{"id":17834,"date":"2022-08-21T11:55:11","date_gmt":"2022-08-21T11:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=17834"},"modified":"2022-08-21T11:55:11","modified_gmt":"2022-08-21T11:55:11","slug":"2-7-million-for-successful-aboriginal-early-childhood-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2022\/08\/21\/2-7-million-for-successful-aboriginal-early-childhood-program\/","title":{"rendered":"$2.7 million for successful Aboriginal early childhood program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A highly successful Aboriginal early childhood program has received a $2.7 million funding boost to ensure even more young children, their families and educators are skilled in discussing and managing, challenging emotions and feelings.
 
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the Getting On Track In Time <\/em>program – or GOT IT! – <\/em>was culturally adapted for Aboriginal communities in partnership with local Aboriginal health services and piloted over four years with positive results.
 
\u201cThis program has united parents, teachers, mental health workers and Aboriginal people to achieve an important goal – to support young Aboriginal children to recognise, regulate and talk about any troubling thoughts and feelings they have,\u201d Mrs Taylor said.
 
\u201cI am delighted more families will benefit from this excellent program, which was developed by South Western Sydney Local Health District in collaboration with local Aboriginal people.\u201d
 
Designed for children aged three to nine years, Aboriginal GOT IT!<\/em> is a school-based program led by a team of mental health workers (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal).
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the program aims to support children, families and educators to address emotional or behavioural concerns in children and reduce the emergence of mental health concerns later in life.
 
\u201cA strong connection to community and culture boosts resilience and helps children better manage the ups and downs of life. This helps to improve their engagement in class and lifts learning outcomes,\u201d Ms Mitchell said.
 
\u201cWe\u2019re grateful for the wisdom and sharing of cultural knowledge from our colleagues in Aboriginal health services who helped upskill teachers and tailor this program to children in their early years of learning.\u201d 
 
Aboriginal GOT IT!<\/em> team leader Jemma Milloy said the program resulted in significant improvements to child behaviour, social skills and confidence in school and home settings.
 
\u201cWhen you combine cultural and clinical practices, families feel acknowledged and heard,\u201d Ms Milloy said.
 
Findings of the Aboriginal GOT IT! <\/em>evaluation report include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n