Impact of the Multi-functional Aboriginal Children's Services (MACS ...

Impact of theMulti-functional Aboriginal Children’sServices(MACS) on Children’s and CommunityDevelopmentSNAICC ConferenceSeptember 19-21Adelaide Conference CentreVictorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc.Geraldine AtkinsonPresident

Multifunctional AboriginalChildren Services MACSMACS are:non-profit community based services established tomeet the social and developmental needs of Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander children.MACS provide:culturally appropriate long day care centres where childcare is needed for work-related and respite reasonsa place for children to be safe, have a healthy meal,learn some activities that will prepare them forschool, play with toys, and ‘keep their culturestrong’.

MACS feasibility studyIn March 2007 VAEAI was provided with a grant from DHS to explorethe long term impacts of MACS.The study included:• A review of the literature, policy documents and reports related toIndigenous early childhood education• A focus group of members of the VAEAI Early Childhood Committee• Interviews with key MACS staff• An investigation of available data on participation and educationaloutcomes• A proposal to develop a culturally appropriate research design for afurther larger study of the impact of MACS on educational, individualand community outcomes.

Results of the initial studyKey results of the consultation, which supported theundertaking of a larger study, were:• Very positive feedback on the impact of MACS• A high level of interest amongst informants in examiningin more detail the history of the seven MACS in Victoria• A high level of cooperation offered by Indigenouscommunities• Testing of the research method for a larger study and theconsequent development of a detailed and practicalresearch proposal

The Findings: Literature ReviewWhat the literature tells us•The value of early care and education services,particularly for children living in disadvantagedhome circumstances•The importance for young Indigenous childrenof having culturally appropriate early care andeducation services

Data CollectionVictorian Department of Human Services data for 2004indicates that in that year the participation of 4 year oldAboriginal children in kindergarten (preschool) was 79%compared to 93% for non-Koorie Children. The estimateof 79% comes from Koorie children enrolled in prep whohad attended kindergarten in the previous year.The invaluable role of early childhood education is beingsubstantiated by current research. It is therefore clear thatfacilitating the involvement of those Koorie children whoare not currently accessing services like MACS is a majorpriority.

Consultation findingsConsultation findingsFrom the consultations with key stakeholdersit is possible to conclude that the MACS makea significant contribution to:•reinforcing cultural Identity,•strengthening community,•building self-esteem and confidence,•preparing children for preschool and school,and•demonstrating good practice in Indigenousearly childhood care and education.

Community Perspective“We believe in reinforcing the childrens’ Aboriginal identity so thatwhen they go into schools they are proud little Aboriginal kids whowould be able to cope with anything. But one of the things wealways said was we would have places for single mums so that theywould have some respite. It wasn’t only catering for the workingparents, we also tried to give single mums some parentingpractices- we tried to do that by showing them how to do it.”(Founding Member)

Social and Educational Benefitsfor Children• An emphasis on combining a Koorie focuswith developing the necessary cognitive,social development and gross motor skillsrequired to ensure the children are“preschool and school ready”

Parental Benefits• Parents are more comfortable aboutsending their children to Koorie child carethan mainstream services – they feel theycan have a say and be involved• The centres provide opportunities foryoung parents to seek re-entry into schooland general capacity building prospectssuch as work related training and skillingto re enter the workforce.

Community BenefitsMACS play a critical role in communitystrengthening. They do this by:•Reinforcing cultural identity forchildren who attend the programs.•Promoting active communityinvolvement in running and participatingin the centre activities and programs.

I don’t know how we would operate inEchuca without the MACS centre. Alot of the kids wouldn’t be able to goto kindergarten. The workers buybooks for children who they identifywho would benefit from them. It is thepersonal attention the children aretreated and the way the workers treatthem individually that makes thedifference.” (Aunty Melva Johnson)

VAEAI•Web: www.vaeai.org.au• Email: vaeai@vaeai.org.au• Phone: 9416 3833