Programs

Communities for Children

Introduced in 2004 by the Australian Government, the Communities for Children Initiative is part of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). There are 45 sites across Australia and NCS is proud to be the Facilitating Partner in the ACT.

The intention is to fund locally based organisations to deliver activities that focus on improving outcomes for children aged 0 – 5, their families and their communities. Community Partners include YMCA, Barnardos, ACT Playgroups, Parentline, Australian Catholic University, Companion House and YWCA. NCS is also contracted as a Community Partner in the delivery of Building Child Friendly Communities.

The Initiative concludes in June 2009.

Building Child Friendly Communities - Neurons to Neighbourhoods

The Activity was to design and pilot a training program for primary caregivers (i.e. parents or guardians) of children aged 5 and under. The aim of the program is to provide parents with the opportunity to experience and apply approaches to the parent/child relationship which are known to improve security and well-being over the longer term.

Based on the 40 Developmental Asset Framework the program is supported by evidence that the most potent source of protective factors and developmental assets is potentially/ideally the relationship that the child has with their parent(s). Notably, the program model will be drawn from the “Roots of Empathy” (ROE) program. This is a Canadian program for primary and high school students that utilises action-learning principles.

Some of the components in the program include Baby Massage, Let’s Read, Self Esteem, Breast Feeding, Protective Behaviours, Rhyming Connections, Nutrition, Kidsafe Restraint Checking and Child Safety, SIDS Safe Sleeping Awareness and First Aid.

The program commenced in early 2008 and is due to be completed by April 2009.

Building Child Friendly Communities - Neurons to Neighbourhoods 2

The Activity combines some of the learnings and successes from the first Building Child Friendly Communities (Neurons to Neighbourhoods) Activity. The target group will focus on young mums (including pre-natal) aged between 12 and 25 years of age. The delivery of this shorter course will occur over 16 weeks.

The program will conclude by April 2009.

Smart Chicks Lay Nest Eggs

Through this project NCS aims to reduce social vulnerability and disadvantage of women and their families, in particular young women and/or mothers, by providing sustainable opportunities to increase their personal, economic and social power.

A women’s economic Investment Group is now formed and will run for a period of 12 months. The Group is provided with training to receive a Certificate I in Financial Management and is also mentored by an external financial advisor over the year that, amongst other purposes, will assist the Group to invest their pool of funds.

This is an effective mechanism that enables women to further their achievement of social and economic independence through savings, sustainable investments and other income-generation strategies.

The project will conclude in October 2009.

Social Capital Survey

The project was to design and administer a survey to identify the social capital status of public and community housing tenants, living in multi-unit complexes, in the Central Canberra region. In total, 325 tenants were surveyed. The dimensions of social capital were captured in selected elements such as participation in the local community, positive identity, personal values/ social competencies, trust and reciprocity, safety in the home & neighbourhood and family & friends connections/ relationships.

The results of the survey were collated into a final report that will be presented at a Community after Dark Forum in April 2009.

Community after Dark Forums

The Community after Dark event is an initiative developed by NCS as an information sharing and consultation forum with the local community. It is also a valuable opportunity to present recent research and receive feedback on community development projects completed by NCS. A panel of relevant and interested stakeholders from non-government, government and research agencies also contribute to the discussion and provide further information in their area of expertise.

The next Forum involving public and community housing tenants and relevant stakeholders is set to take place in April 2009.

Get Up & Go Healthy

The program is aimed at providing an education and training pathway for adults with young families in relation to diet and childhood obesity. The program is designed to make parents aware of the implication of unbalanced diets of fast food, over eating and childhood obesity.

Information sessions and workshops for parents have been held at NCS Childcare centres and facilitated by Nutrition Australia.

Nutrition Australia will also provide training to a smaller group of parents over the course of 3 months that will also be alternated each week with a fun physical activity for parents and their children. Representatives from the Raiders, Brumbies, ACT Softball, ACT Basketball and ACT Netball are individually scheduled to facilitate a physical activity session. Participants will be awarded a certificate for their involvement in the food skills and education program.

The project will conclude in July 2009.

Breaking Down the Wall: Barriers to Social Inclusion amongst Older Australians

This project will conduct participatory action research that aims to identify the barriers to social inclusion among people aged 60 years and over residing in the inner northern suburbs of Canberra. A project worker will facilitate the project supported by volunteer researchers who will participate in the development, delivery and collation of the research project. The research will assist NCS in further service development involving older people living in Inner North Canberra.

The project will conclude by April 2010.

Majura Festival

The Majura Festival has been run as an annual event by NCS since 2000. Since then, it has evolved to a visible cultural event signifying the close linkages that have developed between NCS and the local community. An emphasis has been to actively engage local community and businesses in such a way that more ongoing, sustainable relationships continue to be established and celebrated.

The Majura Festival aims to be accessible for all members of the community and encourages local schools, community organisations, businesses, professional performers and residents to get together and celebrate life in the Inner North of Canberra. In recognition of its emergence as a significant local cultural event the festival continues to be successful in securing funding allowing NCS to celebrate its values of empowerment, inclusiveness and participation in the local community.

The Majura Festival will take place on 24 October 2009

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