Executive Summary
Long before terms like ‘integrated hubs’ and ‘one stop shop’ were coined, ACCOs were providing integrated early years services tailored to the needs of children and families in their communities. ACCOs have been the leaders of holistic early childhood supports for decades, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have provided connected and holistic care for our children for millennia.
Two decades ago, SNAICC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early years sector leaders created the term “Thrive by five with culture alive” and adopted it as one of SNAICC’s core strategic priorities. This research paper builds on that legacy of early years leadership to explore and propose options for the implementation of a new funding model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled integrated early years services designed to ensure our children thrive.