Access awarded

A GREATER Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia partnership took home a Victorian Early Years Award last week – and $15,000.
The Maternal and Child Health and South East Family Services Alliance received Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Wendy Lovell’s special commendation at a ceremony on 23 October.
The collaboration has paved the way for improved access and participation levels in early childhood programs in the south-east.
South East Family Services Alliance initiated a pilot project after finding that vulnerable children and families at-risk were not readily accessing support services as well as they could.
With support from council maternal and child health services, it sought to address the disadvantage by increasing awareness, referral and participation levels in early years services.
Key to the project was building the capacity of professionals to work with young children and foster links between Child FIRST Connections, family services and early childhood stakeholders.
There has been an increase in the number of vulnerable children receiving developmental checks and ongoing participation in services across the region.
“By recognising a problem and addressing it with a targeted and collaborative solution, vulnerable children in Melbourne’s south-east are already receiving more checks and better support,” Ms Lovell said.
“Thanks to this vital work, these children can look forward to a brighter future.”
She said the awards highlighted the “creativity, incredible team work and leadership that continue to define the early years sector in this state”.
The night’s four winners each received a $15,000 state government grant to further enhance their programs.
The Early Years Awards are now in their eighth year and attract many applications from across the state, from which 13 finalists were chosen.
“By showcasing their achievements tonight, we are driving improvement and innovation across the sector,” Ms Lovell said.