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Element Three - 2010/11 Annual Report - Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership Agreement

This 2010/11 Annual Report (the Report) describes progress on achievements against outputs for Element Three of the National Partnership between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011.

PDF version : Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership Agreement - Element 3 (PDF 124 KB) and Attachment A (PDF 14 KB)

The National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Early Childhood Development was signed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in October 2008 as a first step to close the gap for Indigenous children. Under the National Partnership, clause 49 requires that the Commonwealth will provide an annual report to Parties for the preceding financial year by 31 August of each year, with regard to annual expenditure under Element 3.

Element One of the National Partnership commenced in January 2009 and Elements Two and Three of the National Partnership commenced in July 2009.

This 2010/11 Annual Report (the Report) describes progress on achievements against outputs for Element Three of the National Partnership between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011. The Report should be considered in conjunction with the ministerially agreed Implementation Plan and includes reporting against the milestones, financials and timelines detailed in the Implementation Plans.

Achievements against Outputs:
Element 3: Increase provision of maternal and child health services for Indigenous children and their mothers.

Background

New Directions: An equal start to life for Indigenous children is a 2007/08 election commitment and is a comprehensive strategy to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the early years consisting of three components:

• Child and Maternal Health Services;
• Early Development and Parenting Support; and
• Literacy and Numeracy in the Early Years.

The Child and Maternal Health Services component includes $112 million for the following initiatives:

• $90.3 million for comprehensive mothers and babies services (New Directions Mothers and Babies Services);
• $11.2 million for a Rheumatic Fever Strategy; and
• $10 million for an Indigenous Mothers Accommodation Fund (managed by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs).

From 1 July 2009 New Directions Mothers and Babies Services represents the Commonwealth’s Own Purpose Expenditure contribution to Element 3 of the Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership Agreement (IECD NP).

New Directions Mothers and Babies Services (New Directions) is managed by the Department of Health and Ageing through the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH). The program provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their mothers with increased access to:

• antenatal and postnatal care;
• standard information about baby care;
• practical advice and assistance with breastfeeding, nutrition and parenting;
• monitoring of developmental milestones, immunisation status and infections; and
• health checks and referrals to treatment for Indigenous children before starting school.

The Department of Health and Ageing undertakes a merit based selection process to select and fund primary health care organisations to deliver services that meet the aims of the program. Each state or territory office considers Indigenous demographics, levels of funding in the regions and health care provision in the regions, with particular emphasis on the 29 priority communities identified in COAG’s National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery (RSD NP). Consultations are held with Aboriginal Health Forums (or their equivalent) to assist in the identification of priority locations which will target areas in high need of child and maternal health services. Organisations, both large and small, within the identified priority regions are invited to apply for New Directions Mothers and Babies Services funding. Applications are assessed by a panel against agreed assessment criteria and recommendations for funding are made.

The service delivery model is determined by the primary health care organisations to ensure that services are being provided in the most appropriate way for their clients and communities.

$90.3 million has been committed to New Directions Mothers and Babies Services, this allocation includes both Administrative and Departmental funds for the New Directions Mothers and Babies Services program as well as funding for the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarships Scheme.

Implementation Plan

The Commonwealth’s Implementation Plan is published on the Federal Financial Relations website (www.federalfinancialrelations.gov.au).

The strategies and measures detailed in the Implementation Plan to meet the aim of increasing access to child and maternal health services in priority regions across Australia through the New Directions Mothers and Babies Services program have been successfully achieved.

Progress against benchmarks and deliverables

Activities undertaken, services developed and/or Implemented in the reporting period to achieve the objectives under Element 3
Establish Wave 3 sites and manage funding agreements for Waves 1-3 sites. Select and fund Wave 4 sites. Plan and scope Departmental program review. Consult with stakeholders to review Waves 1-4 investment and identify priority regions for Wave 5.	Ongoing management of Waves 1, 2 and 3 organisations continued. Funding Agreements continued to be managed by the Department of Health and Ageing. Organisations undertake activities in a variety of service delivery models including home-visiting; outreach such as mobile clinics; clinic-based activities such as provision of antenatal classes and group gatherings; cooking classes to teach nutrition; education about babies’ development; and child hearing checks. All Waves 1 and 2 sites are operational. Thirteen of the fourteen Wave 3 services are operational. Due to difficulty in recruiting key personnel to administer the program the New Directions service at Western Arrernte Health Aboriginal Centre, Hermannsburg, Northern Territory is yet to be established. Measures: (a) Suitable Wave 3 proposals are received from eligible primary health care providers - Achieved (b) New services are funded in priority regions – Achieved (c) 13 Wave 3 sites are operational - Achieved The Department of Health and Ageing State and Territory Offices, undertook a merit based selection process to fund appropriate Wave 4 organisations. The process included: Identification of priority regions in ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, Tas and WA in consultation with the Aboriginal Health Partnership Forums, or equivalent, and consideration of need including demographics, population, existing funding, capacity of organisations; Noting of priority regions by Minister Snowdon, the Minister for Indigenous Health; Identification of appropriate primary health care organisations, within priority regions, invited to apply for funding; Assessment of funding applications against selection criteria and the making of recommendations for funding; Approval of funding and finalisation of Funding Agreements with primary health care organisations or organisations which deliver primary health care within priority regions. 20 primary health care organisations were funded in 2010/11 bringing the total number to 76. A list of organisations funded in 2010/11 is at Attachment A. $25.8 million was allocated in 2010/11 for New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services, including $0.5 million for Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme. $25.0 million was expended. $0.8 million was not spent in 2010/11 because some of the newly funded organisations were unable to enter into funding agreements prior to 30 June 2011. Measures: (a) Suitable Wave 4 proposals are received from eligible primary health care providers - Achieved (b) New services are funded in priority regions – Achieved A program review will be achieved via the broader IECD NP evaluation. A procurement process is underway to engage a consultant to conduct the evaluation. Measure: Program review planned and scoped – To be Achieved via IECD NP Evaluation Consultation with stakeholders occurred through the Aboriginal Health Forums (or equivalent). Planning was undertaken to ensure that services and investment were rolled out in a coordinated and complementary way, taking into account existing services delivered by state/territory governments and the community controlled sector. Participation in the Aboriginal Health Forums varies across jurisdictions but generally consists of representatives from State/Territory Governments; the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) or affiliates in the relevant jurisdiction; and Commonwealth Officers. In some jurisdictions membership includes the Divisions of General Practice, through their State-based peak bodies. An altered approach for Wave 5 funding was approved by Minister Snowdon on 23 December 2010. In consultation with key stakeholders, organisations in communities of high need will be identified and invited to apply for New Directions Mothers and Babies Services funding in 2011-12. Measures: (a) Outcomes of consultations with key stakeholders are recorded – Achieved (b) Minister approves approach for Wave 5 – Achieved
Provide funding for additional Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarships.	The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme commenced in 2002, additional funding was committed under New Directions Mothers and Babies Services in 2008/09. In 2010/11 a funding contribution of $526,000 from the New Directions Mothers and Babies Services program was provided to fund additional Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarships. This contribution, combined with $3,545,300 from the Department of Health and Ageing, funded 332.5 (full-time equivalent) Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarships in the 2010 academic year. The Scheme aims to help address the under-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health professions and assist in increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with professional health qualifications. The scholarship provides financial assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are undertaking study in a health related discipline at an undergraduate or TAFE (Certificate IV and above) level in the areas of: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Alcohol and other drugs workers Allied health (excluding pharmacy) Dentistry/oral health Health service management Health promotion Medicine Mental health Midwifery Nursing Measure: Full time and part time scholarships awarded to eligible applicants - Achieved
Linkages and coordination with other services provided and community Involvement
	Links with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), and State and Territory Governments were maintained and information shared on Element 3 of the IECD NP through formal and informal communication channels such as officer level discussions and information exchange. A New Directions Mothers and Babies Services e-newsletter was published September 2010. The e-newsletter has the theme ‘Your Service, Your Story’ with the aim of providing a forum for New Directions services to share their story and successes with other New Directions services.
Key issues and constraints in implementing proposed activities and services
	All activities and milestones outlined in the Implementation Plan have been achieved. There continue to be some key constraints for some funded organisations for services to be established and commence delivery within a reasonable timeframe. These are: a) Difficulty or delay in sourcing appropriate resources and finalising minor capital works within a reasonable timeframe due to unforeseen circumstances. b) Difficulty in recruiting and retaining a sufficient workforce with appropriate skills to deliver the intended child and maternal health services.
Service Location: Urban; Regional; or Remote
	13 organisations funded are in urban locations; 34 organisations funded are in regional locations; and 29 organisations funded are in remote locations.

Attachment A

State/ Territory	Organisation Name	Project Locality or Region
ACT	Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service	ACT
NSW	Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney Cooperative	Western Sydney
	Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative Limited	Hunter New England
	Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre	Port Macquarie/ Foster/Taree
	Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Northern
	Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service	Mid North Coast
	Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service Incorporated	Murrumbidgee
	Hunter New England Local Health District	Lake Macquarie
	Hunter New England Local Health District	Cessnock
	Hunter New England Local Health District	Moree/Gwydir
	IIIawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District - Southern Hospitals Network	IIIawarra Shoalhaven
	Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NSW) Limited	Northern
	North West Slopes (NSW) Division of General Practice	Hunter New England
	Orange Aboriginal Health Service	Western
	Riverina Medical & Dental Aboriginal Corporation	Murrumbidgee
	Royal Hospital for Women - auspiced by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District	Sydney Eastern South
	South Coast Women's Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda)	Illawarra Shoalhaven
	South Eastern Sydney Local Health District - Central Hospitals Network	Sydney Eastern South
	South Western Sydney Local Health District	South Western Sydney
	Sydney Local Health District	Sydney
	Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation	South Western Sydney
	Yerin Aboriginal Health Service	Central Coast
NT	Ampilatwatja Health Centre Aboriginal Corporation	Central Australia
	Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC)	Alice Springs
	Danila Dilba Health Services	Darwin
	Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation	Katherine West
	Laynhapuy Homelands Association Incorporation	East Arnhem
	Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation - Nhulunbuy Clinic	East Arnhem
	Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation - Ngalkanbuy Clinic	East Arnhem
	Northern Territory Department of Health	Top End West & Maningrida
	Pintubi Homelands Health Service	Central Australia
	Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Katherine East
	Western Arrente Health Aboriginal Corporation - auspiced by CAAC	Central Australia
	Willowra, Yuendumu, Nyirripi Health Service (WYN) - auspiced by NT DoH	Central Australia
	Wurli Wurlinja Health Service	Katherine Urban
QLD	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane Ltd	South East Metro
	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Mackay Ltd	Central
	Apunipima Cape York Health Council Aboriginal Corporation	Cape York
	Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health	Far South West
	Darling Downs Shared Care (T/A Carbal Medical Centre)	Toowoomba
	Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation	Far North
	Inala Indigenous Health Service (auspiced by Queensland Health)	South East Metro
	Institute for Urban Indigenous Health	South East Metro
	Ipswich West Moreton Division of General Practice	South East Metro
	Mamu Health Service	Far North
	Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan	Far North
	Mount Isa Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service	North West
	Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre	Far North
	North and West Queensland Primary Health Care Assn (including Royal Flying Doctor Service)	North West
	Townsville General Practice Network	North
	Wuchopperen Health Services Ltd	Far North
SA	Country Health SA (Port Augusta)	Whyalla Flinders and Far North
	Country Health SA (Ceduna)	Eyre
	Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Inc	Eyre
	Tullawon Health Service	Eyre
TAS	Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation	North West
	Department of Health and Human Services	Huon Valley including Kingborough
	Flinders Island Aboriginal Association	Northern
	North West Tasmania Division of General Practice Incorporated	North West
	Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre	North West
	Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre	South
VIC	Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-op	Grampians
	Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative	Loddon Mallee
	Mercy Public Hospitals Inc	Metropolitan
	Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative	Loddon Mallee
WA	Bega Garnbirringu Health Service	Goldfields - Kalgoorlie/ Boulder
	Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service	West Kimberley
	Marwarnkarra Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Pilbara
	Ngaanyatjarra Health Service	Goldfields/Ngaanyatjarra Lands
	Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni Aboriginal Corporation	Goldfields - Kalgoorlie/ Boulder
	Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service	East Kimberley
	Western Australian Country Health Service (Midwest) - Carnarvon Hospital	Inland Midwest
	Western Australian Country Health Service (Midwest) - Geraldton	Inland Midwest
	Wirraka Maya Health Service	Pilbara
	Yura Yungi Medical Service	East Kimberley

Notes:
1. shaded organisations approved for funding during 2010-11 financial year (Wave 4)
2. North and West Queensland Primary Health Care Assoc and RFDS each submitted funding successful applications and later pooled funding. They are counted as separate organisations.