Penhurst's 3Bridges Community has formed a partnership with Western Sydney University to study the support needs of vulnerable young mothers in the St George region.
3Bridges chief executive officer, Raj Nair announced the partnership with Western Sydney University to produce a White Paper on 3Bridges' Early Years Support Service (EYSS).
The findings generated from the pilot study will be used to shape the future delivery of the program, inform policy change in the future, and highlight the role of early intervention during this critical time.
Led by Associate Professor Danielle Tracey from Western Sydney University, the pilot study represents the first independent study of the Early Years Support Service.
"This research will help us understand the needs of vulnerable mothers and what features of the EYSS they value the most," Associate Professor Tracey said.
"This presents an opportunity to directly inform service delivery."
The Early Years Support Service is a vital early intervention program for mothers with children aged 0-3 years who are vulnerable due to isolation from family or friends, minimal support, multiple births, having ill health or disability in the family, have partners serving in the Australian Defence force, are new to the area, or experiencing post-natal depression, anxiety, or domestic violence.
Trained and supervised volunteers, including family support workers for at risk mothers, provide weekly in-home support to mothers in the Sutherland, St George, and part of the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area.
"Our Early Years Support Service has supported 2,016 families, with the assistance of approximately 2,000 volunteers to date," Mr Nair said.
"Informal evaluations have been positive, but this independent research will generate an understanding of the reported impact of the program to the lives of the vulnerable mothers and their child, as well as implications for the social investment from state and federal agencies," he said.
The White Paper will be finalised in August 2022.
To learn more about 3Bridges Early Years Support Service or any of 3Bridges services, visit www.3Bridges.org.au or contact 1300 327 434.
