Inklings is a pilot program for Western Australian parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers aged 6-18 months who are showing early developmental delays or differences.
The program is delivered by The Kids Research Institute Australia (previously Telethon Kids Institute) and funded by a grant from the NDIA. The NDIA is evaluating this pilot to understand if it could be implemented on a larger scale.
The first stage of the Inklings pilot is now complete. This includes staff recruitment, clinician training, establishing referral pathways and developing supporting systems.
The second stage has now commenced which includes working with families.
Since November 2023 over 200 families have expressed their interest in this program, and the first families are now beginning to access supports. The pilot is funded to run until November 2026 and support 700 families across Western Australia.
The Kids Research Institute are consulting community members to inform adaptation of the program for First Nations’ families.
This is being conducted over 12 months by The Kids Research Institute Australia with members from the Kulunga Aboriginal Unit.
This consultation will look at changes required to make the program more accessible and culturally safe for Aboriginal families.
It will also look at the suitability of the program for regional and remote families.
More updates are awaited.