07 Sep2021 Victorian Protecting Children Awards
Congratulations to Aileen Ashford, CEO of Kids First and ELAA Board member, and Kids First on being recognised at this year’s Victorian Protecting Children Awards.
The awards recognise practitioners, workers, carers and community members from across all areas of the Victorian child and family services system who go above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of children and young people.
Kids First received the Minister’s Award for Innovation in Protecting Children. This award recognises an individual, team or group demonstrating innovative approaches and creative intervention to achieve the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Kids First achieved this recognition for their Caring Dads program. Caring Dads is an Australian-first, 17-week early intervention program that engages fathers who have used family violence. It helps them develop child-centred fathering skills and to take responsibility for the effect of their violence on their children and their children’s mother. A 2020 University of Melbourne evaluation demonstrated the program was associated with an overall reduction in violence, and an increase in men’s ability to reflect on harmful fathering practices.
Aileen was personally recognised as ‘Highly Commended’ in the Robin Clark Leadership Award. This award recognises an individual, team, or group at any level of leadership who inspires others to act wisely and care deeply about achieving the best outcomes for children, young people and their families. The citation on the Awards website says “Aileen’s 30-year career is characterised by a commitment to social justice and ensuring children thrive, no matter their starting point in life”.
Congratulations to Aileen and Kids First on their respective great achievements.
For full details CLICK HERE for the Awards website.
