Based in inner-city Sydney, Transform supports children aged 0-8 years who have been exposed to illicit drug use.
The NSW Department of Community Services estimates that up to 80% of all child abuse reports involve parental drug and alcohol issues, a significant statistic given that more than 286,000 reports were made in 2006–07. Transform works with children to improve their academic and emotional development and also works with both the child and the parent/s to improve their interaction with one another.
We work to improve child development in the following ways:
- School age children have a support worker to support their participation at school, help them achieve academic milestones and provide a link between the school and the parents
- Children 0–5 years are enrolled in preschool or childcare for at least two days a week at a centre where there is a psychologist or Child and Family Worker supporting staff
- Therapeutic groups for children aged 5–8 years are held to help the children understand and process their experiences.
We also work to improve parent-child interaction through:
- A playgroup to assist parent-child attachment and encourage parents to incorporate play into 'everyday' activities
- One-on-one work with parents on issues that may have compromised their parenting
Transform works with approximately 20–30 children a year, who may be referred through schools or other programs (eg methadone program) or could be self-referring. Children may stay in the program for 1–2 terms or longer, depending on their need.
Transform is funded through the Australian Government's National Illicit Drug Strategies initiative under the Strengthening and Supporting Families Coping with Illicit Drug Use ('Strengthening Families') measure.