Without support or action, financial hardship and poverty in early childhood can have serious and lasting impacts on children’s health, development and wellbeing, and can persist for generations. By applying policy level solutions (like financial payments), making better use of existing service systems, and expanding evidence-based programs focused on addressing financial hardship, it is possible to reduce childhood poverty.

The webinar will explore:
• the current state of financial hardship and poverty in Victoria and Australia
• the impact of financial hardship and poverty on children’s health, development and wellbeing
• the role of policy in combatting child poverty
• prevention and early intervention solutions, including the Healthier Wealthier Families (HWF) pilot program.

Participants will have an opportunity to engage in a Q&A with the panel:
• Melissa Stone – Financial Counsellor, Uniting VicTas
• Prof Sharon Goldfeld – Director, Centre for Community Child Health
• Dr Ana Gamarra Rondinel – Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute: Applied Economics & Social Research
• Juanita Pope – Interim CEO, Victorian Council of Social Service