Advocacy

Close the Gap with Koorie Kids Shine

Children that identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, aged three and four can get up to 15 hours of free kindergarten per week through 'Koorie Kids Shine'.

The engagement of children in high quality culturally appropriate early childhood education has been an ongoing focus for the Closing the Gap commitment. Significant improvements in Aboriginal participation in kindergarten have been achieved as a result of sustained, collaborative work between multiple partners.

Aboriginal families provide a strong foundation for their children’s early learning and development. Kindergarten is a program where your child can have fun and learn through play and experiences. Your child can socialise with other children, develop confidence, and build reading, writing and maths skills to help them build foundational skills for life as well as positively transition to school, in a safe and supportive environment. Enrol your child today for 15 hours per week for free.

Link: www.education.vic.gov.au/koorie-kids-shine

Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) and Family Violence Information Sharing Schemes (FVISS)

The new Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) and Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS) will commence in Victoria on 19 April 2021. Both schemes aim to improve the way that services can respond to child wellbeing and safety needs.

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM) sets out the responsibilities of different workforces in identifying, assessing and managing family violence risk across the family violence and broader service system. MARAM will guide information sharing under both information sharing schemes wherever family violence is present.

From 19 April 2021, the following service types will be able to request and share information with other approved organisations to better respond to the wellbeing or safety needs of children and their families under the CISS:

• kindergartens

• early learning centres

• long day care services

• out of school hours care services (but not vacation care)

For our more information by visiting https://www.vic.gov.au.