Child maltreatment is a global health priority affecting up to half of all children worldwide, with profound and ongoing impacts on physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
The Australian specific interpretation of the 1000 Days movement is being established to have effective supports for families of Indigenous children during critical periods of heightened risk from pre-conception to a child’s second birthday.
The Victorian Aboriginal population experiences higher rates of child mortality and perinatal mortality. A major driver of these outcomes are the underlying social determinants of Aboriginal health such as employment, housing, justice, disability, family, access, culture and discrimination.
This overview describes what the First 1000 Days Australia Model looks like, the steps taken to develop and implement the work, and how to become involved.
“Young children’s healthy development depends on nurturing care-care which ensures health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, safety and security, and early learning.”
The Australian Model of the First 1000 Days is an Indigenous-led initiative which seeks to provide a coordinated, comprehensive intervention to address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from (pre)conception to two years of age and their families.
To ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and their children benefit from the international 1000 Days movement, an Australian Model of the First 1000 Days is being developed through a year-long, nationwide engagement process.
This report details the program, proceedings and outcomes of the First 1000 Days Australia Policy and Implementers’ Symposium, the fourth and final symposium to be held at, and led by, the University of Melbourne.