COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Ranger 4 Life delivered by ABC Foundation

 

Tom Price

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ABC Foundation has designed Ranger For Life (R4L) as a holistic program that incorporates parents/guardians, children, teachers and elders in delivery. The program works with three target groups,
(1) children currently in the school system and who are at risk of becoming disengaged, (2) children transitioning into the school system and (3) children completely disengaged and not within the school system.

 

Both parents/guardians and their children learn through an On-Country language exchange, both in written and verbal form i.e. Listening to country. Enhancing the current knowledge base through understanding the importance of good communication and interpretation of a healthy natural environment. This approach can provide the foundation for children to enter the school system and parents/guardians to feel confident and empowered to further support their children from a very early age, with generational knowledge of country.

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R4L works closely with local Primary Schools and service providers including Nintirri Inc., Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation, the respective Native Title Bodies and Tom Price health services to ensure success is delivered through a strong collaborative approach.

R4L was confirmed as an Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) Promising Program in 2018, and ABC Foundation are working towards accreditation as an evidence-based program.

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Contact: https://abcau.com.au/

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Tuning Into Kids delivered by Karratha Central Healthcare

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Karratha

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Tuning in to Kids® (TIK) is an AIFS-approved evidence-based parenting program that aims to give parents and caregivers helpful ways of teaching their child the skills of emotional intelligence. The program teaches “emotion coaching”, which is to recognise, understand and respond to children’s emotions in an accepting, supportive way. This approach nurtures a positive parent-child relationship and helps parents and caregivers support children to understand and manage their emotions.

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The TIK program focuses on a number of central skills that assist people to respond to emotions in themselves and others, which include not only understanding those emotions, but being able to regulate and use those emotions in a positive way.

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The program builds on the strengths that parents already have. It recognises that every family is unique and that parents/carers know their children best. The program encourages them to use the ideas from the TIK programs that best work for them and their family.

Karratha Central Healthcare will deliver one cycle of the program for fathers/male caregivers, a specific adaptation of TIK.

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Contact: info@karrathahealthcare.org.au 

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West Pilbara Wellbeing Program delivered by Karratha Central Healthcare

Karratha schools

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The West Pilbara Wellbeing Program actively targets the promotion of good mental health and the reduction of risk for adverse mental health conditions. The program centres on a skill-building approach with a focal point of developing student’s resilience and social emotional skills to reduce their risk of anxiety, depression, suicidality and substance abuse behaviours. These mental health problems are of prevalence and concern in regional and rural Western Australia. To reduce the level of disease burden of mental health conditions and the rate of deaths caused by suicide, further investment is needed to implement greater prevention and mental health promotion programs.

 

The program is delivered from a trauma-informed care perspective and includes information and training on trauma response and care for teachers. Year Four children will be the focus of this program initially as research identifies that there is strong social and emotional growth and development at this age.

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WPWP was originally developed in response to education provider and caregiver feedback, citing limited, accessible positive mental health programs for children in our communities. WPWP continues to contribute to the development of strong child-friendly communities that understand the importance of children through direct capacity building to help empower their own influence over their general and mental health, wellbeing and early development at the local level.

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In addition to direct delivery to the target cohort, professional development is also provided to the teaching and chaplaincy team before and after each program, to strengthen and reinforce consistency of language and approach and ensure positive alignment with school values and curricula.

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Contact: info@karrathahealthcare.org.au 

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Holyoake DRUMBEAT delivered by Karratha Community House

Karratha and Dampier schools

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Holyoake DRUMBEAT (Discovering Relationships Using Music Beliefs Emotions Attitudes & Thoughts) incorporates hand drumming, behavioural therapeutic principles and cognitive and dialectical elements to achieve positive outcomes.

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Holyoake DRUMBEAT is an AIFS-approved evidence-based program. It is based on documented research that identifies key issues
related to health and social outcomes. It also incorporates recent development in neurological research which notes the beneficial impact of rhythmic interventions on primal brain systems associated with anxiety and emotional control.

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The program is proved to lead to a range of improvements for participants, including increased mental wellbeing, knowledge and understanding of relationship issues, reduction in antisocial behaviour and school absenteeism, and increased empathy.

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Karratha Community House will deliver Holyoake DRUMBEAT in two schools each term, with participation via nomination from teachers. This year, Karratha Community House will introduce a DRUMBEAT program for toddlers and their parent/caregiver. 

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Information and enquiries:

https://karrathacommunityhouse.org.au/programs/holyoake-drumbeat/

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Parent-Child Mother Goose delivered by Karratha Community House

Karratha

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Parent-Child Mother Goose (PCMG) is an AIFS-approved evidence-based program that strengthens attachment and interaction between parents or caregivers and their young children by introducing them to the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs and stories together.

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Through the program, parents and caregivers gain skills and confidence that help them create positive family patterns during their children's crucial early years. At the same time, children benefit from enjoyable, healthy early experiences with language and communication.

 

Parent-Child Mother Goose is particularly suitable for parents and caregivers who need extra support because of their own personal or social circumstances, or because their children have special needs or are otherwise at risk.

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An extensive body of research shows that PCMG programs:

• Promote attachment between parents or caregivers and their young children

• Aid the language development of young children

• Help to reduce stress associated with being a parent or caregiver of a young child

• Put parents in touch with other parents (thus helping them to form new friendships)

• Connect parents and caregiver with useful resources in their own community

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Information and registration: 

https://karrathacommunityhouse.org.au/programs/parent-child-mother-goose-family-time/

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Circle of Security Parenting delivered by Karratha Women's Place and Connect Paediatric Therapy Services

Karratha, Dampier, Wickham

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The Circle of Security Parenting Program (COSP) is an AIFS-approved evidence-based parenting program aimed at assisting and supporting young and/or vulnerable families to reflect, learn and apply healthier attachment patterns.

 

Each COSP program is delivered by 2 trained COSP facilitators plus clinical supervision for the facilitators. Attendees must attend the 6 sessions. Each week participants are led through videos, reflective questioning, facilitated conversations and given program resources to allow for all learning styles and cultural backgrounds. 

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With over 60 years of research behind it, the Circle of Security model is used internationally both within community and clinical settings. KWP and Connect aim to deliver a program that will bring "at risk" and vulnerable parents/caregivers together creating opportunities to open family systems. Just as the adults provide the 'Safe Haven', safety, love and care to their children, there are times when parents/caregivers require support and self-care themselves. The development of connections to others, community and broader services are vital for these individuals and participation in the program will facilitate opportunities for parents to meet and develop
networks.

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Information and registration: 

https://connectpts.com.au/programs/

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Supported to Thrive in Early Parenthood  (STEP) Program delivered by Milk & Kindness

Dampier

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The STEP program is a stand-alone Pilbara-based parent group designed and facilitated by Natalie Gray from Milk & Kindness. STEP is a 6-week program offered to expectant and new parents with infants aged from birth to 6 months. This FPM is founded upon a respect for and encouragement of the expertise and self-determination of parents. Participants are encouraged to commence the program by 'starting together' on week one and attend as many sessions as possible, to foster social connection and a secure and intimate space for sharing and reflecting on pregnancy, birth and parenting experiences.

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The weekly 2-hour sessions include a parent-led/surveyed topic researched and facilitated by Natalie Gray and other local health care professionals as guest speakers. There is then an opportunity for an informal Q & A followed by a morning tea. 

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The STEP program provides evidence-based education and resources for parents that focus on infant behaviour and development; attachment theory; infant feeding cues; age-appropriate infant sleep requirements and capabilities; safety and injury prevention; sensitive positive parenting strategies and neuroprotective developmental care of the infant. There is a
strong focus on Matrescence and mental health with parent well being strategies that recognise the importance of parental self-care whilst promoting maternal and paternal self-efficacy and wellbeing with evidence-based resources and support that build capacity during this significant period of family transition.

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Information and registration: nat@milkandkindness.com.au