About the Let's Start Program
Let's Start is a therapeutic, early intervention program for children and families at risk. It is a multi-group program on the effective Exploring Together Preschool Program (ETTP) developed in the Austin Hospital in Melbourne. Specifically adapted for the Northern Territory context it is intended for use among young Indigenous children and their parents in urban and remote communities. Let's Start aims to support family strengths and young children's social-emotional learning.

Program Evaluation
Comprehensive evaluation of Let’s Start (Robinson et al., 2009) www.cdu.edu.au/letsstart/documents/lets-start-evaluation-report.pdf highlights:
• Participation in Let’s Start increased parental confidence and assertiveness and stronger parent-child relationships
• Participation in Let’s Start led to significant improvement in children’s behaviour  and social skills, as reported by teachers and parents, at program completion and at six month follow up
• There is a need for post-program intervention to help parents deal with social-emotional, mental health and family issues  across the child’s life span
• Let’s Start can support the transition to school for many children
• Let’s Start can support improvements in parental mental health

Phase two of Let's Start project (2009 - 2012)
Since 2006, Let's Start has successfully delivered programs to Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in a diverse range of NT communities. Based on our recent evaluation findings, and in partnership with local communities, Let’s Start aims to further adapt and consolidate the Let’s Start model on the Tiwi Islands. Our vision is this model will provide a strong evidence base for successful replication in other Indigenous communities across the NT with a broader focus on child development, early learning, parenting and parent wellbeing.

•  To view Let's Start newsletter click here
• Click here to view policy brief: Improving developmental Outcomes for Aboriginal Children in Urban and Remote Communities.

• Fact Sheet - Parenting with Aboriginal Families and Communities
• Fact Sheet - Enhancing the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal children and families.
•  To view the Let's Start website www.cdu.edu.au/letsstart
•  Evaluation Report