In early 2016, Longford County Childcare Committee and Westmeath County Childcare Committee were successfully granted funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) for Local Area Co-ordination of Disability Services. This project is one of seven funded under measure 5 of the DAF nationally and is an 18 month project until June 2017. We now have a Coordinator in post in both counties located in each County Childcare Committee office.
The project through community development practice and a consortium approach aims to delivery two key outcomes. Local information that will be collated, updated and disseminated by a central source- Directory of Services for families of children and young people with a disability and embed a Transitional Model to support Children and Young People with access and participation to Pre School/ National School/ Secondary/ Third Level and Youth Clubs. The approach adopted will build on the interagency success of the NEYAI project (Tús Nua) and the key outcomes will be aligned to national policy framework for children and young people (2014-2020) Better Outcomes Brighter Futures. For the early years sector this approach embraces numerous principles of both National Frameworks, Síolta and Aistear.
LACs work with family members and professionals involved in supporting children and young people with a disability, helping them to further strengthen their caring role. LAC support is available to children and young people 0-24 years of age in Counties Longford and Westmeath.
Although a local project, we have also aligned to the National Access and Inclusion model (AIM) to Support Access to the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme for Children with a Disability. This will ensure that CPD training provided to the Early Years sector is consistent and our project is supporting the development of a National website which will house a directory of services.
For more information on the national model please see the following report http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/publications/20151118ECCEAccessSpecialNeedsReport.pdf
If you would like more information on this project please contact either Longford or Westmeath County Childcare Committee.
Links to Síolta |
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| Standard 1 | The Rights of the Child |
| Standard 2 | Environments |
| Standard 3 | Parents & Families |
| Standard 4 | Consultations |
| Standard 5 | Interactions |
| Standard 6 | Play |
| Standard 7 | Curriculum |
| Standard 8 | Planning & Evaluation |
| Standard 9 | Health & Welfare |
| Standard 10 | Organisation |
| Standard 11 | Professional Practice |
| Standard 12 | Communication |
| Standard 13 | Transitions |
| Standard 14 | Identity & Belonging |
| Standard 15 | Legislation & Regulation |
| Standard 16 | Community Involvement |
