World leading child health research project comes to the Gannawarra

Published on 21 July 2021

Families of children aged between 0-6 months and 2-2.5 years of age are encouraged to participate in world leading research which will help shape the future of services across Gannawarra now and in the future.

Gannawarra Shire Council is one of three Northern Victorian municipalities participating in the world leading life course research Comprehensive Monitoring project.

The Comprehensive Monitoring System is an exciting project taking place in Buloke, Loddon, and Gannawarra Shires during 2021. It’s a set of eight surveys given to children and young people every three years from birth to 21 years of age. The surveys collect information about health and wellbeing and report the information back to local communities.

Being able to access and use relevant local data is crucial for communities to understand how their children, young people and families are faring, and to work out whether effective community programs and supports are in place to care for people as they are growing up. Comprehensive Monitoring will help ensure your community can care for people across the whole life course.

“The survey is part of the Comprehensive Monitoring System, which aims to build and strengthen family and community resources to better support the wellbeing of children, families and communities,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

“Families attending their routine Maternal and Child Health visit will be offered to complete the survey, which has been successfully trialled several years ago in our communities.”

We encourage families to participate in the 10-minute online surveys to help shape the future services across the municipality.

If you have a child aged 0-6 months, you can participate in the survey by heading to https://redcap.link/infant

If you have a child aged 2-2.5 years you can participate in the survey by heading to https://redcap.link/toddler

“If you are worried about any of the questions, the Maternal Child Health nurse administering this survey will be available to discuss your concerns and refer you to support services should you require them,” Mr O’Reilly said.

For more information about Gannawarra Shire’s Children’s Services, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/children