Healthy Development Adelaide - HDA

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Healthy Development Adelaide - HDA HDA's vision is to achieve the full development potential of South Australia's children and adolescents.

Our partners include the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation, the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute, University of South Australia, Flinders University, Department of Human Services, Department for Education, Women's and Children's Health Network, SAHMRI Women and Kids, Department for Child Protection, and Novita.

Join us for our HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action followed in the evening with our HDA 22nd Annual Oration to be present...
11/10/2026

Join us for our HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action followed in the evening with our HDA 22nd Annual Oration to be presented by The Hon. Lucy Hood MP, Minister for Autism.

When: Wednesday 18 November, 1.30-7.15pm
Where: Adelaide Health & Medical Sciences (AHMS) building, Ground Level, G030 and G033 Lecture Theatres, 4 North Terrace, Adelaide.

Thank you to our amazing sponsors, we appreciate your support!!
The Hospital Research Foundation Group
Commissioner for Children and Young People SA
Health Translation SA
Early Childhood Australia SA
Kudos Services
Gowrie SA
Child and Family Focus SA

The HDA Symposium will include two concurrent sessions with short oral presentations including researchers and industry / government / NGO undertaking basic or clinical, biomedical or social science research in developmental health, disability, resilience or disease in pregnancy, infancy, childhood or adolescence.
Adelaide University : Flinders University : The Kids Research Institute Australia : Centacare Catholic Community Services : SA Ambulance Service : Human Services SA : Women's and Children's Health Network : SAHMRI Women and Kids : Robinson Research Institute - Adelaide University

The HDA 22nd Annual Oration will be presented by The Hon. Lucy Hood MP, Minister for Autism on Strengthening Autism Inclusion in South Australian Schools.
South Australia is strengthening autism inclusion in schools through investment in nation-leading initiatives including autism inclusion teachers in primary schools and tailored programs for high schools. Autistic student voice plays an important role in our approach, which is designed to improve learning environments, educator capability, student transitions and neurodiversity-affirming practice.

We look forward to seeing you there.
Please share to your colleagues, networks and friends.

Detailed information for each session and the Oration can be found here – register now!
https://events.humanitix.com/hda-symposium-evidence-to-action

Thank you to Kudos Services – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 No...
08/10/2026

Thank you to Kudos Services – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 November!

Allied health and disability support across South Australia
Kudos Services is a South Australian not-for-profit, employee-controlled disability services agency working across Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Our allied health professionals include speech pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and developmental educators. We provide individual and family support, as well as group programs, professional learning and practical support for educators and organisations seeking to strengthen inclusion and participation.

Kudos is separately South Australia’s NDIS Early Childhood Partner for children younger than nine. Families with concerns about their child’s development can contact the Early Childhood team for information, support and connections to community and mainstream services. Access to a particular pathway or support is not guaranteed.

General enquiries: (08) 8348 6500 | kudosservices.com.au
Early Childhood Partner enquiries: 1800 931 190 | [email protected] | kudosservices.com.au/ndia-ec/

Thank you to Child and Family Focus SA (CAFFSA) – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Ann...
07/10/2026

Thank you to Child and Family Focus SA (CAFFSA) – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 November!

CAFFSA amplifies the voices of children, young people, and families. As a South Australian peak body, we partner with and represent the NGOs and ACCOs dedicated to supporting and nurturing children, young people, families, caregivers and communities.

Our members contribute to evidence about early intervention, out-of-home care and reunification: what early support families need, what helps services respond well, and where system settings can support better outcomes.

CAFFSA’s advocacy highlights the case for investing earlier. Member-informed analysis by DHS and BetterStart indicates intensive family support can prevent children entering care, returning $1.86 for every $1 invested. We have also supported cost-benefit analysis for the Home Stretch SA initiative, demonstrating that extending support for young people leaving care until 21 could return $3.25 for every $1 invested.

Our Research Network provides a forum for members and partners to share evidence, practice and sector development themes and emerging research and gaps. This network enabled CAFFSA to build a clearer picture of the SA family support and child protection context, including through the SA in Focus report and 2026 ROGS analysis.

Our current Empowering Reunification Practice Project is developing an evidence-informed view of best practice in family reunification. Analysis indicates reunification can return $14.80 for every $1 invested. This matters in SA, where reunifications are often sustained once children return home, but fewer children and families are offered reunification, compared with other jurisdictions.

Learn more: www.childandfamily-sa.org.au

Thank you to Early Childhood Australia SA (ECA SA) – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd ...
06/10/2026

Thank you to Early Childhood Australia SA (ECA SA) – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 November!

Early Childhood Australia South Australia (ECA SA) is the South Australian branch of Early Childhood Australia, the national peak body for early childhood education and care. ECA SA is committed to advocating for the rights, wellbeing, learning, and development of all young children, recognising that high-quality early childhood education provides the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and participation in society.

Advocacy is at the heart of ECA SA’s work. The organisation represents the voices of children, families, educators, and services by engaging with government, policymakers, and the broader community to influence decisions that affect the early childhood sector. ECA SA advocates for equitable access to quality education and care, improved outcomes for children experiencing vulnerability, a sustainable and respected early childhood workforce, and policies that support inclusion, diversity, and children's rights.

ECA SA provides professional learning, networking opportunities, conferences, and forums that connect educators and strengthen professional practice. These initiatives encourage collaboration, reflective practice, and the sharing of innovative ideas across the sector. ECA SA also creates opportunities for educators to contribute to consultations and policy discussions, ensuring that the experiences and expertise of those working directly with children inform decision-making at local and state levels.

By building strong partnerships across education, health, community organisations, and government, ECA SA works to create lasting, positive change. Its advocacy ensures that the voices of young children remain central to public policy and that every child in South Australia has the opportunity to thrive in a high-quality, inclusive, and supportive early learning environment.

Find out more here: https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Thank you to the Commissioner for Children and Young People SA – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Acti...
05/10/2026

Thank you to the Commissioner for Children and Young People SA – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 November!

What do children and young people need to thrive?

They need their fundamental rights met: access to what they need, a genuine sense of belonging, and meaningful opportunities to contribute to decisions that affect their lives. This ABC of child rights is at the heart of the Commissioner for Children and Young People SA’s 2026–2028 Strategy.

Because listening is only the beginning. By acting on children and young people’s experiences and ideas, and valuing them as partners in change, we can strengthen systems, services and communities for their benefit.

Together, we can create the conditions for hope to thrive.

Find out more here: https://www.ccyp.com.au/

Thank you to Health Translation SA – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration o...
04/10/2026

Thank you to Health Translation SA – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 November!

Health Translation SA works across South Australia’s health and medical ecosystem to support the translation of high-quality research into real-world impact, helping improve the health and lives of South Australians.

A key way in which we support research translation is by strengthening Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in Research.

Meaningful consumer involvement helps ensure research reflects the needs and experiences of the people and communities it aims to benefit, strengthening its relevance and potential for translation into practice.

If you’re looking to strengthen consumer involvement in your research, access our CCI Toolkit or get in touch to learn how we can help: https://healthtranslationsa.org.au/health-professionals-researchers/tools/consumer-community-involvement-in-research/

Thank you to Gowrie SA – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 Novembe...
01/10/2026

Thank you to Gowrie SA – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 November!

Gowrie SA is doing vital work connecting evidence and everyday practice for families.

Their Teach-Do-Learn© early learning initiative supports families across Adelaide's southern suburbs, linking parents and caregivers of children aged five and under with qualified educators and allied health professionals — including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, play therapists and feeding therapists.

Grounded in attachment theory, culturally responsive pedagogies, the Australian Early Development Census domains and the Early Years Learning Framework, the program's stacked-delivery approach is shaped around each family's strengths, interests and emerging needs.

What sets Teach-Do-Learn© apart:
• A strong home-learning connection, with practical take-home resources for play-based learning
• A welcoming, non-stigmatising space where families can seek support early
• Opportunities to build relationships and reduce isolation with other local families
• Early identification and timely support for developmental concerns

Teach-Do-Learn empowers families by connecting them with evidence-based supports so children can thrive where they live, learn and play.

www.gowriesa.org.au

Thank you to The Hospital Research Foundation Group – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd...
30/09/2026

Thank you to The Hospital Research Foundation Group – sponsor to our upcoming HDA Symposium: Evidence to Action and 22nd Annual Oration on 18 November!

:: Driving innovation in healthcare ::
As a leading supporter of health and medical research in South Australia, we recognise the vital role events like these play in connecting people, exchanging knowledge, strengthening collaboration and turning research evidence into meaningful practice.

Giving children the best start in life is crucial to their lifelong health and wellbeing, which is why we proudly support research across the full spectrum of early life – from pregnancy and birth through to childhood and adolescence.

We recently awarded a $250,000 grant for new research aimed at slowing the progression of childhood dementia, $125,000 into precision immunotherapy for children with brain tumours, as well as smaller grants for pain relief during childbirth, neonatal care, juvenile arthritis and more.

We regularly offer competitive grant opportunities for researchers and clinicians across a range of healthcare areas.

Visit www.hospitalresearch.org.au to learn more.

The National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health is now open. The 2026 survey is being conducted...
29/09/2026

The National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health is now open.

The 2026 survey is being conducted by researchers from Emerging Minds Australia and Monash University.

If you work in health, mental health, community services, social services, research, education, policy or leadership, your experiences can help shape future workforce support, training and investment.

For participants:
• The survey takes approximately 25 minutes to complete.
• Responses are confidential.
• Participants completing the survey can also complete an optional reflective activity and may be able to self-report up to one hour of CPD.
• Participants can also opt in to enter the draw to win one of five iPads.

Do not leave your profession, region or community out of the national picture.

Complete the survey. Help strengthen workforce support.

Take part: https://bit.ly/3TCGRbU

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