early matters: strengthening families with an evidence informed framework Emily McDonald – General Manager, Practice Quality & Evaluation Sandra Opoku – Evaluations Officer

post-natal/post-partum couple/parenting relationships early matters early matters seeks to promote and strengthen healthy family relationships at three critical transition points: post-natal/post-partum couple/parenting relationships children transitioning from kindergarten to primary school children in middle to late primary school preparing to transition to secondary school

Whole-of-family approach early matters Prevention and early intervention service facilitated in universal services (tiered approach) Creates pathways to engage with families through targeted early intervention Whole-of-family approach Targets risk and protective factors for families by integrating multiple interventions Tailored and effective interventions Progressive univeralism

early matters programs ATTUNE - a post-natal program for couples that provides knowledge, practical skills and attitudes for good emotional and relationship health. Tuning in to Kids - a parenting program focused on the emotional connection between parents and kindergarten children. Confident Kinder Kids - supporting the transition to primary school through greater emotional awareness and regulation, enhanced social skills, and increased confidence and resilience. I like, like you UP - a healthy relationships program for year six students transitioning to high school. Home visiting outreach service – in partnership with universal services at risk families are identified and referred for home visiting outreach service at each of the three critical transition stages.

Theory of Change Provide practical skills to manage the complex interplay between interpersonal relationships and an individual's emotional and mental health. Utilize evidence-based research regarding knowledge and skills for parenting and healthy relationships. AND Invite people to consider this through the lens of their own culture and family where they stand with that and how they wish to use it.

Evaluation alignment Our Theory of change informs how our services are delivered as well as what is delivered - an important element of an evidence-informed practice particularly for the most vulnerable families (Moore, 2016). This informs our evaluation.

Evaluation design Program Data collected ATTUNE Participant pre/post questionnaire Facilitator reports Tuning into Kids (evidence-based program – AIFS) Post qualitative questionnaire ILLY Up (RAV emerging program - AIFS) Staff and student pre/post questionnaire Confident Kinder Kids Staff questionnaire (pre/post) Home visiting outreach Qualitative client interviews Me as a Parent (MaaP) Program implementation & fidelity Program data monitoring Supervision

ILLY UP N = 248 Pre, N = 139 Post Preliminary evaluation report (May 2016)

ATTUNE n = 309 Female, 252 male, statistically significant responses Roughly 50% male/female participants – demonstrates we have been successful in engaging fathers which has been a gap (Fletcher, 2013). Statistically significant results Extracted Oct 2017

Me as a Parent: Pre = 82, Post = 56 Home Outreach Visits Me as a Parent: Pre = 82, Post = 56 Most referrals from TIK, and MCH, playgroup, ILLY Average session = 1.5, most = 5 Total completed home outreach visits = 102 21 male MaaP perceptions of competence, capacity

What we have learned We know what works- evidence based practice! Greater focus on ‘how’ & making programs work within family contexts. Implementing evaluation - the importance of program staff understanding the theory of change – translates into delivery and data collection. Flexible and tailored approach important to engaging vulnerable families. Successful in engaging fathers through antenatal programs. Promotes knowledge, skills and attitudes for healthy relationships and mental health. Important elements of the model – community engagement, multi-disciplinary team, responsive, culturally appropriate.