Communities for Children (CfC) is a strategy that encourages healthy community environments for disadvantaged children. It is an initiative of the Federal Government Department of Social Services and is part of their Families and Children Activity.

A key local non-government organisation (Facilitating Partner) in each site acts as broker in engaging smaller local organisations to deliver a range of activities in their communities. The Facilitating Partner oversees the development, implementation and funding allocations for activities and strategies in the community. Funding is mostly allocated to local service providers who deliver the activities.

Examples of activities being implemented under CfC are:

• home visiting

• early learning and literacy programs

• early development of social and communication skills

• parenting and family support programs

• child nutrition

• community events to celebrate the importance of children, families and the early years

Evaluation Evidence

An evaluation of the early impacts of the CfC program on child, family and community outcomes (Edwards et al., 2011: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21427454/) found evidence that CfC had positive preliminary impacts including:

• fewer children were living in a jobless house

• parents reported less hostile or harsh parenting practices

• parents considered themselves to be more effective in their roles as parents

Monitoring Recommendations

• Boards can monitor change over time by examining trends in publically available data such as the Australian Early Development Index.

Implementation Tip

Access to the Communities for Children intervention is based on a Department of Social Services grants process. Communities That Care sites can propose, and advocate for, disadvantaged neighbourhoods that may benefit by being included in this initiative.

Contact:

Federal Department of Social Services

https://www.dss.gov.au/early-childhood/supporting-childhood-development