DHF Annual Report 2009 - NT Health Digital Library - Northern ...

Healthy Children and Young People inSafe and Strong FamiliesThe Northern Territory has a high proportion of young people: 24.5% of the total population is aged between 0-14live in the Northern Territory and over 50% of the Territory’s Aboriginal population are aged 25 years or younger.Today’s young are the leaders and parents of tomorrow and their health, safety and wellbeing are essential.The foundations for health and wellbeing are laid down before birth and during early childhood. Good antenatalcare is needed to optimise maternal and birth outcomes together with services to support parents, promotechild development and learning. Early detection and management of health and developmental problemscan have a positive impact on both current andfuture health, educational attainment and socialfunctioning.Key focus areasAll families want the best for their children andyoung people. Some families require only minimalmay struggle with the many challenges of raisinghealthy, strong children and providing a safe familyand community environment. When necessary, theDepartment undertakes protective interventionsto safeguard the wellbeing of children and youngpeople facing unacceptable risk or harm. TheDepartment also supports families, young peopleand communities to address antisocial behaviourof young people.We delivered in 2009-10Enhancing the system for integrated maternity, earlychildhood and school-age health and wellbeing services.Strengthening the Northern Territory’s childprotection system.Building family and community strength and resilience.Working together with the non-government sector tosupport vulnerable families.as antisocial behaviour, domestic and family violence.Implemented a pregnancy education book for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to provideconsistent and accessible pregnancy and early parenting information.to Aboriginal women under 25 years and their infants and families in some remote communities.aim of decreasing teenage pregnancy rates and improving early access to health care during pregnancy.knowledge in a culturally safe way to Aboriginal women and girls in remote communities around sexualhealth, pregnancy and early parenting education. This program acknowledges the importance of cultureas a component of health and wellbeing.program incorporates key assessment and information prompts for practitioners to assist in identifyingrisk factors associated with failure to thrive including a focus on family function and social factors toprovide a comprehensive picture of the child’s life, assessment of social supports (risks) and act as anearly warning system, and provides a basis for appropriate interventions.and enhancing their skills, utilising and building on their knowledge and providing a platform for practitionersto provide referrals for more targeted interventions and services.28Department Health and Families