Library
Case Studies
Parents Plus – “Kathy’s Story” – click here
Home Visiting – “Roy & Helen” - click here
Targeted Supported Playgroup – “Tuesdays are my day” – click here
Publications
Professional Home Visiting: Good Beginnings investigated the relationship between paid and volunteer workers involved in home visiting. A report was produced which provides information on findings and recommendations regarding the relationship between paid and volunteer home visiting programs as well as inter-agency collaboration. A framework for a primary professional home visiting program has been outlined. The process applied to develop this model was documented, to assist stakeholders interested in the development and expansion of home visiting services.
Download Report part.1 (PDF)
Reports on Community Services
Available resources and information in the four pilot areas were examined to identify sources of information, which are most useful to families in accessing the services they need.
Download Resource Needs of New Parents Report (PDF)
Audit of Parent Help Lines
An Audit of the 24-Hour Parent Help Lines was conducted resulting in Good Beginnings gaining support from the members of the National Council of Community Child Health Managers to provide a page in the Personal Health Record (Phr). The page includes Parent Help Line contact numbers and the name of the Child Health Nursing Service in each state/territory to ensure families have access to assistance at all times.
Download Audit of Parent Help Lines (PDF)
Best Practice Guidelines - Volunteer Home Visiting
The Good Beginnings National Parenting Project facilitated the development of Best Practice Guidelines for volunteer home visiting programs. Twenty-eight participants from professional and volunteer organisations from all states and territories developed the Best Practice Guidelines at a workshop. The Guidelines are based on a set of core values reflecting social justice and equity principles. However, the Guidelines are meant to be inclusive, enabling diverse services to maintain their philosophies, structures and methods. It is assumed that these Guidelines are applicable to all organisations working with families through home visiting regardless of whether they involve volunteer or paid workers.
Download Best Practice Guidelines Volunteer Home Visiting
Home Visiting
Rosemary Cant, Social Systems and Evaluation, completed the final Evaluation Report of the first pilot phase of Good Beginnings The evaluation has demonstrated very positive outcomes for families and communities as a result of the program. Expansion of Good Beginnings Volunteer Home Visiting & Parenting Programs across Australia has been recommended.
Download Good Beginnings Evaluation Report - 2000 (PDF)
Risdon Prison Program Evaluation
The independent external consultants concluded "... inmate fathers have been able to improve communication skills, develop conflict resolution skills, develop confidence and willingness to participate in parenting... and reduce incidents of aggressive behaviour". Befits to spouses and children were clearly evident.
Download Prison Evaluation Report (PDF)
Marketing Workbook
One of the major weaknesses identified by community organisations is a lack of understanding of marketing principles, one effect of which is those organisations holding inappropriate expectations of business. Business will not recognise the value of a community organisation without the organisation's benefits being pointed out, yet most community organisations cannot identify benefits for business or point these out in succinct terms. While the discipline of marketing sets out standard approaches to this kind of transaction problem, and there are several successful examples in most communities, these are often the result of entrepreneurial skills of a single individual. The Workbook combines expert academic and practical marketing advice with Good Beginnings' experience in community development for community and not-for-profit organisations. This workbook will facilitate the formation of best practice business relations and help build community expertise in fundraising and sponsorship negotiation.
Download Marketing Workbook (PDF)
Elements of a Good Beginning
Good Beginnings Australia conducts a wide range of community-supported early intervention programs aimed at improving children's start in life. While there are a large number of indicators of the importance of this period, ranging from brain development to educational outcomes, relatively little work has been done to define what could constitute a 'good beginning’. This study aimed to produce a simplified but useful outline of the field, by collating expert opinion on the topic addressing the question of "What would constitute a 'good beginning' for Australia's children".
Download Report: What makes a Good Beginning (PDF)
Video and Workbook
A video and workbook was developed for use by paid workers and others who work with children and their families across a range of sectors. The learning package stimulates discussion on positive and creative ways of establishing rapport with children and their parents in the first five minutes of interaction. Copies of this package are available at a cost of $50 plus postage and handling. To order a copy please email us at nationaloffice@goodbeginnings.net.au to order your copies.
Evaluation Reports
Clarendon Vale Connect (Tasmania) Evaluation Report.
Download Evaluation Report (PDF)
Fathering Program Literature
The latest fathering brochures designed for expectant and new fathers by Good Beginnings titled: Dads - Work and Family: finding a balance; New Dads - Understanding your changing relationships; Dads can make a difference to Postnatal depression; and Fathers role in Breastfeeding are now available.
Download Fathering Literature Order Form (PDF)
