Links
These links have been selected because the resources they provide may be relevant and appropriate to CAFCA users.
Many of the organisations listed conduct research and/or provide access to research findings that may assist CAFCA users in planning and/or delivering services.
These links have a geographical bias to Australia. However, some key international sites are also included.
Australia
National
Australasian Evaluation Society (AES)
The main professional organisation in Australasia for people involved in evaluation. In addition to promoting ethical and high quality evaluation practices the AES provides training, seminars, workshops and forums in major Australian capital cities on issues relating to evaluation.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Provides statistics on a vast range of topics on their Statistics page including: Family and Community, Indigenous health and wellbeing, Health and Housing.
Australian Childhood Foundation (formerly known as Australians Against Child Abuse)
Aims to promote children's right by providing education, lobbying, advocacy and information exchange, policy input, direct service delivery and training. It offers specialist and innovative therapy and assessment services to abused children and their families. It also provides an education and consultation program to community professionals working in the field of child abuse and family violence.
Australian Early Development Index (AEDI)
A population measure of children's development as they enter school. Teacher completed checklists provide the basis for AEDI data which measures early childhood development. Communities can utilize AEDI data to assess how well they are supporting young children and their families.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Seeks to inform policy and practice in Indigenous health by making research and other relevant information accessible. Also provides an extensive suite of resources relating to Indigenous health including: plain language reviews on a range of relevant topics (e.g. social and emotional health, diabetes), links to relevant policies and strategies and electronic networks for sharing information, knowledge and experiences of Indigenous health.
Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)
A non-profit organisation that seeks to bring about better futures for Australia's children and young people. ARACY promotes and supports collaborations between researchers, policy-makers and practitioner. The organisation has a strong focus upon utilizing research to inform policy, practice and behavior change.
Brotherhood of St Laurence
A non-profit organisation that advocates for a poverty-free Australia. The work of the Brotherhood of St Laurence encompasses research that focuses upon building the knowledge base and counteracting the affects of disadvantage and poverty.
Centre for Community Child Health
Conducts research into early childhood development and behavior. The Centre has a specific focus upon supporting and strengthening community based professionals and organisations working with families and children and produces a range of accessible, evidence-based resources for those audiences including a regular series of policy briefs.
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)
Seeks to bring about better mental health outcomes for children (0-18 years) of parents with a mental health problem or disorder. The organisation's website provides links to resources for people working with children of parents with a mental illness.
Closing the Gap Clearinghouse
The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse provides a central point of access for evidence-based research on overcoming disadvantage for Indigenous Australians.
Early Childhood Australia (ECA)
A non-profit organisation that advocates for quality, social justice and equity in matters relating to the education and care of children aged 0-8 years. The organisation develops and contributes to policy relating to early childhood education and care and promotes increased awareness of the needs of children and families.
Families Australia
An independent, peak, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the needs and interests of families. Their resources page provides access to articles and other resources about contemporary national family issues.
The Family Action Centre
A self-funded organisation based at the University of Newcastle that views families as the foundation of healthy communities. The Centre strengthens families and communities by developing and implementing programs, undertaking research and training and creating models of practice. Fathers and fathering is a specific research focus of the Family Action Centre.
National Investment for the Early Years (NIFTeY)
An independent organisation comprising of a range of individuals working in numerous fields who are committed to improving the welfare of children and families. NIFTeY advocates for 'investment' in the early years, viewing this period as critical to development and long-term wellbeing.
Parenting Research Centre
A research and development organisation that aims to help parents raise healthy and happy children. PRC conducts and disseminates research on parenting in order to support parents, policy-makers and professionals.
Raising Children Network
Provides practical tools and up-to-date information on a range of topics including child health, safety, nutrition and parental wellbeing. The Network primarily supports parents and caregivers however it also has useful resources for professionals who work with families.
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
The non-government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Its mission is to provide a strong voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families through a national body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's services and promoting the rights, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
The Smith Family
Conducts research on a range of topics of relevance to children and families in disadvantaged communities such as: poverty, social exclusion and home to school transition. Reports and publications based upon Smith Family research are freely available through the Smith Family website.
What Works. The Work program - Improving outcomes for Indigenous students
What Works. The Work Program helps schools plan and take action to improve educational outcomes for Australian Indigenous students. This website provides material to support the three-step process: building awareness, forming partnership and working systematically. Case studies of successful practice at particular points in time are provided to suggest strategies that could be more widely applicable. Materials are provided to assist Indigenous parents and communities in their discussions about how to work together for better outcomes for their children.
Australian Capital Territory
Parent Link
An ACT Government initiative that aims to provide accessible, up-to-date information on parenting issues and family support systems.
New South Wales
Brighter Futures
An early intervention program funded by the NSW Government that provides targeted support to vulnerable children and families. The Brighter Futures website provides a range of evidence-based resources for professionals who work with vulnerable children and families.
Research to Practice Program (NSW Department of Community Services)
A NSW Department of Community Services initiative that encourages the active use of research within the Department. The program provides regular updates on national and international research of relevance to policy-makers and practitioners whose work concerns vulnerable children and families.
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Department of Families
For Northern Territory families who are bringing up children. The site provides a range of tip sheets for parents.
Queensland
Queensland Government Family
Provides information on Queensland Government initiatives for families and information on early years and parenting.
South Australia
Child and Youth Health
An initiative of the Government of South Australia. Child and Youth Health provides extensive information on health issues of relevance to children, young people, parents and caregivers.
Tasmania
Health and Wellbeing Directory (Department of Health and Human Services)
Provides information on health and wellbeing issues and contact details for services provided in Tasmania, including issues and services relating to children and families and communities, through the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services.
Victoria
Best Start
A Victorian Government early years initiative that aims to support families, caregivers and communities to provide optimum environments, experience and care for young children. The initiative has a strong focus upon prevention and early intervention.
FORK - Families of Offenders Resource Kit: Infosheets for Workers
These information sheets are for those professionals working with families of offenders. They cover three main areas: (1) Issues for families, such as engaging families, parenting and children, indigenous and CALD communities (2) Families and the justice system, such as arrest to release, keeping in contact, release and re-integration (3) Criminal resources, such as pamphlets, parent/carer handouts.
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Co-operative (VACCA)
A statewide Aboriginal community controlled and operated service that focuses upon Aboriginal child and family welfare. VACCA provides a range of programs and services in addition to promoting and advocating for Aboriginal children, young people and families.
Western Australia
Department for Communities
Develops programs and policies to support communities and families. The site provides locally relevant information for parents, families and early years professionals.
International
Canada
Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development
This site covers 38 topics related to the psychosocial development of the child, from conception to the age of five, and presents the most up-to-date scientific knowledge.
UK
Barnardos (UK) books and tools for professionals
Barnardos (UK) makes a range of resources such as research reports and research summaries available through their website on the Books and Tools for Professionals website. The topics covered include: Tackling Exclusion and Poverty and Communities. Some of these resources can be downloaded free of charge.
The Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (UK) - The London School of Economics and Political Science
The focus of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) is on exploration of different dimensions of social disadvantage, particularly from longitudinal and neighbourhood perspectives, and examination of the impact of public policy. The Centre conducts specific research projects and publishes a series of discussion papers, CASEpapers, and a series of CASEbriefs, which summarise the research.
Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO)
An organisation developed for the UK children's sector that identifies and coordinates evidence from the UK regarding effective services and programs for children.
The Centre for Research on Families and Relationships
The Centre for Research on Families and Relationships is based in Scotland. It produces high quality, collaborative and inclusive research relating to families and relationships. The Centre's research briefing series presents the findings of research in a brief, accessible format on topics such as young fathers and their experience of forming families, the work life balance and understanding social and health inequalities.
Child trends research briefs
Covers research topics relating to children and young people including child poverty, school readiness and indicators of child well-being. Although some of the briefs are specifically designed for professionals practising in the UK others are relevant to a Australian audience.
Family & Parenting Institute
A charity aiming to improve the wellbeing of children and families in the UK. The Institute provides resources and links to information for professionals working with children and families.
Family Strengthening Policy Centre
Aims to make family strengthening a priority by mainstreaming neighborhood-based, family-centered practices, programs and policy. The Center's objective is to promote family policy that contributes to family economic and social empowerment. The site includes publications (Policy Briefs, newsletter) and case studies of family strengthening programs in practice, as well as links to a range of family-related resources.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation
A UK based philanthropic organisation that funds a large research and development program in the UK relating to social problems and social needs. They have an extensive range of publications, such as reports and research briefings, on issues such as income and poverty, housing and communities and equality, diversity and social exclusion.
Making Research Count
A research dissemination network focusing upon social work and social care research. Making Research Count produces 'Research and Practice' briefings that provide evidence-based, accessible information which is especially relevant to practitioners who work with children and families.
National Evaluation of Sure Start (NESS)
Studies the effectiveness of all Sure Start Programs in England. The NESS site provides access to a range of resources emerging from the evaluation, relating to the implementation, impact and evaluation of services for vulnerable children and families, that are of relevance to policy-makers and practitioners in an Australian setting.
Prevention Action
An online news publication that reports upon innovation and effectiveness in programs that seek to improve children’s health and development. Prevention Action reports upon the findings from relevant international research and evaluation projects in a concise, easy-to-read format.
Research in Practice: Supporting evidence informed practice with children and families
Research in Practice is a research implementation project in the UK. They promote positive outcomes for children and young people through the use of research evidence. A useful page on their site is ‘What Works for Troubled Children and Young People’ which provides access to information about effective ways of responding to the needs of children experiencing issues such as emotional and related symptoms and peer relationship problems.
Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
Established by the UK Government in 2001 to improve social care services for adults and children in the United Kingdom. They achieve this by identifying good practice and helping to embed it in everyday social care provision. Resources, publications, e-learning tools and practice guides all available.
UK Evaluation Society
An organisation that exists to promote and improve the theory, practice, understanding and utilisation of evaluation and its contribution to public knowledge. The website provides links to an extensive list of evaluation resources including toolkits and evaluation guides.
What Works for Children
A site for practitioners working with children in child public health and social care and interested in finding out about evidence from research. The resources section provides a range of evidence-based resources for practitioners.
USA
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (USA) - Helping vulnerable kids and families succeed
The Knowledge Center aims to provide advocates, policymakers, practitioners, the media, researchers, and community members with a range of Foundation resources. These resources capture the experience and learning of the Foundation which aims to improve outcomes for vulnerable children, youth, families, and communities in the USA.
The Casey Foundation also provides direct services for children with the goal of demonstrating how high quality, cost-effective foster care and family and youth services can contribute to improved permanence, safety, and well-being for vulnerable children.
California Evidence Based Clearinghouse for Children Welfare (CEBC)
Provides information about selected “child welfare related” programs. One feature of the CEBC is its list of Screening and Assessment tools which provides information about assessment tools, such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
Centre on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
Promotes the importance of social and emotional development for children aged 0-5. CSEFEL provides access to information on research and evidence-based practices that can be used by practitioners working in the field of early childhood to support young children's social and emotional development.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
A service provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services providing access to a range of resources and publications relating to the safety and wellbeing of children and families. Information family-centered practice, preventing child abuse and neglect and supporting and preserving families.
Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative (ECAP)
Provides links to a range of research projects that concern the education, care and parenting of young children.
Family Strengthening Policy Center
Promotes family policy that contributes to family economic and social empowerment. They produce policy briefs on a wide range of topics including Family-Centred Community Building and Father Involvement Programs.
Social Programs that Work
This site seeks to identify those social interventions shown in rigorous studies to produce sizable, sustained benefits to participants and/or society. It includes social interventions relating to early childhood, education and youth development.
Institute of Education Sciences (ies) What works clearinghouse
WWC issues a range of publications designed to assist educators of children at all stages of their education. In early childhood education, publications include intervention reports that evaluate research on curricula and instructional strategies for 3-5 year old children, and also specifically for those with disabilities. Practice guides provide practical recommendations for educators.