Adapting an Existing Service to Support a Rural Setting
Tracks
Room - Stanley C
| Friday, November 10, 2023 |
| 9:45 AM - 10:05 AM |
Overview
Erin Butler and Natalie Willson, Kidsxpress Ltd
Speaker
Ms Erin Butler
Program Manager: Snowy Valleys
KidsXpress Ltd
Adapting an Existing Service to Support a Rural Setting
Abstract
People living in rural and remote areas of Australia face challenges that are distinct from those living in urban settings. Experiences of natural disaster are felt more acutely and the impact of relative isolation means either a reduced number of support services are available or those in need must travel great distances to engage with them.
Whilst access barriers do challenge our rural communities, we know these communities are typically equipped with greater levels of social engagement, civic participation and community centered support (Ziersch et al, 2009).
KidsXpress (est. 2005) is a trauma informed school partnership service with therapy and consulting teams. It has established itself in the Snowy Valleys (NSW) as a long-term response to the 2019-2020 Black Summer bush fire season. The clinical staff are residents of the local area.
The service provides an accredited (AIFS, 2015) multi layered intervention comprising: Expressive therapy for children; trauma informed consulting (coaching) for school staff; and attachment & trauma informed training for parents and caregivers. This model responds to the child and their caregiving environment simultaneously.
Positioning the service within the community has been a key learning of this translocation from a metropolitan region with 18 years' experience to a rural setting for the first time.
The community boundaries are different, the community considerations are different, and the community capacity is different, too. This presentation offers KidsXpress' learnings from this urban to rural translation not as advice, but for other services to observe.
We posit that for the rural setting, our service has needed to adapt from being a school partnership program delivered in community to a community partnership program delivered in schools. Positioning the community accurately in the center leverages the assets and strengths of the rural community for a sustainable response.
Whilst access barriers do challenge our rural communities, we know these communities are typically equipped with greater levels of social engagement, civic participation and community centered support (Ziersch et al, 2009).
KidsXpress (est. 2005) is a trauma informed school partnership service with therapy and consulting teams. It has established itself in the Snowy Valleys (NSW) as a long-term response to the 2019-2020 Black Summer bush fire season. The clinical staff are residents of the local area.
The service provides an accredited (AIFS, 2015) multi layered intervention comprising: Expressive therapy for children; trauma informed consulting (coaching) for school staff; and attachment & trauma informed training for parents and caregivers. This model responds to the child and their caregiving environment simultaneously.
Positioning the service within the community has been a key learning of this translocation from a metropolitan region with 18 years' experience to a rural setting for the first time.
The community boundaries are different, the community considerations are different, and the community capacity is different, too. This presentation offers KidsXpress' learnings from this urban to rural translation not as advice, but for other services to observe.
We posit that for the rural setting, our service has needed to adapt from being a school partnership program delivered in community to a community partnership program delivered in schools. Positioning the community accurately in the center leverages the assets and strengths of the rural community for a sustainable response.
Biography
Erin Butler is a Play Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, and published researcher specialising in working with children and families impacted by trauma. With a background in early childhood and primary school education, Erin has trained and worked in Australia and the UK, amassing a professional career that positions her as a forefront practitioner in building trauma informed education environments. Erin is currently based in rural NSW and works with KidsXpress, as the Snowy Valleys Program Manager. Erin's role focuses on holistic support of children and their caregiving environments through therapy and trauma informed consultancy, which includes supporting and enhancing the capacity of both home and school settings.
Natalie Willson
Practice Support
KidsXpress
Adapting an Existing Service to Support a Rural Setting
Abstract
People living in rural and remote areas of Australia face challenges that are distinct from those living in urban settings. Experiences of natural disaster are felt more acutely and the impact of relative isolation means either a reduced number of support services are available or those in need must travel great distances to engage with them.
Whilst access barriers do challenge our rural communities, we know these communities are typically equipped with greater levels of social engagement, civic participation and community centered support (Ziersch et al, 2009).
KidsXpress (est. 2005) is a trauma informed school partnership service with therapy and consulting teams. It has established itself in the Snowy Valleys (NSW) as a long-term response to the 2019-2020 Black Summer bush fire season. The clinical staff are residents of the local area.
The service provides an accredited (AIFS, 2015) multi layered intervention comprising: Expressive therapy for children; trauma informed consulting (coaching) for school staff; and attachment & trauma informed training for parents and caregivers. This model responds to the child and their caregiving environment simultaneously.
Positioning the service within the community has been a key learning of this translocation from a metropolitan region with 18 years' experience to a rural setting for the first time.
The community boundaries are different, the community considerations are different, and the community capacity is different, too. This presentation offers KidsXpress' learnings from this urban to rural translation not as advice, but for other services to observe.
We posit that for the rural setting, our service has needed to adapt from being a school partnership program delivered in community to a community partnership program delivered in schools. Positioning the community accurately in the center leverages the assets and strengths of the rural community for a sustainable response.
Whilst access barriers do challenge our rural communities, we know these communities are typically equipped with greater levels of social engagement, civic participation and community centered support (Ziersch et al, 2009).
KidsXpress (est. 2005) is a trauma informed school partnership service with therapy and consulting teams. It has established itself in the Snowy Valleys (NSW) as a long-term response to the 2019-2020 Black Summer bush fire season. The clinical staff are residents of the local area.
The service provides an accredited (AIFS, 2015) multi layered intervention comprising: Expressive therapy for children; trauma informed consulting (coaching) for school staff; and attachment & trauma informed training for parents and caregivers. This model responds to the child and their caregiving environment simultaneously.
Positioning the service within the community has been a key learning of this translocation from a metropolitan region with 18 years' experience to a rural setting for the first time.
The community boundaries are different, the community considerations are different, and the community capacity is different, too. This presentation offers KidsXpress' learnings from this urban to rural translation not as advice, but for other services to observe.
We posit that for the rural setting, our service has needed to adapt from being a school partnership program delivered in community to a community partnership program delivered in schools. Positioning the community accurately in the center leverages the assets and strengths of the rural community for a sustainable response.
Biography
Natalie Willson is a Registered Music Therapist bringing over 20 years’ experience to her role within the Practice Support Team at KidsXpress. Forming part of the start-up team when KidsXpress opened its doors in 2006, Natalie has worked extensively alongside other creative arts therapists supporting a broad range of children through a transdisciplinary model. Natalie’s role focuses on supporting the programs teams across both urban and rural settings. She is most passionate about how science, the creative arts, and clinical practice can combine to support meaningful connections for children and their caregiving networks.
