Who is holding the baby?

Please join us for the Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) and Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMH) SA branch forum on Who is holding the baby?

As Infant Mental Health Awareness Week approaches (9-15 June) this year’s theme is ‘Who is holding the baby?’. This forum seeks to promote and connect innovations in SA programs for infants and young children.

OUR SPEAKERS

Kathy Moar, Clinical Psychologist and AAIMH SA branch representative

An introduction to the AAIMH SA branch

Kathy is a clinical psychologist and public health graduate whose practice focuses on assessment, diagnosis, support and intervention services for infants, children, adolescents, adults and families. Her career has included work across health, university, non-government and private practice settings. Kathy’s experience and skills in clinical and inter-disciplinary child and family psychology are grounded within a relationship-based and ecological framework, acknowledging the importance of connected systems to support young people.

Hon. Mira El Dannawi, MLC

An insight into the interplay of family dynamic (caregivers’ emotional responsiveness), culture, social environment, and policies on infant mental health

The first 5 years of life are fundamental for children’s health and positive development, as more than 90% of their brain development occurs during this time. Supporting infant’s mental health, requires us to look at what other factors influence their social and emotional wellbeing during those critical years. The theme for this year Infant Mental Health Awareness week is “Who’s holding the baby” invites us to reflect on the multiple factors that contribute to infants’ mental health within the Microsystem (family, friends, Neighbours, carers) and the Macrosystem (Social and cultural values and political systems). This short presentation aims to provide an insight to the Interplay of these various elements and draw on some of my observation from the Early childhood setting.

Mira El Dannawi is a Labor member of the Legislative Council of the South Australian Parliament, and the first person of Muslim faith to serve in the South Australian Parliament. She was born in Lebanon and moved to Australia in 2007 at age 23 and has lived in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs since migrating. She speaks Arabic, French and English and holds a certificate III and diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. In addition to her role as a member of the Legislative Council, she is currently studying a degree in Psychology. Prior to entering state politics, Mira worked in Early Childhood Education for 13 years as an Educator and later as Assistant Director, then as Acting Director of Modbury Community Childcare Centre. She is a member of the United Workers Union, starting as a delegate for her workplace, she also served as Vice President of the United Voice SA Branch and worked as an organiser for UWU. She advocated fiercely at both a state and national level for better working conditions in the early learning sector and worked to raise awareness for the importance of this vital service. She is a passionate advocate for children, disadvantaged groups, and multicultural communities in South Australia. Since She was appointed to the south Australian legislative Council on 17 October 2023, Mira served on multiple parliamentary committees such as Social development, Gig economy, Return to work, Grocery Pricing, Joint Committee on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Veterinarians in South Australia and the Children and young people (Safety and Support) Bill.

Dr Jo Fildes, Assistant Director, Evidence and Analytics, Office for Early Childhood Development

How does the Office for Early Childhood Development support our Youngest South Australians?

What does the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD) do to support infant mental health? The OECD has a number of reforms impacting early childhood, but which ones impact the relationships, contexts and supports for children aged 0-3? Dr Jo Fildes will unpack what the OECD reforms will mean for the mental health of our youngest South Australians.

Dr Jo Fildes is the Assistant Director of Evidence and Analytics at the Office for Early Childhood Development. She holds a PhD in social policy and has over 20 years of experience in Australia. Jo has worked in university, non-governmental, and government sectors, including roles such as Manager of Assurance and Governance at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and Impact and Evaluation Manager at Mission Australia. A qualified nurse practitioner, she has also conducted research on children's wellbeing, homelessness, and disability. In her current role, she leads efforts in early childhood reform.

Julia Jones, Deputy Director, Raising Literacy Australia

Words Grow Minds: empowering families, connecting communities

Building on Words Grow Minds' success, we’re partnering with community leaders and families from Adelaide Women’s Prison, Refugee Health, Light Regional Council, and First Nations communities to tailor the campaign messaging, design, and delivery to meet families where they are. We'll showcase community-led initiatives that strengthen connections and create lasting change.

Julia Jones is Deputy Director at not-for-profit Raising Literacy Australia, where she drives early language and literacy initiatives to support children’s neurodevelopment. She brings extensive experience in early childhood education, having owned and managed a children’s centre and worked directly with children and families in diverse settings across Australia and overseas. As a qualified early childhood professional and counsellor, Julia is dedicated to deepening her understanding of early neurodevelopment and parent-child relationships, with a particular interest in oral language skills. She is passionate about turning research into practical strategies that empower families to support their children’s early learning and development.

Samantha Welke, Inklings Program Manager, Office for Autism, Department of the Premier and Cabinet

What is your Baby Telling You? Supporting caregivers in babies’ communication - The South Australian Inklings Pilot Program

A key recommendation of the 2022 Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care is increased access to early developmental supports; and current data indicates that developmental vulnerabilities in South Australian children at aged five are increasing (AEDC, 2024). The SA Government is piloting the new Inklings program for up to 1300 infants to June 2027. Inklings is an evidenced-based, early intervention program for babies aged 6-18 months who are showing differences in their social and emotional development. The program has been proven to support developmental gains for baby and high confidence levels for caregivers, through a strengths-based, narrative approach to recognising and responding to baby’s cues and communication style.

Samantha Welke is the program manager for the SA Inklings pilot program, based in the SA government’s Office for Autism. Samantha’s professional background commenced in health promotion and community health nursing, prior to further studies leading to policy, project and program management roles. These focussed upon quality, consumer-led service development and outcome evaluations. Highlights include many years working with regional and remote Aboriginal communities, supporting implementation of the recommendations of the 2016 Child Protection Systems Royal Commission, leading the State-wide rheumatic heart disease strategy and program, and undertaking research and service development in acute-primary integrated care pathways.

OUR CHAIR

Brad Morgan, Director, Emerging Minds

Brad Morgan is the Director of Emerging Minds, a national non-profit organisation based in Adelaide that aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Australian infants, children, young people and their families. His work covers a wide range of areas, including workforce development, digital health, trauma and development, family mental health, disasters and climate change, health promotion, and health policy. Brad has a diverse professional background that spans occupational therapy, public health, child development, and mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention. He has previously worked on workforce development and served as the Director of the COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) national initiative. Brad has also held roles in Country Health SA and is an Ambassador for Healthy Development Adelaide.

Other event information:

Networking and light refreshments will follow the session from 7.00pm.

This is a public forum and also open to the community, everyone is welcome to attend.