The First 1000 Days program empowers vulnerable pregnant women and families facing challenges and adversity by providing wraparound, evidence-based support during the critical early years of a child’s life. By fostering secure attachments, building parenting confidence, and addressing barriers such as poverty, homelessness, mental health, and family violence, the program lays the foundation for lifelong ...
Caroline Chisholm Society
First 1000 Days
GOAL
$150,000
Australia > VIC > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Individual/family services and support
- Social inclusion and justice
Target Population
- Women and girls
- Early years (0-5)
Caroline Chisholm Society
The Caroline Chisholm Society has provided crucial services for over fifty years to families from pregnancy through the early years of a child’s education. As a registered and accredited community service organisation, the Caroline Chisholm Society specialises in nurturing the bond between mothers and their children, ensuring that families are equipped to create safe and loving environments for the most critical stages of early development.
The Caroline Chisholm Society’s purpose is to support women in their pregnancy and early parenting in order to create safe and nurturing environments for infants and young children. In doing so, we work with the whole family to support secure attachment, optimise child outcomes through parenting interventions, and seek to prevent and alleviate the impact that poverty, homelessness, mental health and family violence have on parent and child wellbeing.
Project Summary
The First 1000 Days program empowers vulnerable pregnant women and families facing challenges and adversity by providing wraparound, evidence-based support during the critical early years of a child’s life.
By fostering secure attachments, building parenting confidence, and addressing barriers such as poverty, homelessness, mental health, and family violence, the program lays the foundation for lifelong wellbeing and development.
Investing in addressing these stressors can divert child protection involvement and work holistically with families to build secure attachments and promote positive parenting practices. Philanthropic investment in this initiative enables transformational change where it matters most – at the very beginning.
Project Outcomes
Vulnerable pregnant women and their families will gain parenting support, mental health care, and housing stability. Infants benefit from safer, more nurturing environments, improving early development. The program reduces child protection involvement and builds stronger, more resilient families and communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change across generations.
Parenting education and coaching tailored to individual needs via our evidence-based parenting programs
Mental health and wellbeing support for mothers and caregivers through access to our Perinatal Mental Health practitioner
Housing and financial assistance referrals via our Specialist Housing Support practitioner
Family violence intervention and safety planning
Connection to community resources and peer support networks
Services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with local health, social service, and community partners. The program is culturally responsive and trauma-informed, ensuring accessibility and safety for all participants.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $300,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flora and Frank Charitable Trust | $150,000 |
| Funding Gap | $150,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 x FTE | $87,000 |
| Program Management (evaluation, training and donor stewardship) | $33,000 |
| Travel | $10,000 |
| Client brokerage | $10,000 |
| Perinatal Mental Health and Housing support | $10,000 |
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