Children’s Ground Family Health and Wellbeing will undergo a $5.4 million, three-year expansion, with the Morrison Government extending support for the unique, long-term project.
Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt AM said the funding would build on existing Government support for Children’s Ground in Alice Springs, aiming to give First Nations children the best opportunities to live long, healthy, fulfilling and productive lives.
“The best people to change our health are our people,” said Minister Wyatt. “The Children’s Ground approach promotes local warriors for health and wellbeing, to help guide children and young people through their first 25 years of life.”
Children’s Ground works to surround children with safe, loving and trauma-free environments, based on a strong cultural foundation, by focussing on:
- Learning
- Family health
- Economic development
- Community development
- Cultural development
It was founded by CEO Jane Vadiveloo and Chair William Tilmouth in 2011, with the objective of allowing children to grow into adults, in control of their social, cultural, political and economic life.
“Our team greatly welcomes this recognition and support, which is an invaluable opportunity to ensure the involvement of Elders and all community members in developing education and health services,” said Ms Vadiveloo.
“It is critical to ensuring long-term, enduring change and delivering community based, self-empowered health for First Nations peoples.”
The Children’s Ground program embraces not just the child but also their family and their community in determining their future.
“It integrates health promotion and prevention by building relationships with the circle of people in which they live,” Minister Wyatt said.
“Implemented through Children’s Ground learning and cultural teams, the focus is First Nations languages and systems, while also linking strongly with quality primary health care.
“By giving our children respect for both traditional and contemporary culture, I am confident the Family Health and Wellbeing Framework will continue making a real difference.”
Children’s Ground teams include cultural health practitioners such as traditional healers and bush medicine producers, Aboriginal health workers, health promotion and public health practitioners, social and emotional wellbeing experts, community development and environmental health workers, and nutritionists.
The Family Health and Wellbeing Framework will be implemented in two regions in the Northern Territory – Central Australia and the Arnhem Land.
The Children’s Ground expansion is funded through the Indigenous Australians Health Program, which is providing $3.9 billion to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the next four years.
