pdf [5.3MB] - Department of Families, Housing, Community Services

3.6 PEEL CHILD HEALTH SURVEYThe Peel child health survey is a study that has only recently been initiated in WesternAustralia, as a joint initiative between Murdoch University, Curtin University, Edith CowanUniversity, the University of Western Australia and the Telethon Institute for Child HealthResearch. This study is yet to produce any results, however it is of particular interest as it isthe first longitudinal study to recruit its cohorts during pregnancy (18 weeks) with plans tofollow the children until the age of 15 years.A cohort of approximately 2,000 Western Australian families is being recruited (since themiddle of 2008) fro m the Peel region (south of Perth). The overall aim of this study is toexamine social, environment and biological (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] andcortisol) stresses on pregnant mothers and the outcomes on developing babies. This willinclude aspects of the family life, parenting and functioning as well as access to child andyouth services.Peel is a fast growing region in Western Australia that has a high concentration of youngfamilies as well as a number of identified health risks in some groups. These risk groupsinclude pockets of indigenous populations from different backgrounds, low socioeconomicgroups as well as families with members in the mining industry or military that fly-in/fly-out forwork (which has similarities to non residential parenting families that occur throughseparation of divorce).This longitudinal study has the potential of providing additional information of the in-uterobiological impacts on children which has not previously been as extensively examined.However, there are no efficacy findings as the intervention is an early-stage research study.3.7 RESPONDING EARLY ASSISTING CHILDREN (REACH)Program services and target groupsResponding Early Assisting Children (REACh) is a funding program for services accessed byfamilies and caregivers that aim to provide the capacity for an appropriate response tochildren’s needs for care, development and safety through timely access to communityresources. REACh funds 43 projects across Australia and has an emphasis on child focusedand community connected services.The programs are run by individual organisations in each state and territory includingservices such as: parenting education; home visits by counsellors; family support; playgrounds; mentoring; and community development.Research on efficacyREACh has a focus on the provision of funding for early intervention programs, particularlythose that target child abuse and neglect. The efficacy of this program is not reported in anyliterature, nor is the criteria used to provide funding.81