ACCYPN invites you to join Alanna Phillipson and Kristin Whaites, for a Webinar.
Members please use the registration link sent to you via email to access member rates.
Non-Members to access Member rates please click here and join as a member now and you will be emailed a link to register for the webinar at member rates.
Presentation: Connecting2u – Using mHealth to support families in their early parenting journey
Date: Monday 22 April 2024
Presenter: Alanna Phillipson and Kristin Whaites
Time: 2:00 pm QLD/NSW / VIC / ACT (AEST) | 1.30pm SA (ACST) | 1:30pm NT (ACST) 12.00pm WA (ACST) (1 CPD Hour) (1/2 hour presentation with 15 minutes Q&A and 15 minutes open discussion)
Attendance: Live Webinar
Cost: Members (Free), Non Members $25.00
Registration: Online Registration
Non-Members to access Member rates please click here and join as a member now and you will be emailed a link to register for the webinar at member rates.
Disclaimer: The webinar will be recorded. As this webinar includes Q&A and open discussion, anyone who participates or has their video turned on may be included in the recording.
Title: Connecting2u – Using mHealth to support families in their early parenting journey
Abstract of Presentation
Connecting2u (C2u) is a universal health promotion intervention that supports parents and carers through regular SMS text messaging. This platform combines the technology of mobile phones with targeted health promotion strategies to support positive behavioural choices. The purpose of C2u is to provide parents and carers with important knowledge, skills, and resources to positively impact on parenting practices and parental health behaviours.
Griffith University were the academic partner in the evaluation of the first three iterations of the C2u program. Across iterations, first-time mothers reported statistically significant results impacting “increasing parental confidence”. The service also demonstrated positive results impacting parental health literacy; parental self-efficacy to access the health care system; and effective implementation of strategies to promote optimal health and development in the early years.
Parents and carers participating in the most recent iteration reported a 100% immunisation rate at 2 years of age. This is vital in preventing childhood communicable disease. A 99% satisfaction rate with breadth of topics highlights the service is meeting the perceived needs of new parents with information about topics they find relevant.
Timely reminders about accessing child health and support services (such as for immunisation and developmental health checks) maintains connections between families and health services. This ongoing connection is vital in providing the right service at the right time and preventing minor issues from developing into complex problems. Over 90% of participants reported that the reminders were timely and a valuable prompt for accessing services at the right time.
Consideration of health literacy levels in the design and implementation has been a critical element of the program. The process for developing and expanding the suite of messages has been multi-tiered and has involved a network of health professional content expertise; phases of community consultation and stakeholder engagement and guidance from key national bodies to ensure effective framing of the messages.
Now in its’ 4th iteration, Connecting2u (C2u) is celebrating its’ 10th year of supporting new parents in their early parenting journey. With each iteration, refinements to the design and delivery of the program have been implemented to scale-up the program to a greater geographical reach throughout Queensland. An expansion of the program has recently been launched to support Queensland parents of children aged from birth until five years old (previously up to two years old).
The program is managed by the Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing (CCHW), Children’s Health Queensland, with the evaluation conducted by Griffith University. This presentation will provide an overview of the program and learnings throughout the journey.
Presenters BIO:
Alanna Phillipson is the Principal Program Officer managing Connecting2u. Connecting2u is a universal health promotion program to support new parents during their early parenting journey (birth[1]five yrs). Alanna has been a member of the teamsince 2013, and holds postgraduate qualifications in Public Health and Perinatal & Infant Mental Health. Alanna has a passion for being a part of public health efforts that are grounded in reducing health inequities. She has been very fortunate to have led and participated in multiple and varied innovative health promotion and prevention interventions, approaches and research, that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families. Alanna enjoys travelling with her husband and daughter, and any chance to do some yoga or Pilates between coffees and wines!
Kristin Whaites is a Senior Project Officer within the Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing working specifically on the Connecting2u uplift. Kristin has qualifications in Project Management, Business Administration and is in the final subject of her post graduate Business/Data Analytics due for completion in May 2024. Prior to working on Connecting2u Kristin worked in Strategy & Planning at CHQ with focus on process re-design, and population health, analysing the impact of social determinates on long term outcomes for Queensland’s children and youth. Earlier in her career Kristin worked as a senior MRI radiographer at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys trail running, travel and cooking for her husband and three sons aged 16, 13 and 9. Being a Mum to a learner driver is keeping her looking young, haha.
