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Indigenous Children's Program

Program overview:

The Indigenous Children’s Program (ICP) provides a holistic approach to early intervention and prevention services. Education sessions are run on substance misuse and the effects on family and community. Education on the kinship system covers traditional parenting roles and responsibilities. To strengthen culture, kinship and develop relationships, children with their families are involved in a range of activities which can include storytelling, music, campfires, cooking, art, craft and gardening activities. The ICP is an integral part of our approach as it educates and informs children in families while their parents are undertaking the 12 week Healthy Families Program.

History:

The Indigenous Children Program (ICP) was formed in 2006 by a merger of previously funded Aboriginal Islander Child Care Agencies (AICCA) and Indigenous Parent and Family Wellbeing (IPFW) programs.

CAAPS is one of three providers of the ICP in the Northern Territory and, in the last financial year, has equipped over 40 children with information on protective behaviour and practical skills they can use in their communities.  This is no small task, considering that in many cases children have not been to school before or have an irregular attendance record. Children have left the program being able to express themselves confidently without hanging their heads and with basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Goals:

The ICP aims to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities and build their resilience and support networks. It is intended that the program will support the wellbeing of children by:
 

Improve knowledge, skills and capacity for family wellbeing
Building resilience and protective factors for children
Developing positive and strong bonds between children and parents/caregivers and community
Improving parents and children's access to services that can support their learning and growth in ways that support and build on their culture
 

Build culturally strong parenting skills and support for families
Improving knowledge, skills, and capacity for parenting within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (that include both culturally and developmentally appropriate practices)
Improving access to other services that can support the learning and growth of children and their family members in a culturally appropriate manner
Improving parent, caregivers and children's access to services that support their learning and development in ways that build on their culture
 

Build stronger and more sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities
Building the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to more effectively deliver services to children and families.
Building partnerships between Indigenous controlled organisations and other services to address gaps in services and increase resources to communities.