With less than 3 weeks to go before the conference this is an important update for registered participants on developments for the conference.

• Download Final Program - SNAICC Conference 2010 [PDF 3MB]
• Now accepting extra preferences for sessions - 1, 9 and 10, 14 and 17, 25, 31, 37 and 42, (previously advised as full).
• We have a new keynote presenter - Dr Joseph Sparling 
• Three new sessions/workshops
• General updates and reminders

Extra preferences for sessions 

As we have been able to secure a larger breakout space next door to Convention Centre - we can now accept preferences for sessions – 1, 9 and 10, 14 and 17, 25, 31, 37 and 42, previously advised as full.

Please contact the Conference Secretariat  sharynlow@pacific.net.au if you wish to change back into the above sessions.

The following sessions are currently full although places may become available as people opt for some of the new sessions on Wednesday 28th July:

• 4. Child and family health – culturally appropriate and early intervention.
• WC Tuesday 27th July 11am to 12.30pm Bush Toys
• 18. Policy – social change and reconciliation – 3rd World Canada Film
• Tuesday evening 27th July – Both additional options Akeyulerre Healing Centre AND the Larapinta Film Night are FULL.
• WD Wednesday 28th July 11am to 12.30pm Tjanpi Weavers
• 19. Out of home care – culturally appropriate · 23. Policy –self determined and culturally responsive.
• 23. Policy –self determined and culturally responsive
• 26. Early Childhood – the many roles of stories
• 27. Child Protection – partnerships.
• 36. Remote work – using traditional means to improve family outcomes.
• Wednesday 28th July evening 6pm Conference Bush Wok Dinner
• 38. Early Childhood – literacy and training
• 40. Child and Family Health – Autism Spectrum Disorder
• WE Thursday 29th July Strong in my culture – kids’ publishing mini workshop.

New keynote presenter – Dr Joseph Sparling

• Dr Sparling will present a keynote address Wednesday 28th July and will then run a workshop. 

We have a new keynote presenter – Dr Joseph Sparling is an early childhood educator and former teacher and principal, Research Professor at Georgetown University, Fellow of the Frank Porter Child Development Institute of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the first author of LearningGames®, Partners for Learning, and Conversation Books, educational resources that have been used widely in the United States.

He has also developed curriculum and provided training and intervention services for orphanages in Romania. Sparling was a co-principal investigator on the Abecedarian studies, three longitudinal research projects conducted over 30 years with at-risk children. Through this research, he demonstrated the efficacy of early childhood education by developing simple tools that doubled children’s learning capacity and improved their health, social emotional well-being, employment and other life outcomes. His landmark Carolina Abecedarian project was a combined early intervention for children of poor and minority families with child care and used an experimental design project involving experiment and comparison groups. Results indicated that by the age of eight, children who received preschool intervention subsequently performed better academically than those who had no preschool experience. Benefits were gained regardless of disadvantage, family factors and other contextual issues.

In mid-2010, Sparling was an academic visitor for two months at the University in Melbourne, where he conducted research into the potential implementation of the Abecedarian Approach in Australia (titled ‘the 3A concept’). His visit raised interest regarding the applicability of the 3A concept to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Sparling is currently on a study trip in Australia with the support of SNAICC to consult further on the 3A concept with relevant government, community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives.

New sessions/workshops

New Workshop WF: Wednesday 28th July 11am to 12.30pm running concurrently with sessions 19 to 24. US Learning Games with at-risk children: can they work here?
30 years of research in the USA showed that simple learning tools developed through the Abecedarian research have far-reaching benefits for at-risk children, including improved reading and maths abilities, and increased likelihood of graduating from a 4-year university course. Could this approach work in Australia’s Aboriginal programs? Learn how the positive, long term results of the Abecedarian research studies were achieved. See examples and short videos of the 4 elements: LearningGames, Conversational Reading, Language Priority, and Enriched Caregiving
- Dr Joseph Sparling USA.

Please advise the conference secretariat ASAP if you would like to change your session preference to this workshop.

New workshop on Wed 1.30pm – 3pm running concurrently with sessions 25 to 30. Workshop WG Child and Family Early Childhood Services Panel - The implementation of the Children and Family Centres: What’s working and what’s not?
This facilitated forum brings together representatives from government and from communities who are involved in getting the CFCs up and running. Participants will hear and have a chance to discuss what is working and what is not in the design and delivery of implementing this initiative across the country.

Please advise the conference secretariat ASAP if you would like to change your session preference to this workshop.

We have an additional workshop on Wed 3.30pm – 5pm running concurrently with sessions 31 to 36. Workshop WG Through Young Black Eyes
This workshop is for people who want to run workshops about the prevention of family violence in their own community or organisation, and are looking for inspiration, ideas and practical strategies. In this workshop, presenters will discuss strategies about how to run a community workshop on; Family and community strengths and what we want for our children; Family violence and its effect on children; Child abuse and neglect; Child sexual abuse and/or developing a child safe community. The presenters will draw from their own experience as well as from the Through Young Black Eyes Workshop kit produced by SNAICC to provide tips and strategies and share success stories about running a successful workshop. Catriona Elek, SNAICC, VIC.

Please advise the conference secretariat ASAP if you would like to change your session preference to this workshop.

General updates

There have been some changes in the following sessions:

• Tuesday 27th July Session 5 has had some presentations withdrawn and is now
  Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Male (Ingkintja Male) Health - Positive work from the Congress Male Health program and their Stop the Violence education campaign.  John Liddle and colleagues, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, NT.
  Cultural Synergy – Family Relationship Services engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers. A credible focus on the cultural model and priorities that have created the high level of acceptance of the Hey, Dad! For Indigenous Dads, Uncles and Pops Program in urban, regional and remote locations and correctional centres. Greg Stock, Lynne Slocombe Centacare Broken Bay, NSW
• Tuesday 27th July Workshop WC Bush Toys has not been confirmed and is now a 2nd workshop by Tjanpi Weavers.
• Wednesday 28th July Session 36 is now: Lateral Violence. Lateral Violence is when an oppressed group turn on themselves. It is endemic amongst Indigenous communities around the world. It is a killer of culture, collective voice, families and community. It needs to be stopped. Richard Frankland, Koorreenterprises and VACCA, VIC.
  Early Child Development and the Play and Learn Support Kit (PALS). The PALS Kit presentation is an opportunity for women from various communities to have a conversation around child development presented in a culturally appropriate way that uses their own knowledge about hunting and the seasons to develop an understanding of early childhood brain development and the importance of good strong experiences for mothers and their children from ante natal to three years of age. Leanna Haynes, Naomi Havens and Mandy Manggurra, Anglicare NT.
• Thursday 29th July Session 42: The Torres Strait Islander Child Care presentation has not been confirmed so the presentation from Walpiri Education and Training Trust will have the full session.

A reminder that the weather in central Australia can get very cold overnight (like 0 degrees!) so dress warmly with lots of layers for the evening functions. Thermal under layers, gloves, scarves, beanie and overcoat are recommended! The days can get up to 20+ degrees though.

Travel and accommodation: Qantas advises there is now an additional flight ex Sydney to Alice Springs on Monday 26th July and Desert Palms Resort also still has accommodation available. Book 08 8952 5977 and quote ‘SNAICC Conference’.

On Thursday 29th July from 3pm to 5pm in the Ghan Foyer there will be an art market from Aboriginal owned and controlled community based art centres. All art centres at the art market are DesART members. Support the community based art centres by purchasing here. Purchasing from DesART members provides a guarantee that your artwork is authentic, and certificates of authenticity are provided. 100 percent of the return goes directly to Aboriginal families or organisations. Our Art Market will Feature Artists from: Ngurratjuta Art Centre, Warlukurlangu Artists (Yuendeumu), Red Shed Arts Centre - Atitjere (Harts Range) Community, Tjanpi Weavers, and Waltja.

Travel safe and we look forward to welcoming you there!