Publications
Early Childhood Intervention Services Reform Project
In 2008 the Government initiated a reform project in Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services. An advisory group to support the project was established with membership including representatives from ECI services, peak bodies and client advocacy groups and stakeholder consultations were held. The ECI reform project has included the preparation of two core documents – a review of the literature and research evidence base and a review of early childhood intervention services.
Download these documents, together with the Victorian Government’s response to the review:
- DEECD Early Childhood Intervention Reform Project: Literature review (PDF - 816Kb)
- Reform of Early Childhood Intervention: Strategies and Actions (PDF - 836Kb)
- Reform of Early Childhood Intervention: Strategies and Actions – Government Response (PDF - 165Kb)
Policy and Funding Plan
This Policy and Funding Plan is produced in relation to the Office for Children programs to inform agencies about the annual budget, its distribution across a range of services and the way in which the funds allocation and program funding will be managed over the year.
For a full copy of the plan, see Office for Children Policy and Funding Plan 2006-2009 (PDF - 652Kb).
Disability Act 2006
The Disability Act 2006 ('the Act') commenced on 1 July 2007. It replaced the Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services Act 1986 and Disability Services Act 1991. The Act provides for:
- a stronger whole-of-government, whole-of-community response to the rights and needs of people with a disability
- a framework for the provision of high quality services and supports for people with a disability.
For more information about the Act and Regulations, see Legislation.
Autism in Victoria
An investigation into autism, it's prevalence and service deliver for children aged 0-6 years has been made.
For more information, see Autism in Victoria (PDF - 287Kb).
Program Standards
The Victorian Government is committed to supporting early intervention services to provide programs as early as possible in a child's life, to ensure the best outcomes for these children and their families.
For more information, see Specialist Children's Services Program Standards 1998 (PDF - 478Kb) (19 pages).
Outcomes in ECIS - Executive Summary
The Service Outcomes in Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECIS) project assists the Department and ECIS service providers to understand the extent to which contemporary principles related to service design and service funding, which are believed to have a positive impact on client and family outcomes, have been implemented.
See here for the Outcomes in ECIS - executive summary March 2008 (PDF - 659Kb).
Hearing impairment information kit
The Department has led the development of an information kit, When a baby’s hearing loss is diagnosed - Fact Sheets for families.
The kit has been designed in collaboration with parents, service providers and other key stakeholders, in response to issues raised by families about access to quality information at the time of their baby or young infant’s diagnosed hearing impairment.
You can download the kit via the links below:
- Early Childhood Intervention Services (PDF - 253Kb)
- Early diagnosis of hearing loss – Why now and what’s next? (PDF - 424Kb)
- What does a diagnosis of hearing loss mean? (PDF - 323Kb)
- Do other parents feel like this? (PDF - 376Kb)
- What does this diagnosis mean for my role as a parent? (PDF - 308Kb)
- What does a diagnosis of hearing loss mean for my baby’s future? (PDF - 261Kb)
- Explaining your child’s hearing loss to the extended family (PDF - 405Kb)
- Hearing loss – the facts (PDF - 298Kb)
- If I live in rural Victoria, what services are available? (PDF - 391Kb)
- Hearing Impairment Kit (PDF - 654Kb)
- Parent’s stories: Ethan’s story (PDF - 292Kb)
- Parent’s stories: Isaac’s story (PDF - 559Kb)
- Parent’s stories: Misha’s story (PDF - 473Kb)
- Parent’s stories: Spencer’s story (PDF - 351Kb)
- Parent’s stories: My two boys (PDF - 336Kb)
Sharing our Journey
An enhanced process supporting the transition to school for children with severe disabilities in receipt of a Kindergarten Inclusion Support package.
For more information, see:
- 'Sharing Our Journey' Protocol (PDF - 281Kb) - for early childhood services, early intervention services, preschool field officers, and schools to assist in implementing a plan to support transition for these children and families.
- 'Sharing Our Journey’ Information Kit (PDF - 885Kb) - for parents including information sheets, a child profile and an actions planner to support the child’s move from kindergarten to school.