General News
24 October, 2024
Better care for country kids
Rainbow P-12 College's collaboration with a local allied health therapy provider has led to them being announced as a finalist for the Victorian Early Years Awards.
The college is joined by the community as they eagerly await announcement of the winner next month.
The Victorian Early Years Awards "Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships" section recognises collaborative partnerships between early childhood organisations and services taking action to promote positive results for children from birth to eight years old, and their families.
Royal Far West is a charity which aims to support children's behavioural, developmental and mental health so they can reach their full potential.
They believe early intervention is key to this, and were searching for a Victorian school to work with.
School principal Colleen Petschel said the partnership began last year, with a focus on improving access to health and wellbeing services for Rainbow’s children.
"We were lucky to be introduced to them, and it worked out that we became part of the pilot project," Ms Petschel said.
Limited availability of allied health paediatric services were, according to Ms Petschel, impacting classroom dynamics, the learning of students, and staff wellbeing.
The partnership has opened the doors to two outreach visits, and telehealth support, not only for children, but their parents and educators too.
Ms Petschel said a number of students benefiting from weekly counselling, Occupational Therapy or sessions for speech.
"Not only do they assist the children referred, but they also offer support to parents and staff, parent telehealth sessions, and teacher capacity building sessions," Ms Petschel said.
"We have also presented them with case studies, which they have worked through and provided strategies for us.
The positive impacts were so overwhelmingly obvious, the college decided to extend the program, both for another year, and into other community areas.
They have integrated the service into the local kindergarten, as well as with other local health services, and in doing so, strengthening community partnerships.
"It has been an absolute game changer, providing students, who would never be able to get, for example, weekly OT sessions, with a lot of help,” Ms Petschel said.
"It's remarkable the rapport the clinicians have built with the kids over the screen."
The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 7, with category winners receiving a grant of $15,000 for development and support of their initiative.
Finalists will also be considered for the prestigious Minister’s Award, selected by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn.