginal Child Health Project Child and Adolescent Community Health Delivering a Healthy WA

2. COAG Aboriginal Child Health Project Funding: • State Funded COAG initiative • IECD Element 3 ‘Increased access to and use of maternal and child health services by Indigenous families’.

3. COAG Aboriginal Child Health Project Focus:Aboriginal children aged 0 – 5 years Aim: Ensure all Aboriginal children and their families have access to and receive the same level of health care – no matter the setting. • WA has a comprehensive system of continuous Aboriginal child health and development surveillance for children with identified needs commencing in the antenatal period until the child reaches school • Clear pathways into specialist and treatment centres for children with identified health needs

4. How would this make a difference? Scenario: 4 year Aboriginal boy started Kindy • Getting into trouble • Difficulty playing with the other kids • Doesn’t enjoy school • Speech difficulties

5. Next steps • School Health Nurse • Poor hearing • Poor language skills • GP • Chronic ear infection – Otitis Media • Audiologist • Significant hearing loss • ENT specialist • Grommets • Speech therapist • 2 years

6. Implications • Delays in speech - reading and writing • Child misbehaviour – stresses on child and family • Social and emotional well being of child compromised • Sustained medical intervention

7. System of continuous Aboriginal child health and development surveillance • Home visiting from a health service • Regular checks including health education and prevention • Ongoing relationship with the family • 18 month old check - Speech delay - Mum says he is ignoring her

8. Next Steps • Community Health Staff • Poor hearing • Poor language skills • GP • Chronic ear infection – Otitis Media • Antibiotics & monitoring • Community Health Staff • Parent Education - how to clean ears - general hygiene • Ongoing monitoring & surveillance

9. Implications • Normal speech development • Increased likelihood of: • Embracing and enjoying the whole school life experience • Making & keeping friends • Learning (reading, writing etc) • Appropriate behaviour • Increased confidence and well being of care givers

10. The Principle of Partnership Effectively meeting the health needs of Aboriginal children and their families requires all health service providers to: • Work in partnership with each other at a Statewide, regional and local level. • Engage and work in partnership with families using a strengths-based approach.

11. Leadership & Oversight An Interagency Initiative that has a strong sense of shared ownership. COAG Aboriginal Child Health Project Steering Group • Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia • Child & Adolescent Community Health • Office of Aboriginal Health • Women & Newborn Health Service • WA General Practice Network • WA Country Health Service • Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health • Child and Youth Health Network • Women and Newborn Health Network • Kulunga Research Network, TICHR • St John of God Health Care – Social Outreach & Advocacy

12. COAG Aboriginal Child Health Project • It’s a Project not a Program • 2 FTE - dedicated resource to all health stakeholder agencies. • Christine Smart – Project, Strategic and Policy Support • Anne Wilson – Training and Education

13. Strategic Project & Policy Support • Agreed Statewide Clinical Governance Framework for Aboriginal Child Health. • Strategic work with identified regions to build interagency relationships and formalise partnerships • Promotion & Marketing • External Partnerships • Project Interface with Aboriginal Maternity Services Support Unit • Resources

14. Training & Education • Organisation/Region-specific • Upon request • Based on training/education needs • Training will be accessed or tailored to suit organisation/area • Generic Statewide • Based on Aboriginal Child Health Knowledge & Skillset • Supported staff travel/accommodation (this year only) • Registrations available (please assist with promoting)

15. Aboriginal Child Health Upskilling Course • Tuesday 7th June to Friday 10th June 2011 • For staff delivering Aboriginal Child Health services • Aboriginal Health Workers • Remote/Rural Nurses and Midwives • Generalist and Registered Nurses • Another course likely to be offered 22nd – 26th Aug • Based on the NT Healthy Kids Under 5’s Education Package • Facilitated by Sue Kruske (RN, RM, Assoc. Prof, Maternal Family Health Consultant and Lecturer Charles Darwin University) and various specialists

16. Aboriginal Child Health Practice Development Event for Aboriginal Health Workers • Tuesday 31st May – Thursday 2nd June 2011 • 2.5 day PD Forum at All Seasons, Perth • Proposed program may include: • Talking about parents concerns about their child’s development (PEDS) Frances Page Glascoe (USA) • Understanding Perinatal Mental Health and Screening women with Depression (EPDS) (Community Health & WA Perinatal Mental Health Unit) • Child Development – what to expect (Developmental Paediatrician) • Arts and Health workshop • Optional tour of PMH or KEMH

17. Statewide Aboriginal Child Health Project Contacts: • Christine Smart A/Senior Policy Officer Ph: 93236662 Mob:0457512962 Christine.Smart@health.wa.gov.au • Anne Wilson A/Senior Workforce Development Officer Ph: 93236684 Mob: 0410636509 Anne.Wilson@health.wa.gov.au