Childhood Development Initiative

ive ways of delivering services and early interventions for children and young people, including the wider family and community settings.” (DCYA, 2011)

CDI is based in Tallaght West and is the result of the professionalism, passion and persistence of a group of 23 concerned individuals and organisations in the community, who had a vision of a better place for children. Through innovative partnerships, they brought together the science of evidenced-based practice and rigorous evaluation, with the spirit of an approach focused on the identified needs of children and families. A partnership was agreed between Government and The Atlantic Philanthropies and the consortium’s first piece of work was a needs analysis entitled “How Are Our Kids?” (HAOK, 2004). A number of priorities were agreed based on this research, one of which was the set up and incorporation of CDI in 2007. Following this a number of programmes were designed and delivered between 2007-2011. Our programmes for Tallaght West are the Early Years Programme; Doodle Den - Literacy Programme for Senior Infant Children; Mate-Tricks - Pro-Social Behaviour Programme for 4th Class Children; Healthy Schools Programme - A Whole School Approach; Early Intervention Speech and Language Therapy; Community Safety Initiative; Safe and Healthy Place Initiative; Restorative Practice; and the Quality Enhancement Programme. All CDI programmes are evidence-informed and manualised, and are delivered through existing structures and services. CDI has a core role in promoting quality, fidelity, value for money and added value. All elements of our work are rigorously and independently evaluated and we are committed to sharing the learning and experiences from Tallaght West, in order to inform and shape future policy, practice, training and curriculum development.