Speak Out December 2018

Education and early childhood updates

School readiness funding in Victoria

The Victorian Department of Education and Training is rolling out school readiness funding over the next three years to kindergarten services across Victoria. In 2019, kindergarten services in 25 LGAs will receive school readiness funding. This is an exciting, Australian-first initiative that will provide speech pathologists with the opportunity to contribute to improving educational quality in the kindergarten setting and support improved outcomes for children in Victoria. The school readiness funding allied health model aims to build the capability of educators, parents and families, by enhancing their skills and knowledge to support the learning and development of kindergarten-aged children. The following providers will contract multidisciplinary teams of allied health staff, including speech pathologists, to work with kindergartens: • Sunraysia Community Health Services – Mallee (Buloke Shire, Gannawarra Shire, Mildura Rural City and Swan Hill Rural City) • Wimmera Health Care Group – Wimmera South West (Horsham Rural City, Hindmarsh Shire, Yarriambiack Shire, West Wimmera Shire and Northern Grampians Shire)

• South West Healthcare – Wimmera South West (Warrnambool City, Moyne Shire, Southern Grampians Shire, Glenelg Shire and Corrangamite Shire) • Monash Health – Southern Melbourne (Cardinia City, Casey City and Greater Dandenong City) • IPC Health - Brimbank Melton (City of Brimbank and City of Melton) • Central Gippsland Community Health – Outer Gippsland (Wellington Shire) • Gippsland Lakes Community Health – Outer Gippsland (East Gippsland Shire) • Latrobe Community Health Service – Inner Gippsland (Bass Coast Shire, Baw Baw Shire, Latrobe City and South Gippsland Shire) To receive more information about these positions, please contact the above providers directly. You can also access further information about the initiative at the following link: www. education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/funding/Pages/srf. aspx Webinars The Association is planning a number of webinars focusing on the early childhood sector in 2019. Details will be provided via the usual channels. Please note also that the Facebook member network, SPA SPEL (Speech Pathologists in Education and Learning) is now open to members practising in the early childhood sector. ‘Speech Pathology in Schools’ – video resource The Association is developing a video resource showcasing a whole school approach in primary, secondary and special schools with case studies nationally. We are anticipating a launch date in February 2019 and will continue to update you via the normal channels. For further information on any of the above initiatives, please contact Mary Gornik, National Advisor – Education, Early Childhood & Projects at mgornik@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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December 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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