We know that access to early years support is vital for all children , but many of the most vulnerable children miss out .
literature tells us about effective approaches . This is available free from our website – www . berrystreet . org . au .
Clark also provided ‘ train the trainer ’ professional development and was the keynote speaker at a one-day forum we organized for the sector in May 2012 .
Building on a successful program 10 years ago , we developed a 10 week groupwork program , which we intend to pilot in the Northern region .
4 . Early Years Support for Vulnerable Children We know that access to early years support is vital for all children , but many of the most vulnerable children miss out . Our work in this area is focused on developing new models and partnerships to increase access for vulnerable children and their families .
With the ongoing and generous support of a private foundation , we have re-oriented our Early Learning is Fun program from a universal approach to a more targeted program .
Through facilitated group-based parent-child activities , we encourage parents as the child ’ s first teacher and link them to services . Our initial focus is in Dandenong and Morwell and with the Sudanese , Afghani and Karen refugee communities where we have developed strong relationships . The program is to be evaluated by the Murdoch Children ’ s Research Institute - Centre for Community Child Health
5 . Education Research tells us that education is the key to overcoming disadvantage . Read more about our various initiatives on page 16 .
Berry Street Childhood Institute
Berry Street launched the Berry Street Childhood Institute in July 2012 with Marg Hamley as the inaugural Director . The Institute has been established to provide leadership , knowledge and resources to help us realise our vision of a better childhood for every child .
In our first year , the Berry Street Childhood Institute will focus on : »» organising national speaking tours by international experts
»» building research collaborations
»» hosting practice forums
»» engaging young people in discussions about what contributes to a good childhood
»» producing and distributing publications
»» providing a consultancy service in Berry Street ’ s areas of practice expertise
Wherever possible , we will work in partnership with other community organisations , practitioners and researchers .
Funding for the early stage of the Institute has come from Berry Street ’ s own resources , but we are hopeful that we will attract partners who will support our various projects .
We are delighted that three of our special international colleagues have accepted our invitation to join with the Berry Street Childhood Institute as inaugural Fellows :
»»
Dr Bruce Perry ( ChildTrauma Academy ) – Senior Fellow »Richard » Rose ( Child Trauma Intervention Services ) – Fellow »»
Clark Baim ( Psychotherapist , trainer and author ) – Fellow
Berry Street brought Kristie Brandt ( Director of the Parent- Infant and Child Institute and a Fellow of the ChildTrauma Academy in the USA ) to Australia in November 2011 for a range of seminars on infants and young children from a neurobiological perspective .
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BERRY STREET ANNUAL REPORT 2012 // Knowledge