“The Connected Beginnings program is extremely important for Ceduna mums, dads, babies and children – we have 148 babies and children between the ages of zero and four years old, and we want to make every effort to help children have the best start in life,
I encourage all families especially mums and dads, to bring their babies and children to Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service to be screened, and they will be followed up with specialists, where and when necessary.
It is essential that Ceduna’s expanded holistic service model embraces everyone, and we continue to work consistently together to support our families who may be experiencing other challenges in their life
I have no doubt each and everyone of us want our children to be strong and healthy, to be educated, and to grow up to be leaders in their own community “
CKAHS chief executive officer Zell Dodd said they had received federal funding last year and once they were able to secure staff with specific skills to work on the program it commenced.
“The first five years of life is a critical time that ultimately helps shape every child’s future and is fundamental to closing the gap in health equality.
I know Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service has worked hard to attract professionals to fill five new positions to help support the program and local families.”
Connected Beginnings helps children enjoy good health, to set them on the way to academic success and a lifetime of better opportunities,
It works by providing children and their families with holistic support through existing and expanded local services.”
Minister Wyatt said the program aimed to have healthy families and improved school readiness
Download Minister Wyatt’s Press Release HERE
NACCHO Ken Wyatt Press Release Ceduna SA visit
Member for Flinders Peter Treloar, Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service chief executive officer Zell Dodd, Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt, Senator for South Australia David Fawcett and Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey at the official launch on Wednesday. Picture: Luca Cetta
Ceduna families are benefiting from a program linking health care and early childhood education.
The ‘Connected Beginnings’ program was officially launched by Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt today at the Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service (CKAHS), as part of a national rollout, where it has been helping to build better, stronger lives.
The federal government has committed $12 million over three years from the Indigenous Australians’ Health Program to implement the health component of Connected Beginnings, plus around $10 million per year from the Community Child Care Fund to support the education component.
“This means mothers and children in this community are being referred to specialist services including paediatricians, ear and eye specialists, dentists, occupational and speech therapists and dieticians,” Minister Wyatt said.
“The social and emotional wellbeing team here also provide much-needed support for mums experiencing anxiety and depression, plus an environmental health program that targets everyday housing and community living conditions, essential to maintain health and prevent disease transmission.”
“We work in partnership with Ngura Yadurirn Child and Family Centre, who are the lead agency in Ceduna for this program,” she said.
“We also work very closely with the Ceduna District Health Service management, in particular the Aboriginal Maternal Infant Care (AMIC) worker, Aboriginal Patient Pathway Officer and the Step Down Manager.
“The Rural Doctors Workforce Agency also plays a key role in supporting CKAHS health services with visiting specialists.”
Senator for South Australia David Fawcett welcomed the extension of the program to Ceduna.
“Wrapping services including early childhood education, maternal and child health, and family services helps families now and will help generations to come,” he said.
“Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service has a strong working relationship with the Ceduna District Health Service through a memorandum of understanding, and works closely with the Aboriginal Maternal Infant Care worker.”
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey congratulated Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service and Ngura Yadurirn Children and Family Centre for their leadership and dedication to give local children the best start possible.
Run jointly by the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Health, the program is also underway in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Galiwin’ku, Port Augusta, Mildura, Doomadgee and Doonside, along with a health-only program in Canberra.
Opportunities are being investigated to establish the program in further locations.
Ms Dodd said CKAHS also had other complimentary services on offer such as the social and emotional wellbeing team and the environmental health team, with an individual or family able to be referred to these programs for additional support.
“It is essential that Ceduna’s expanded holistic service model embraces everyone, and we continue to work consistently together to support our families who may be experiencing other challenges in their life,” she said.
“I commend the efforts of the key staff at Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health, Ngura Yadurirn and Ceduna District Health Service