The 2022 floods in the Northern Rivers region of NSW significantly compromised community safety and wellbeing, highlighting the need for a proactive response to support children and young people on their journey to recovery. Building on their successful collaboration during the 2019/2020 bushfires, the New South Wales Department of Education and Mackillop Seasons partnered to introduce the Stormbirds program across the region.

Stormbirds is an evidence-informed small group education program explicitly designed to aid the recovery of children and young people in the aftermath of natural disasters. Typically offered 3-12 months following such events, the program empowers children and young people to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to understand and effectively respond to these experiences. It offers a safe learning environment, enabling children and young people to acknowledge their experiences, understand the normalcy of their emotional reactions, develop coping skills, make positive choices, set goals, and make decisions. The program also helps them build a peer support network, fostering a sense of belonging, and contributes to the restoration of self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-respect.

This presentation provides valuable insights from the program's implementation, offering an understanding of the training process and the pivotal roles played by the dedicated local workforce of 'Student Support Officers' recruited to address the emerging need for program implementation within public schools.

The presentation will also feature a poignant short film showcasing the program's impact at Lismore South Public School, illustrating its effectiveness and its positive influence on the wellbeing of the children.