The NSW Government has announced $10.9 million in funding towards the Healthy Deadly Kids program (HDK) to enhance school attendance levels in Aboriginal communities across the State. The official announcement happened today at AH&MRC Training Institute in Little Bay today.
In 2019, Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service designed and piloted this Indigenous community program as a way to promote healthy living education, aimed at primary school aged children from Early Stage 1 – Stage 3 that focuses on teaching a holistic view of health and wellbeing.
“I would like to acknowledge Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service who established HDK as a school-based health program. Because of their initiative we now can expand this much needed program across many other areas and schools”. CEO of AH&MRC Robert Skeen explains.
The additional funding will support partnerships between Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and will help AH&MRC deliver it online and make it available to all Australian kids across all local schools.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said this funding would empower and drive tangible change for Aboriginal communities across NSW in school attendance rates
“The NSW Government is committed to investing in outcomes, designed and delivered by Aboriginal people for all Aboriginal people and communities to prosper across our State,” Mr Franklin said.
“This funding will support an Aboriginal-led initiative aiming to enhance school attendance in Aboriginal communities whilst empowering and educating the younger generation to make positive changes around healthy eating and lifestyle choices.
“This investment, which builds on the historic $716 million announced in the 2022/23 State Budget, will further shift the dial on Closing the Gap and deliver positive outcomes for Aboriginal people across NSW.”
CEO of AH&MRC Robert Skeen said this additional funding would allow the program to make a significant impact in Aboriginal communities across the State.
“The AH&MRC is excited to work with our members to deliver comprehensive school-based health programs throughout NSW. We would like to thank the NSW Government for their ongoing support in addressing the disparities in Aboriginal health,” Mr Skeen said.
“The program has already had a positive impact, with students who have lived through, and are still living in an intergenerational trauma cycle who have aspirations for their future.”
The program will be rolled out in 14 priority locations across the state including Broken Hill and Wellington and will benefit over 2000 children.
Official Media Release
