Community Programs

The Programmes delivered through the West Pilbara Communities for Children are listed below:

Ranger 4 Life delivered by ABC Foundation

The ABC Foundation has designed Ranger For Life (R4L) as a holistic programme which incorporates parents/guardians, children, teachers and elders in overall delivery. The programme works with three target groups, (1) children currently in the school system and who are at risk of becoming disengaged, (2) children transitioning into the school system and (3) children completely disengaged and not within the education system.

Both parents/guardians and their children learn through an On-Country language exchange, both in written and verbal form i.e. Listening to country- designed with numeracy, literacy and Eye, Ear Health. Enhancing the current knowledge base through understanding the importance of good communication and interpretation of a healthy natural environment. This approach can provide the foundation for children to enter the school system and parents/guardians to feel confident and empowered to further support their children from a very early age, with generational knowledge of country.

This programme also works closely with local Primary Schools and service providers including Nintirri Inc., Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation, the respective Native Title Bodies and Tom Price health services to ensure success is delivered through a strong collaborative approach.

Contact: https://abcau.com.au/

Circle of Security Parenting delivered by Karratha Central Healthcare

CoS is a licensed, evidence-based parenting program aimed to assist and support young and/or vulnerable families to reflect, learn and apply healthier attachment patterns. The program is based on the Circle of Security® model, developed in the United States of America by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper and Bert Powell. The program is based on years of research in Attachment Theory and aims to enhance a secure attachment between a parent and their child.

The Pilbara Region as a community has had exposure to the Circle of Security® model, with the program being successfully delivered over the past 8 years. With the ongoing support of funding through the WPC4C, the CoS program will continue to:

reach more families within the region due to the program’s longevity
provide a "gateway" to support and health services for both the parent and child
improve collaboration between individuals and services; and
increase opportunities for vulnerable families to create support networks and connections.

Cool Kids Karratha and Wickham delivered by Karratha Central Healthcare

The Cool Kids Anxiety Program is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with a focus on teaching practical skills to young people. Topics include:

Learning about feelings and anxiety
Learning to think more realistically
Parenting an anxious child
Fighting fear by facing fear
Learning other coping skills (such as building social confidence or learning to solve problems)

The Cool Kids program is evidence-based and aims to improve the health and wellbeing of families and the development of young children, with specific attention to:

Supporting families and parents – Support for parents to provide children with secure attachment, consistent support and quality environments that are stable, positive, stimulating, safe and secure.
Early learning - Providing access to high quality early learning opportunities in the years before school; provide early identification and support for children at risk of development and behavioural problems.
School transition and engagement – supporting children and families to make a smooth transition to school and working with local schools to assist children and families with their ongoing engagement with school.

The Cool Kids Program will contribute to the creation of strong child-friendly communities that understand the importance of children and applies this capacity to maximise the health, wellbeing and early development of young children at the local level.

West Pilbara Wellbeing Programme delivered by Karratha Central Healthcare

The West Pilbara Wellbeing Programme actively targets the promotion of good mental health and the reduction of risk for adverse mental health conditions. The program centres on a skill building approach with a focal point of developing student’s resilience and social emotional skills to reduce their risk of anxiety, depression, suicidality and substance abuse behaviours. These mental health problems are of prevalence and concern in regional and rural Western Australia. To reduce the level of disease burden of mental health conditions and the rate of deaths caused by suicide, further investment is needed to implement greater prevention and mental health promotion programs.

The program is delivered from a trauma informed care perspective and includes information and training on trauma response and care for teachers. Year Four children will be the focus of this program initially as research identifies that there is strong social and emotional growth and development at this age.

Holyoake Drumbeat delivered by Karratha Community House

DRUMBEAT (Discovering Relationships Using Music Beliefs Emotions Attitudes & Thoughts) is a program that uses hand drumming as a way for participants to explore and engage connections between making music together as a group and development of healthy relationships.

The Holyoake DRUMBEAT program allows participants to partake in a cooperative process, utilising group discussions, analogies between music and relationships as well as real life experiences. The primary aim of the program is to increase self-esteem and develop social and emotional skills.

DRUMBEAT is proven to be very effective in schools. It helps students to establish and build positive relationships in an innovative, engaging and memorable way. Independent research indicates that the program can lead to:

Better self-esteem, sense of belonging, co-operation and emotional stability;
Decreased behavioural incidents, stress and anxiety;
Improved attendance, academic performance, relationships and interaction with others.

Timetable and Bookings:

https://karrathacommunityhouse.org.au/programs/holyoake-drumbeat/

Parent-Child Mother Goose delivered by Karratha Community House

Parent-Child Mother Goose is an evidence-based program that strengthens attachment and interaction between parents or carers and their young children by introducing them to the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs and stories together.

Through the program, parents gain skills and confidence that help them create positive family patterns during their children's crucial early years. At the same time, children benefit from enjoyable, healthy early experiences with language and communication.

Parent-Child Mother Goose is particularly suitable for parents and carers who need extra support because of their own personal or social circumstances, or because their children have special needs or are otherwise at risk.

Timetable and Bookings:

https://karrathacommunityhouse.org.au/programs/parent-child-mother-goose-family-time/

Parent Child Mother Goose delivered by

V Swans

Parent-Child Mother Goose is an evidence-based program that strengthens attachment and interaction between parents or carers and their young children by introducing them to the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs and stories together.

Through the program, parents gain skills and confidence that help them create positive family patterns during their children's crucial early years. At the same time, children benefit from enjoyable, healthy early experiences with language and communication.

Parent-Child Mother Goose is particularly suitable for parents and carers who need extra support because of their own personal or social circumstances, or because their children have special needs or are otherwise at risk.

Sports Fundamentals delivered by V Swans

The Sports Fundamentals program encourages active early years children to develop their fundamental movement skills (FMS) in a fun and safe environment with the use of Australian Rules Football (AFL), basketball, soccer and cricket and multi-sports equipment.

The program uses sport to encourage a young person's development through play, sport, teamwork and listening. The process is supported by parents in a one-on-one capacity to aid and support their child's learning. Active young people exposed to fundamental movement skills-based programs have shown that exposure and mentoring in the 12 skills of balancing, running, jumping, catching, hopping, throwing, galloping, skipping, leaping, and kicking will set up healthy habits for life.

These skills are the “building blocks” for more complex and specialized balance, locomotor, and ball skills which children require throughout their lives to participate in different games, sports, and recreational activities.

The Homework Club delivered by V Swans

The homework club is a safe, welcoming and supportive space where all school age children are encouraged to attend regardless of their educational abilities. The club will be reflective of a ‘no shame’ environment, where children are free to ask questions and seek help when needed in a discrete manner. This also provides a chance for the teachers to pick up on children who may need help but are too shame to ask.

Circle of Security Parenting delivered by

V Swans

CoS is a licensed, evidence-based parenting program aimed to assist and support young and/or vulnerable families to reflect, learn and apply healthier attachment patterns. The program is based on the Circle of Security® model, developed in the United States of America by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper and Bert Powell. The program is based on years of research in Attachment Theory and aims to enhance a secure attachment between a parent and their child.

The Pilbara Region as a community has had exposure to the Circle of Security® model, with the program being successfully delivered over the past 8 years. With the ongoing support of funding through the WPC4C, the CoS program will continue to:

reach more families within the region due to the program’s longevity
provide a "gateway" to support and health services for both the parent and child
improve collaboration between individuals and services; and
increase opportunities for vulnerable families to create support networks and connections.

Safe Space delivered by WA PCYC

safeSPACE™ is a core diversionary program for vulnerable children and young people at risk. Programs are run before school, after school and into the evening. safeSPACE™ creates a home away from home where young people can relax, make friends and be entertained.

A huge range of activities are offered at safeSPACE™ Programs, from basketball to bike riding, arts and crafts, cooking, help with homework, access to the PCYC Keys for Life program and more formal workshops. Opportunities that some children would never have access to otherwise.

As well as providing a safe place for children and young people, the program plays a vital role providing access to a wider support network when needed. As young people build relationships with PCYC staff and trust them to talk to, this provides an avenue for PCYC to refer participants to other agencies and services that can help with issues such as mental health, family violence or drug abuse.