Mental health and Family Day Care

An exploratory cluster trial of a sustainable capacity building intervention to promote positive child mental health in Family Day Care

Chief Investigators: Dr Elise C Davis, Prof Elizabeth B Waters, Prof Helen E Herrman, A/Prof Linda J Harrison, Prof Margaret Sims, Dr Kay E Cook, Prof Andrew J Mackinnon, A/Prof Bernard J Marshall, Ms Cathrine Mihalopoulos

Administering Organisation: The University of Melbourne

Other Universities: The University of New England, Deakin University, Charles Sturt

Partner Organisations: Family Day Care Australia, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Windermere Child and Family Services Inc

Project Summary
Rarely is solution oriented intervention research built and conducted with rigorous research designs in communities of extreme disadvantage. This study builds on the enthusiasm of a leading child welfare organisation in its commitment to contribute to evidence for practice oriented solutions. The research will serve as a model for the Family Day Care and childcare sectors. The study is an essential step in the development of an intervention prior to a large scale evaluation. With a strong evidence base, this program may be implemented widely within the sector nationally, thus addressing a key area of children's health inequalities mental health.