The First Thousand Days Clinic pilot project is the first of its kind in Australia and represents a significant collaboration between the hospital, community services, and philanthropic organisations.
Research indicates that babies exposed to drugs and alcohol before birth are more likely to be born to mothers who have themselves suffered significant childhood trauma. Their children then also face heightened risks of mental and physical health challenges, learning difficulties, poor educational achievement, and early contact with the child protection and youth justice systems.
The First Thousand Days Clinic aims to provide early intervention and care to these at-risk children during a period of rapid brain development, helping to build strong brains and healthy attachments that will help to decrease their risks of lifelong adversity.
The pilot team will collaborate with community services and link these babies into the services they individually require assisting in their healthy life trajectory to prevent the onset of mental health, developmental issues, and other adverse outcomes as they age.