Best Start

What is Best Start

Best Start is a prevention and early intervention project under the joint auspices of the Department of Human Services and Department of Education.

Best Start aims

Best Start aims to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all Victorian children from pregnancy through to transition to school (usually taken to be eight years of age).

Best Start approach

The Best Start approach is to strengthen the local capacity of parents, families and communities and early years services through partnership and collaboration to better provide for the needs of all young children and their families.

This is achieved by:

listening to parent and family knowledge and expectations
the inclusion of vulnerable children and families in early years services
the inclusion of Aboriginal children and their families
ensuring services are inclusive of culturally diverse children and families
mobilising community interest, resources and infrastructure to create child-friendly communities
translating early childhood evidence into practice
coordinating and integrating existing services
introducing innovative changes to services, based on evidence
developing strong cross-sectoral local partnerships.

Latrobe City Best Start Project commenced in 2006 and is a partnership involving the following organisations and agencies:-

Department of Human Services
Department of Education
Latrobe City Council
Latrobe Regional Hospital
Latrobe Community Health Services
The Queen Elizabeth Centre
Anglicare
The Smith Family
Berry Street
Good Beginnings
Noah's Ark

The following priorities have been identified for action over the next twelve months:-

Increase the number of mothers breastfeeding
Increase attendance at the Maternal and Child Health Service
Increase the number of parents reading to their children
Increase the number of children attending kindergarten
Decrease the number of unintentional injuries
Parents reporting high levels of social support

During 2006 - 2010 the Latrobe City Best Start Project will:

Identify the needs of local children, their families and the communities they live in.
Help local organisations to work together to address these needs.
Improve the life experiences and opportunities for all children living in Latrobe city.

How to get involved....

Contact the Best Start Community Facilitator:

Best Start Community Facilitator
Latrobe City Council
PO Box 264
Morwell 3840
Phone: 1300 367 700
Email: Latrobe@latrobe.vic.gov.au
State Best Start Webpage http://www.beststart.vic.gov.au/

We are looking for parents to join our small working groups, to become part of a Parents Reference Committee, and to take part in a survey of early childhood needs.

If you would like to find out more about the Best Start Project or to see how you can be supported to join any of the working groups contact the Best Start Community Facilitator who will be happy to talk to you and any groups you represent on how to get involved.

The first Latrobe City Best Start Action Plan can be downloaded by following the link below:-

Latrobe City Best Start Action Plan (PDF, 818KB)