Childhood Development Initiative

1
Childhood Development Initiative

• Presentation to Joint Policing Committee

Marian Quinn, CEO, CDI May 2009
2
Background

• A community led initiative
• Strategy developed by an inter-agency Consortium
  of 23 people
• Jointly funded by OMC and AP 15m over 5 years.
• Funding requirements
• That all services are manualised
• That each service is scientifically evaluated.

3
Service Overview

• Early Years Childcare and Education
• After schools programme to promote literacy
• After schools programme to promote pro-social
  behaviour
• Healthy Schools Programme
• Community Safety Initiative
• Quality Enhancement Programme.

4
Underpinning Principles

• Informed by and in consultation with those living
  and working in West Tallaght
• That the project will enhance inter-agency
  relationships and promote integration
• That the learning will inform future policy,
  curriculum development and practitioner supports
• That services will continue beyond the life of
  the project
• That services will be rigorously evaluated

5
Community Safety Initiative, (CSI)

• Improved safety and pro-social behaviour across
  Tallaght West
• Improved community awareness and participation in
  local activities and services
• Wide community engagement in maintaining a safe
  environment.

6
Progress to date

• Community Safety Research carried out
• Findings agreed with community and issues
  prioritised
• Independent Chair recruited
• Steering Committee established with broad
  representation from key agencies and the
  community
• Youth Forum agreed with TYS
• High profile seminars e.g. John Lonergan and
  PSNI.

7
Pilot Sites

• Increase community engagement through local
  activities, cleanups etc
• Improve relationships between residents and
  service providers e.g. football match
• Identify local issues to be addressed in a
  community agreement
• Residents already reporting improved perception
  of safety due to greater communication.

8
Future Targets

• Develop and implement a Community Agreement on
  each of the pilot sites
• Agree action plan with Steering Committee

9
CSI Evaluation

• Child and Family Research Centre (NUIG)
• Outcomes and process evaluation
• Community safety and development, regeneration,
  healthy urban living, and partnership models of
  working
• State of play.