ANMF Victorian Branch welcomes the Andrews Government’s announcement to provide all Victorian maternal and child health (MCH) nurses with training to early identify autism in children.
The $1.1 million training package, to be delivered by La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, was announced by Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos on 5 September.
Early diagnosis is beneficial for families to ensure their children receive appropriate programs and access to support services, such as tailored learning programs.
The training will be provided as blended modules (i.e. online and face-to-face) and is part of $19 million funding to make early childhood services become more inclusive and accessible.
Other early childhood professionals, such as kinder teachers, will be provided training and resources to provide tailored learning for disabled children.
Victoria’s maternal and child health nurses are considered the most highly qualified and experienced in the country. They need to be qualified nurses and midwives and undertake further postgraduate university study, along with continuing professional development.
If you are a registered nurse and midwife interested in becoming a MCH nurse, you might be eligible to apply for the Department of Education and Training’s Maternal and Child Health Nursing scholarship (PDF). Applications close 15 October.
