Early Intervention & Intensive Family Support Program

This important initiative helps families with young children access the services and support they need to promote healthy development and positive outcomes for children.

What does the early intervention & intensive family support program involve?

Connect Kids overarching goal is to give every child a chance to live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life. Often children and their families present with issues fair beyond the scope of our programs to address. When that happens we apply an early intervention and intensive family support model to assist and address these issues.

There is a wealth of research that supports the benefits of early intervention and intensive family support programs, both in terms of short-term outcomes for children and families and long-term outcomes in areas such as education, employment, and overall well-being.

employment

education

overall wellbeing

Overall, the Connect Kids early intervention and intensive family support program is an important initiative that can help improve outcomes for children and families, both in the short-term and long-term. By providing families with the support they need to promote healthy development and positive outcomes for children, programs like Connect Kids can help build a stronger, more resilient community.

benefits of the early intervention & intensive family support program

Some statistics and outcome data that demonstrate the benefits of early intervention and intensive family support programs include:

improved developmental outcomes

Early intervention services have been shown to improve developmental outcomes for young children, including improvements in cognitive, language, and social-emotional development. For example, a study of early intervention services provided to children with developmental delays found that children who received services showed significant improvements in cognitive, language, and adaptive skills compared to children who did not receive services (Hebbeler et al., 2007).

Reduced need for special education services

Early intervention services can also help reduce the need for special education services later on. A study of early intervention services provided to children with developmental delays found that children who received services were less likely to need special education services in the future (Hebbeler et al., 2007).

improved family outcomes

Early intervention and intensive family support programs can also improve outcomes for families, including improved parental mental health, increased parental confidence, and improved family functioning. For example, a study of a home visiting program for at-risk families found that parents who received the program reported improved mental health, increased confidence in their parenting abilities, and improved family functioning (Olds et al., 1997).

Cost savings

Early intervention and intensive family support programs can also lead to cost savings in the long run, as children who receive services are less likely to require expensive special education or other services later on. For example, a study of a home visiting program for at-risk families found that for every dollar invested in the program, there was a return of $5.70 in cost savings (Karoly et al., 1998).

Key Statistics: Why We Need To Be Proactive

  • • According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in 2021, the proportion of people aged 20-64 with a non-school qualification was 64.6%.

    • In 2020, the average total expenditure per student in primary and secondary education was $12,905.

    • The Productivity Commission estimates that a one percentage point increase in the Year 12 completion rate could result in a 0.4% increase in GDP.

  • • According to the ABS, in 2019-20, 66.9% of adults (aged 18 and over) were overweight or obese.

    • In the same period, 15.1% of adults reported having a mental or behavioural condition, with anxiety disorders being the most common.

    • The life expectancy at birth in 2021 was 82.4 years for males and 85.3 years for females.

  • • In 2018, it was estimated that mental illness cost the Australian economy $60 billion annually.

    • In 2021, it was reported that suicide was the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44.

  • • In 2020, the recorded crime rate in Australia was 29,777.8 offences per 100,000 people.

    • The most common offences recorded were theft (including motor vehicle theft), followed by illicit drug offences and assault.

    • The most common type of offence recorded in 2020 was theft (including unlawful entry with intent and motor vehicle theft), accounting for 39.5% of all offences recorded.

    • Illicit drug offences were the second most common offence recorded, accounting for 19.5% of all offences recorded.

  • • In 2016, it was estimated that there were 116,427 homeless people in Australia on any given night.

    • In the same year, 42% of people experiencing homelessness were under the age of 25.

    • According to the ABS, in 2021, the median weekly rent for a two-bedroom dwelling in Sydney was $570.

  • Socioeconomic disadvantage is strongly linked to crime rates. A study conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology found that areas with high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage were associated with higher levels of property crime, violent crime, and drug offences.

    • People who experience disadvantage are more likely to be both victims and perpetrators of crime. For example, young people who experience homelessness are at a higher risk of being victims of crime, and may also be more likely to engage in criminal behaviour.

    • Disadvantaged communities may be more vulnerable to certain types of crime, such as drug-related crime. This is because people who are experiencing disadvantage may be more likely to use and sell drugs, and may be more vulnerable to exploitation by drug dealers.

    • Research has shown that addressing the root causes of disadvantage can help to reduce crime rates. For example, improving access to education and employment opportunities can help to reduce poverty and disadvantage, and in turn, reduce crime rates.

    • Addressing the mental health needs of disadvantaged communities can also help to reduce crime rates. People who experience disadvantage are more likely to experience mental health problems, and addressing these issues can help to reduce the risk of criminal behaviour.

    It's important to note that the relationship between disadvantage and crime is complex, and there are many factors that can contribute to crime rates. However, addressing disadvantage can play an important role in reducing crime and improving community safety.

Intensive family support outcomes

  • Intensive family support programs are designed to assist families who are experiencing difficulties with parenting, financial management, or other issues that can impact the well-being of children. In Australia, there have been several studies and evaluations of the effectiveness of intensive family support programs for disadvantaged children. The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) conducted a review of intensive family support programs in 2017 and found that these programs can have positive impacts on family functioning, child behaviour, and child safety. Some programs also resulted in reductions in child abuse and neglect, as well as improvements in parental mental health and family relationships.

  • In a study of a Victorian intensive family support program, children who participated in the program showed significant improvements in their behaviour, emotional well-being, and social skills compared to children who did not receive the support. The Western Australian Department of Communities evaluated the Stronger Families, Safer Children program, which provides intensive family support to families with complex needs. They found that the program resulted in a 37% reduction in the number of children entering out-of-home care, and a 10% increase in the number of children being reunified with their families. The evaluation of the Queensland Intensive Family Support Service found that families who received the support had a lower rate of re-entry into the child protection system, and a higher rate of achieving their goals related to parenting, financial management, and housing.

    Furthermore, a study conducted by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth found that intensive family support programs have the potential to provide a net financial benefit to society by reducing the costs associated with child protection interventions and out-of-home care placements.

    Early intervention programs for disadvantaged children in Australia have been shown to have a range of benefits, including improved academic achievement, social and emotional development, and long-term outcomes such as reduced involvement in crime and increased employability.

    Studies have found that children who participate in early intervention programs are more likely to achieve higher academic results than those who do not. The benefits of early intervention are most pronounced for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. For example, a study by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence found that children who participate in early childhood education programs are up to 40% less likely to repeat a grade in school. A report by the Productivity Commission found that for children who have experienced disadvantage, participation in quality early childhood education can lead to an increase in test scores of up to 15 percentage points by age 10.

    Early intervention programs have also been shown to have positive effects on social and emotional development. The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children found that children who participated in high-quality early childhood education had better social and emotional outcomes in adolescence. A study by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute found that children who attended high-quality early education programs had better social skills, more positive attitudes towards school, and fewer behavioural problems than those who did not.

    Investing in early intervention programs can also lead to reduced involvement in crime. The Australian Institute of Criminology found that early childhood education and care can reduce the likelihood of later criminal involvement by up to 40%. A study by the Centre for Social Impact at UNSW Sydney estimated that investing $1 in high-quality early education programs for disadvantaged children can generate up to $7 in long-term benefits to society, including reduced costs associated with crime, incarceration, and other social costs.

    Moreover, early intervention programs can increase the employability of disadvantaged children. The Productivity Commission found that children who participate in early intervention programs are more likely to complete high school, attain tertiary qualifications, and secure stable employment. A study by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence found that participation in high-quality early childhood education programs can lead to increased workforce participation and earnings in adulthood. A report by PwC estimated that investing in early childhood education and care could generate a return on investment of up to $2.50 in increased workforce participation, earnings, and reduced welfare costs.

    Overall, the data and statistics indicate that investing in early intervention programs for disadvantaged children in Australia can yield significant long-term benefits for individuals, families, and society as a whole.

  • Overall, these data and statistics suggest that intensive family support programs can have a significant positive impact on the well-being of disadvantaged children and families in Australia. They may also provide cost savings to society, indicating that such programs are a wise investment in the long-term well-being of children and families. Disadvantage is a significant issue that affects both the Australian economy and the community as a whole. People who experience disadvantage may face a range of challenges, including limited access to education and employment opportunities, poor health outcomes, and housing insecurity. These factors can have a significant impact on both individual wellbeing and broader community safety.