The Tasmanian Government will invest $100 million across the next four years on an Action Plan to deliver Tasmania's first ever comprehensive, long-term, whole of government Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy, which has been released today.
Investing in the wellbeing of children and young Tasmanians is critical for our State's future, and the Action Plan includes 65 initiatives, along with timelines for implementation, a clear governance framework, and reporting and measuring outcomes.
Today's release of the Strategy, titled 'It takes a Tasmanian Village', follows a comprehensive consultation period earlier this year which included over 3,500 responses - including many from children and young people themselves, who told me of their hopes and dreams for Tasmania.
It provides the blueprint we need to deliver the services and supports that children, young people and their families need, so they, and our State, can thrive into the future, spanning the most important group in our community - those aged 0 to 25 years, with a particular focus on the first 1000 days of life where there is very clear evidence that a good start from conception to age two is vitally important to a child’s development.
It is designed for children and young people by children and young people, and those who care for their future, and contains a set of ten principles that will guide the way we will implement this Strategy.
We will report annually on the progress of the Strategy's actions and how the principles have impacted the implementation of the Strategy.
Included in the 65 initiatives are a set of eight strategic actions that will enable Government and the community sector to work better together to improve the wellbeing outcomes for Tasmanian children and young people.
Students who have greater wellbeing are more likely to have better educational outcomes, and a better quality of life, and I thank everyone who has taken the time to give their thoughts on this important Strategy for our State's future and look forward to seeing the benfits of this strategy flow for years to come.
Tasmania's Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy can be accessed at www.wellbeing.tas.gov.au