Bidyadanga the latest community to benefit from an EYP Community Plan
Children and families in the Kimberley community of Bidyadanga are the latest to benefit from the introduction of an Early Years Partnership (EYP) Community Plan.
The EYP is a 10-year agreement between the Western Australian Government and Minderoo Foundation to improve the wellbeing and school readiness of WA children under five years of age.
“The EYP is a unique collaboration between the State Government and Minderoo Foundation, that promotes new ways of working to achieve great results for children, families and the wider community,” explained Early Childhood Education and Community Services Minister Sabine Winton.
Bidyadanga is a remote Aboriginal community, 180 km south of Broome. The EYP Community Plan for the community is known as the ‘Yija Tili’ (True Sparks) Early Years Community Plan.
“I’d like to acknowledge the Bidyadanga Aboriginal Corporation La Grange Inc. and the local families and services in the Bidyadanga community for all the hard work on this plan – which will help give local children a brighter future,” shared Kimberley MLA Member Divina D’Anna.
“This crucial support in the early years will give these children the best possible start. We’ve seen positive results in other communities and it’s great that Bidyadanga families will have the opportunity to see the benefits.”
The EYP aims to improve school readiness for children aged 0-4 years of age across four Western Australian communities, including Bidyadanga, where nearly one in two children are considered developmentally vulnerable at the time of starting school.
The plan has been co-designed with local families, community members and service providers with the Department of Communities, WA Health and Education, the Telethon Kids Institute and Minderoo Foundation, with the strong local leadership of Bidyadanga Aboriginal Corporation La Grange Inc.
It forms a roadmap for change for children living in the region and is underpinned by the importance of culture and language in child wellbeing.
The Bidyadanga community identified five priority areas to support child wellbeing and school readiness. These are child development, parent health, family financial wellbeing, community physical and social aspects, and community service aspects.
The EYP has also partnered with the communities of Armadale West, Central Great Southern (comprising the Shires of Katanning, Kojonup, Gnowangerup, and Broomehill-Tambellup), as well as Derby.
Read the EYP Bidyadanga Community Plan here.
Original article written by Freya Lucas and published on The Sector on Thursday 31st August 2023.
