Yarra Communities That Care focuses on supporting the healthy development of children and young people aged 8 to 14 in Yarra.
The middle years of childhood are a time of transformation, as children move into their teens. We know that what happens in these critical years can have a major impact on long-term health and wellbeing.
What is Yarra Communities That Care?
In 2014, Yarra Communities that Care began to enable organisations, schools and community partners to effectively work together to support the healthy development journey of Yarra middle years children (8 -14 year olds).
To date, over 1700 Yarra children and young people have shared their experience and views through the Communities that Care Youth Survey. This survey collection, undertaken in partnership with Deakin University, is used to inform Yarra Communities that Care priorities and actions.
Yarra Communities that Care is committed to delivering actions that are responsive to the needs of Yarra children and young people, prevention focused and evidence-based.
We know that the Communities that Care Approach works. You can read the publications on the Communities That Care website.
Current priorities
Yarra Communities that Care partners are currently working with children, young people and their families in Yarra to:
- Strengthen Family Relationships
- Enhancing Emotional Wellbeing
- Strengthen School Engagement
Communities That Care action plans
The current Yarra Communities that Care Action Plans development was informed by important consultations and research projects:
- Enhancing the emotional wellbeing of children and young people aged 8 to 14 years in the City of Yarra – Centre for Community Child Health [link to report]
- Enhancing emotional wellbeing – a child participation and co-design project with children aged 8-14 years – Save the Children Australia [link to report]
- School Engagement in Yarra: Collaborative approaches to supporting schools – Yarra City Council [link to report]
Tuning Into Teens program
To Strengthen Family Relationships, Yarra Communities that Care partners are taking a 3 tiered approach to build emotional literacy and connection between parents/carers and their children.
Included in this approach is direct support for parents, through the delivery of the evidence- based Tuning in to TeensTM Program.
Since 2017, Yarra Communities that Care partners have collaboratively delivered 6 – 8 programs per year, both in person and online.
Read the evaluation of this program delivery (PDF)
Find out more or get involved
Contact Bella Laidlaw, Yarra Communities that Care program leader.
- phone 03 9205 5555
- email [email protected]