1.7: Early Childhood Health and Vulnerable Families

Strengthen the ability to identify and respond effectively to the needs of young children and vulnerable families.

Other Information:

The ACT Government has identified early childhood health and vulnerable families as priorities. Strategies include strengthening the ability to identify and respond effectively to the needs of young children and vulnerable families. There is a commitment to balance universal and targeted support services and prioritise first home visits to families with new infants, as well as explore and develop alternative service provision methods for maternal and child health nursing. Reducing the burden of disease in childhood and improving the immunisation uptake is achieved through provision of immunisation under the ACT Immunisation Strategy 2007–2010. All kindergarten-age children in the ACT are offered health screening, and there is scope to develop the program to the pre-school year under new federal initiatives. The IMPACT Program (Integrated Multi-agencies for Parents and Children Together) is an ACT Government initiative that aims to improve the system’s response to vulnerable families, specifically pregnant women, their partners and their families who have been identified as having a significant mental health issue or are receiving opioid replacement therapy. Under the umbrella of the ACT Children’s Plan 2004–14, the ACT Government is committed to strengthening community supports for good parenting and developing and implementing a child health policy for the ACT.

Stakeholder(s):

• Young Children


• Vulnerable Families

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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