| Early History The initiative began as The Early Intervention Coordination Project and was commissioned by the then Premier of NSW Australia, the Hon. Nick Greiner, in June 1991 to: * Identify and assess the planning and delivery patterns of Early Childhood Intervention Services * Promote a consistent family centred approach to service planning and delivery * Develop a statewide response to improve the planning, delivery and accountability of early intervention services and in particular to assist coordination * Recommend future directions for the planning and delivery of early intervention services throughout the State The project originated in practice throughout a series of pilots in South Sydney, South West Sydney and the North Coast. Relevant definitions, policy and best practice standards were developed by the Central Management Committee to guide the work of Committees at Area and Local level. Evaluations of these pilots provided positive grounds for extending the Project statewide. This process began in 1995. Area Committees are based on the NSW Department of Community Services Areas.
In 1995, the Ageing and Disability Department was formed and took on the role of lead agency for the Early Intervention Coordination Project. In 1997 the project underwent an external evaluation. The evaluation report indicated that: * a great deal had been achieved * the project has been of considerable value to both families and service providers * the Project had promoted the fact that exemplary practice is being achieved in early intervention in NSW and * there was now improved access to services It was recommended that the project be upgraded to program status and retitled Early Childhood Intervention Coordination Program (ECICP). The ECICP was adopted as a continuing program, with the Ageing and Disability Department as the lead agency. The four Directors-General of the relevant departments made a commitment to support and fund the continuation of the Program. Together these Departments will contribute over $1 million dollars to support the Program during the next three years. |
