NSW Premier, Ms Gladys Berejiklian, and Minister for Mental Health, Ms Tanya Davies, met with local health workers and principals from the two Central Coast schools to lead the region’s delivery of the ‘Getting on Track in Time’ Program (Got It) in Gosford’s Gateway Centre on March 6.
Got It is an early intervention program aimed at helping children with disruptive behaviour disorders, and $11 million in funding has been thrown behind the program’s implementation on the Central Coast.
“This program has significantly helped children, aged 5-8, who have been experiencing behaviour difficulties,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Now it will be benefiting children on the Central Coast, as well as families, teachers and staff, who’ll be given the necessary skills and support,” she said.
Ms Davies said the NSW Government introduced the Got It pilot five years ago to help children from Kindergarten to Grade 2 with emerging behaviour problems.
“While conduct disorder is the most common childhood mental disorder, with the greatest long-term costs to the individual, families and society, it also responds well to intervention,” Ms Davies said.
“The Got It pilot has delivered real results, helping both children and their families in one of the most important developmental phases,” she added.
Under the NSW Mental Health Reform, specialist mental health services in the community are being enhanced, including a state wide roll-out of the Got It program.
Got It is delivered over two school terms with clinicians working with parents/carers and the school, to identify children who could benefit from early intervention.
Children identified as at risk of developing further problems with emotions and behaviour attend a 10 week ‘Exploring Together’ group, with a parent or carer, while the whole school benefits from the universal ‘Fun Friends’ program delivered by teachers throughout the year.
North Lakes and Toukley Public Schools will be the flagship schools in the region to trial Got It, with six more to be announced at a later date.
Media conference,
Mar 6, 2017
Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Premier
Tanya Davies, Minister for Mental Health
Media release,
Mar 6, 2017
Casey Virgin, Central Coast Local Health District
Dilon Luke, Journalist