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The Best Start sites work with the following partners and programs:

Australian Breastfeeding Association

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is a voluntary organisation of people interested in the promotion and protection of breastfeeding. ABA have been funded to implement peer support projects in 4 local government areas across the State to target and promote breastfeeding in Culturally and Linguistically (CALD) and Aboriginal communities in Victoria.

Find out more about the Australian Breastfeeding Association

Kids - 'Go for your life'

Kids - 'Go for your life' is a statewide initiative funded by the State Government and managed by Diabetes Australia Vic and The Cancer Council Victoria. Kids - 'Go for your life' supports children's settings in creating healthier environments where children can enjoy healthy eating and physical activity every day.

Find out more about Kids - 'Go for your life'

Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL)

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL) was established in 1984. A peak Aboriginal based and community controlled organisation that covers metropolitan Melbourne as well as regional areas throughout Victoria. VACSAL supports and manages a number of community programs as well as providing strategic advice to Aboriginal Organisations and Government bodies on issues impacting on Aboriginal people. The organisation is seen as key advocate that has representation on over 85 local, regional and state reference/advisory committees.
VACSAL works from the following philosophical base in all of its advocacy work and service provision that of:

• Community and individual choices
• Self-determination and managing change
• Strengthening identity
• Strengthening Culture
• Strengthening families

VACSAL's current programs are: Juvenile Justice (Bert Williams Centre, Bert Williams Hostel, Youth Affairs), Aboriginal Early Years (Aboriginal Best Start, Aboriginal Signposts project), Family & Support Services (Family Violence, Indigenous Men's Resource & Advisory Service, VACSAL Aboriginal Gambling Awareness Services, problem gambling strategy), Training (Cultural Awareness training, Staff Development, Organisation planning), Justice (Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, Community Development, Brokerage)

VACSAL have been funded to support the development of the Aboriginal Best Start project sites. In addition, they are working with the generic Best Start sites to support their work with Aboriginal communities.

The Koori Maternity Services Program

The Koori Maternity Strategy is a statewide program aimed at improving the birthing experiences and birthing outcomes experienced by Koori women in Victoria. The Koori Maternity Strategy provides culturally appropriate care and support to Koori women during pregnancy, birth and in the immediate postnatal period. This program is provided through a partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and Victorian Aboriginal Cooperatives throughout Victoria.

Find out more about Koori Maternity Services Program

In Home Support for Aboriginal Families

This initiative seeks to build on the service delivery strengths implemented through Koori Maternity Services as children move through infancy into the next stages of early childhood up to three years of age. It provides an opportunity to take an integrated approach to optimising outcomes for all indigenous mothers and young children. It builds on a universal platform, but still delivers additional supports where they are both most needed and most likely to be effective.

The In Home Support initiative creates a service model aimed at producing positive health, development, learning, safety and wellbeing outcomes for children, parents and the wider Aboriginal community while allowing flexibility for local Aboriginal Cooperatives to respond to current and emerging community requirements.

Find out more about the In Home Support initiative

Koorie Early Childhood Education Program (KECEP)

This program works with Koorie communities and organisations to support Koorie children and their families to access and participate in kindergarten. The program works within kindergartens to promote the understanding of Koorie culture. The program is implemented in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc (VAEAI).

Find out more about the Koorie Early Childhood Education Program

Kidsafe

Kidsafe, the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, is an independent, non-profit, non-government charitable foundation dedicated to the prevention of unintentional death and injury to children. Kidsafe conducts injury prevention programs, media campaigns, provides information, develops educational resources and initiates special programs to raise awareness of child safety issues and injury prevention throughout the community.

Read about the Supported Parent Group and Playgroup Initiative partners

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