Abstract

Improving Outcomes For Vulnerable Young Families - Bethany Newpin Early Years Program

Author(s)

Cathy Grove -Centre for Community Child Health Royal Childrens Hospital

Ms Kathryn Howe -Bethany Family Services

Bethany NEWPIN Early Years Program provides an innovative therapeutic and support model for parents of children 0-5 years of age, offering an opportunity to achieve positive change in their lives and relationships. This program was evaluated over a 2 year period by the Centre for Community Child Health from 2006-08.

The poster presentation will highlight : 
�   the success factors of the Bethany Newpin Early Years Model as evidenced by the two 
     year external evaluation for highly vulnerable parents and children in providing early 
     intervention and intensive child/parent intervention strategies. Drawing on the  
     process  &impact evaluation methodology and program logic,  it will highlight how  
     services can achieve change in parent/ child relationships; improve child's 
     development; increased community connectedness,  and reduce the potential for 
     child protection reports.

�  explore key evaluation findings of the Newpin model in the context of contemporary 
     family services program development and provision of targeted services to intervene 
     as early as possible enabling substantial change for children at risk. The program 
     places significant emphasis on building positive peer socialisation for both parents 
     and children enabling a greater level of participation in kindergarten, education, 
     community and

�  family activities. The presentation will highlight the ability for this program to be 
     replicated in other sites in the Australian context.