Supporting Students Following the Northern Rivers Floods. A Partnership Between Mackillop Seasons and NSW Education
Tracks
Bluewater II - In-Person
| Thursday, November 7, 2024 |
| 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM |
| Bluewater II |
Overview
Lauren Brincat JP, Child Wellbeing and Mental Health Services, NSW Department of Education and Godelieve Hofman-Verkuyl, Mackillop Seasons
Speaker
Godelieve Hofman-Verkuyl
Natural Disaster Response Lead
Mackillop Seasons
Supporting Students Following the Northern Rivers Floods. A Partnership Between Mackillop Seasons and NSW Education
Abstract
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 highlight the impact of the small group approach in a scalable project replicated across schools, and across the region.
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.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The importance of a proactive, community-driven approach to disaster response, ensuring timely support for children and young people.
2. The value of tailored support programs, like Stormbirds, in providing a safe and supportive environment and essential resilience skills for child and adolescent recovery.
3. The critical role of a local youth workforce, such as 'Student Support Officers,' in successfully implementing programs and leveraging community expertise in disaster recovery for young individuals.
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 highlight the impact of the small group approach in a scalable project replicated across schools, and across the region.
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.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The importance of a proactive, community-driven approach to disaster response, ensuring timely support for children and young people.
2. The value of tailored support programs, like Stormbirds, in providing a safe and supportive environment and essential resilience skills for child and adolescent recovery.
3. The critical role of a local youth workforce, such as 'Student Support Officers,' in successfully implementing programs and leveraging community expertise in disaster recovery for young individuals.
Biography
Godelieve leads the Natural Disaster Response team at Mackillop Seasons, overseeing a dedicated group of Community Resilience Officers who offer crucial on-the-ground support to communities affected by disasters. Her role involves enhancing local recovery capabilities, fostering preparedness, and ensuring sustainable community resilience. With a robust background in community and social services, Godelieve has dedicated her career to supporting families, children, and youth through psychoeducation, case management, and coaching. Her passion lies in promoting the well-being of children, young adults, and communities, with a particular focus on climate disaster recovery, adaptation, and preparedness initiatives.
Ms Lauren Brincat JP
Psychology and Wellbeing Coordinator
Child Wellbeing and Mental Health Services, NSW Education
Supporting Students Following the Northern Rivers Floods. A Partnership Between Mackillop Seasons and NSW Education
Abstract
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 highlight the impact of the small group approach in a scalable project replicated across schools, and across the region.
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.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The importance of a proactive, community-driven approach to disaster response, ensuring timely support for children and young people.
2. The value of tailored support programs, like Stormbirds, in providing a safe and supportive environment and essential resilience skills for child and adolescent recovery.
3. The critical role of a local youth workforce, such as 'Student Support Officers,' in successfully implementing programs and leveraging community expertise in disaster recovery for young individuals.
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 highlight the impact of the small group approach in a scalable project replicated across schools, and across the region.
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.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The importance of a proactive, community-driven approach to disaster response, ensuring timely support for children and young people.
2. The value of tailored support programs, like Stormbirds, in providing a safe and supportive environment and essential resilience skills for child and adolescent recovery.
3. The critical role of a local youth workforce, such as 'Student Support Officers,' in successfully implementing programs and leveraging community expertise in disaster recovery for young individuals.
Biography
As an accredited teacher and registered psychologist with a background in suicidology, Lauren leads the coordination of mental health initiatives and postvention services for public schools in the Rural North of New South Wales. She is dedicated to providing evidence-informed training for the school-based wellbeing workforce and interested in ensuring that the voices of students are actively included in recovery efforts following natural disasters. Lauren is President of the School Counselling and Psychology Association of New South Wales and enjoys spending time in nature with her two energetic boys.
