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Prevention and Early Intervention Programme for Children (Dormant Accounts Funded)


The programme examines innovative methods for improving outcomes for children in an integrated way with a fund amounting to €36 million in total. €18 million of this is being provided by the Government (Department of Children and Youth Affairs) and €18 million by Atlantic Philanthropies. The Government funding is provided on foot of a Government Decision and is linked to matching investment by The Atlantic Philanthropies. The Government funding is sourced by way of the Dormant Accounts Fund. The costs are recouped to the Department’s Vote from the Fund.
 
The programme is being managed jointly by the DCYA and The Atlantic Philanthropies. The projects conclude in 2012/13. The findings from the programme will inform the formulation of policy and services for children and families, in particular, in relation to services for disadvantaged children.

 

The Projects

The projects in the programme and the funding allocations from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs are as follows:

Atlantic Philanthropies provide the same level of matching funding to each project.

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Evidence Based Policy Making


The evidence based approach that underpins the programme has been developed from professional and personal experience; research literature, successful models tested elsewhere as well as needs assessment on the ground. It is outcome oriented, i.e. it is driven by the benefits or changes for individuals or populations during or after participating in the programme activities.  A key element is the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the outcomes of the activities undertaken and the learning from the individual sites.  This evaluation helps to assess what interventions work best and how and where they can be best employed in improving delivery of services or the development of new policy. It is intended that  the findings from the evaluations will assist in shaping the formulation of appropriate policy responses and services for children in the future.

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Monitoring Arrangements

Each project is monitored and advised on an ongoing basis by a high-level independent Expert Advisory Committee, comprising international (UK and US) and domestic experts. The EAC provides independent advice in respect of (i) proposed services and their full specification; and (ii) planning and implementation of evaluation.  Each project  supplies  progress reports to the DCYA at specified times during the life-time of the Programme. 

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Details of the Three Projects 

 

Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative - A Place for Children in Tallaght West

The Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative (TWCDI) Audit of Services for Children and Families in Tallaght West and How Are Our Kids looked at measuring the extent to which services currently available in Tallaght West meet the needs of the community. In 2005 it published a 10 year strategy aimed at improving the health, learning and safety of children in Tallaght West and to increase their sense of belonging to their community.

The TWCDI approach encompasses the following activities:

Programme strands include:

 

Preparing for life (Northside communities of Belcamp, Darndale and Moatview)


Preparing for life is focused on getting disadvantaged children ready to be able to benefit from school by age five. This initiative targeted 200 children, prenatal to age five – and their families to improve the wellbeing and behaviour of these children, particularly their health, education, personal competencies and relationships. To evaluate what works, two service packages are offered on a random allocation basis. One hundred parents receive intensive support via four mentors and participate in a programme of parent training. The other hundred have the services of a family support worker. All parents benefit from enhanced preschool and related services. The focus is on tapping into existing resources to get children more ready to be able to benefit from school. It is based on addressing the needs of the children at each stage of development, working with parents as the children grow and conducting rigorous evaluation to discover what works.

Programme strands include:

 

Youngballymun

The objective of Youngballymun is to improve the outcomes for children and young people through adopting a dynamic and iterative approach to child development. Three key transition points have been identified for interventions – 0-4 years; 5-11 years; and 12 to 18 years. Six outcome clusters have been identified including cognitive and non-cognitive skills, mental and physical health, safety and a positive attitude and disposition to life.

Programme strands include:

 

 

Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) in Early Years Programme (CDI):

Through a collaborative approach with a local service provider – An Cosán and the HSE, a Senior Speech and Language Therapist is employed to work with the children in the CDI supported Early Years Service. Dual policies, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a service agreement help shape and support the service. Role support is provided by the HSE Senior SLT. This service is delivered on site in all nine services which utilises a three pronged approach, involving the following:

1. The provision of assessments and therapy to children;
2. Support and training provided to parents of the children receiving therapy;
3. The provision of training and support to staff working with the children.


The SLT service is currently being independently evaluated, in order to determine its impact and effect.

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