The Genesis Programme Launch Follow Up

In a blog post last week, we covered the launch of The Genesis Programme in Ireland. Below is an excerpt from the press release for this event:

“The Genesis Programme is a consortium of some 50 Partner Organisations and will deliver The Incredible Years suite of programmes to children, families and communities in Dundalk and Drogheda.

The consortium came through a rigorous selection process to be become one of 13 ABC Programme sites/areas…

The Incredible Years is a series of interlocking, evidence-based programmes for children, their parents and their teachers, supported by over 30 years of research. The goal is to prevent and treat young children’s behavioural problems and promote their social, emotional and academic competence. The programme was developed in the University of Washington in Seattle by Dr. Carolyn Webster-Stratton. Whilst each programme has been designed as a stand-alone intervention, taken together, they provide a cohesive and uniform strategy to address and eliminate behavioural difficulties in children.

The launch event also contained a series of interactive workshops which showcased a number of the different strands of The Incredible Years suite of programmes that are being delivered as part of The Genesis Programme.

At the event the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs Dr James Reilly TD said: ‘Louth is one of 13 Areas across Ireland in the ABC Programme that are adopting an area-based approach to address child poverty through delivering high quality, coordinated services to improve outcomes for children and families. I am delighted to launch The Genesis Programme in Louth which delivers on the government commitment to prevention and early intervention and draws on best international practice and existing service provision. This will bring benefits to children, parents and the wider community and make a significant contribution to breaking the cycle of disadvantage.

I am really pleased to see the wide range of committed statutory and non-statutory services and partners who are working collaboratively to achieve a common purpose and deliver more integrated and coordinated services. The work is building upon the strong foundation of inter-agency working in the area and is strongly connected to Louth Children and Young People’s Services Committee, which will support the mainstreaming of learning across all relevant agencies. It expands upon the excellent record of work in schools to early years and wider community settings. I look forward to hearing about the progress of the work and wish you every success.’”

At the launch of The Genesis Programme are (l-r):
Hugh Doogan, Programme Manager, The Genesis Programme; Ged Nash TD, Minister for Business & Employment; Dr. James Reilly TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs; Cllr Oliver Tully, Chairman LLA and Peter Fitzpatrick TD

More information about the Genesis Programme Incredible Years delivery:

“The Genesis Programme – which has over 50 Partner Organisations – will deliver the Incredible Years suite of programmes to children, families and communities in areas of entrenched disadvantage in Dundalk and Drogheda. These programmes promote and enhance children’s social, emotional and cognitive wellbeing from pre-birth to six years of age.

The Vision is to measurably improve the well-being and development outcomes for children aged pre-birth to six years of age in the targeted areas by implementing The Incredible Years suite of programmes with fidelity using an agreed area based approach.

There are six key objectives:

• That all relevant agencies work collaboratively to agree and implement an area based approach to deliver the IY suite of programmes for children aged 0-6yrs

• That those delivering the IY programmes are trained and coached ensuring fidelity and standards are met

• That a Parent Forum is developed to act as a consultative body to inform policy and practice

• That the project will work collaboratively with DKIT to develop an IY module as part of relevant degree programmes

• That the project works collaboratively with the newly established Infant Mental Health Network to develop a strategy for Co. Louth

• That the project collaborates with Louth Children’s & Young People’s Services Committee (Louth CYPSC) to embed IY programmes in service delivery across all relevant agencies”

We are very excited about the project and stay tuned for updates in the future!

– The Incredible Years Team