About us
About us
Embedded Files
Now&Next™ is a game changer in future planning
Externally Evaluated
Externally Evaluated
The evaluation covered 15 Now and Next groups run between January 2017 to March 2018 that included 154 families. It looked at whether the program was delivered as intended if it was reaching the target groups and the participants’ experience. It also assessed participant outcomes: if they achieved their short-term goals, became empowered and had an increased sense of wellbeing and positivity. Data was collected via online surveys at the beginning and end of the program and during the program by the peer facilitators.
We needed the big picture, so we contacted the Centre of Community Child Health at Murdoch Children’s Institute to do a process and outcomes evaluation of Now and Next. The institute is the largest dedicated to child health research in Australia and one of the top five in the world. A Reference Group and Internal working group helped provide guidance and feedback to the evaluation. Among the former were representatives from the Department of Premier and Cabinet; Aging Disability and Home Care; Early Childhood Intervention Australia NSW/ACT; the National Disability Insurance Agency; and Family Advocacy NSW. Click here for the Executive Summary of the results and here to download the full report.
Explaining our Theory of Change
Now and Next is a capacity building initiative for families of young children with a disability or developmental delay and co-designed with them. This Theory of Change visual explains the practical work we have undertaken towards achieving this goal as well as the research we are building.
We started our work in 2015 at the bottom left of the visual by reviewing our evidence base which we list here. Then each theme builds as we reach the top where we demonstrate the outcomes for our Theory of Change.
We have an evaluation framework which includes standardised tools that measure the impact of our work. We are gradually building data for each level and you can follow our progress by exploring this site.
This family capacity building initiative works on 3 groups of people as shown in the illustration above as each has a part to play in our ultimate outcome which is building family capability through participation.
With participants who do the Now and Next program to achieve goals for their child, family or self [Right column]
With families who graduate and go on to train as Peer Workers [Mid column]
With professionals who support families' will to lead the teams which will support achieving their goals for their child and family [Left column]
Our research follows each of these three groups of people as they engage, train and expand their knowledge and become part of collective communities.
Click here for a list of our publications/presentations organised within our Theory of Change categories!
Dr. Annick Janson, Research and Innovation Director, describes our theory of change - in a special context.
Overview of Now and Next
Overview of Now and Next
Now and Next is a unique, peer-led group program for families of young children who have developmental delays or disabilities. Over recent years, this program has evolved to become a cornerstone of the early childhood intervention (ECI) service delivery for one ECI provider, Plumtree, located in Inner West Sydney, Australia and is now in New Zealand. Now and Next is grounded in Positive Psychology and Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) theories, but it also utilises the demonstrated benefits of gamification and mindfulness, and builds on best practice research into family-centred practice. Now and Next is the first totally ‘by families, for families’ program of its kind to be offered in Australia and worldwide. By challenging the traditional ‘grief’ mindset often associated with disability, and replacing grief with the concept of overwhelm and the promise of growth, Now and Next supports families to engage in authentic, creative visioning for their disabled child and for themselves.
Since its inception in 2015, over 400 families have participated in Now and Next. It was initially led by both peer family facilitators and professionals, and is now led solely by peer facilitators. Families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds total 48% of the participants. Fathers’ engagement range between a quarter to half participants, depending on the activities organised. Groups have been run in Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic and Chinese. The program begins with a visioning session, followed by an 8 week, 2.5 hour per week, or a 4 full day protocol. Program elements are aimed at progressing children’s goals by engaging their families. Through interactive group work, the program supports families to vision, plan, set goals, and develop goals into action, in the context of a peer led environment.
Written by Dr. Melanie Heyworth. Please click Centre for Welfare Reform for the full document.
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