Indigenous Australians' Health Programme Connected Beginnings Program

Overview

This grant opportunity is part of the broader Australians’ Health Programme (IAHP) which contributes to Department of Health’s Portfolio Outcome 2.  – Health Access and Support Services. The Department of Health (the department) and the Department of Education and Training (Education) collaborate on the Connected Beginnings Program grant opportunity.  The Connected Beginnings grant opportunity focusses on integrating early childhood, maternal and child health, and family support services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to optimise children’s health and preparation for school. The organisations are Health service providers in Western Australia and situated near the lead agency site currently receiving funding. Organisations in other states were funded under previous grant opportunity rounds. The Program objectives focus on integrating early childhood, maternal and child health, and family support services in a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities so that children are healthy and best prepared for school.  The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are improved health outcomes and the achievement of developmental milestones by children in the funded school communities so they are ready to start school, able to learn and thrive. The integration of early childhood, maternal and child and family support services by the Connected Beginnings Program aims to reduce the disparity of education outcomes between Indigenous children and their non-Indigenous peers by addressing service fragmentation, early identification of issues and timely access to needed services that can be delivered in a more holistic manner.