THE FUTURE: The BayTrust is researching how to best support the region's children and engage with youth. PHOTO/FILE
The best ways to support the first 1000 days of children's lives and engage with youth in Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty is the subject of a major research project in the region. We look at what it as uncovered so far.
An overview of the research
The research identifies opportunities for BayTrust to invest strategically for the region's future.
Community development advisor Terri Eggleton said the trust wanted to make sure the $2 million of grants invested in community initiatives each year went where they could "have the greatest impact to help us build, strengthen and enhance our region's communities".
"Our strategic plan identified the first 1000 days and youth engagement as focus areas where investment by the trust could make a difference," she said.
"What we needed was quality information on where investment would have the biggest social impact."
The research was commissioned by the trust, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and the Community Response Forum, and carried out by the Centre for Social Impact.
It combines local knowledge of what is happening for children and youth in the region with an expert review of national and international research on successful first 1000 days and youth engagement initiatives.
Ms Eggleton said there were many community leaders and organisations in the region who were doing great work with families and young people.
"They were invited to contribute to the project and we were delighted with the very enthusiastic response."
A snapshot of the region
Census 2013 data shows 21,588 children under 5, and 36,738 youth aged 15 to 24, live in the BayTrust geographic area. The area is from Waihi Beach in the north, Katikati in the west, Turangi in the south, and Cape Runway in the east, taking in Rotorua, Taupo, Whakatane and Tauranga.
Rotorua has the highest number of children and young people in the region, with about half being Maori.
The area includes a higher proportion of high deprivation areas and a lower proportion of low deprivation areas than there is nationally.
The median income for Maori in the BayTrust area is lower than the national average, and the median income for all residents is lower than the national median income.
What the research identifies
- When babies grow up in impoverished, abusive, neglectful or punitive environments, they are more likely to carry a significant burden and never reach their full potential.
- Existing community workers should be upskilled on the importance of the first 1000 days, so those already engaged in vulnerable communities can widen their understanding and support the dissemination of information and education.
- Intervening with practical solutions to practical problems should be done early, such as implementing parenting programmes which provide transport of the parent and child to other programmes.
- The development of "baby friendly" environments, such as areas to feed infants and prioritised parking spaces, should be supported.
- While personal responsibility is important for youth, most of the programmes that are successful for youth take a wider approach.
The Rotorua Hui
The BayTrust and Ministry of Social Development held a community consultation hui in Rotorua last September as part of the research.
The good news, according to Hui participants
- Everything is done through the community and utilises the skills of people in the community.
- Many pilots and projects are under way with good success, including positive developments in early childhood education.
- Positive developments in youth participation are being made by the council and district health board.
- More by-youth-for-youth initiatives are being implemented. For example, Canteen's 2013 youth committee is training this year's members.
- Iwi are increasingly taking control of their future with more by-iwi-for-iwi initiatives.
Areas to improve
- "Pervasive negative perceptions of youth" is still a concern.
- The flurry of projects and pilots need to be aligned to a central purpose.
- The centralisation of services in Rotorua creates access barriers for more remote communities.
- Transport provisions for youth are needed to increase their participation in programmes.
- Greater efforts are needed to promote engagement with schools.
The wider Rotorua story
Ms Eggleton said the large Maori population of Rotorua needed to be seen as an opportunity.
"There are still some perceptions that need to change."
She said more collaboration was also needed between services.
"Practical approaches such as running programmes out of the same building so they can have the same receptionist, share vehicles and so on may be effective."
Using the same computer systems and involving youth more would be great as well, she said.
"We want youth to have a bigger say about programmes that are designed to support their futures.
"No one body has the means to make long-term change. We want as many people involved in the process as possible."
Ministry of Social Development community investment advisor Annie Ross said it would be great to get more organisations involved in the project.
"We're fortunate in Rotorua that there is already good collaboration between some services that are working for children and youth but we hope to get more organisations on board. We've essentially put down the picnic blanket and want people to come to the picnic."
What's happening next
The Trust, Ministry and Response Forum are considering how they can act on the research's recommendations.
"We have a wealth of information and insight. The challenge now is to put this into action, starting with sharing the reports with all the people and organisations in the community who contributed to this important work," Ms Eggleton said.
"We want their feedback on what the report has identified and their thoughts on priorities for action."
Further hui will be held in Rotorua and other parts of the region, involving more community organisations that work with children and youth to share their ideas about what the trust can do to support the region.