Autumn 2026 update
Autumn 2026 Update
Dear members and subscribers,
In this edition: CYFSP System Support Services Grant announcement; Workforce Development & Training Review; Thriving Kids update; the Child First Forum 2026; ABS Life Course Data Initiative; JCR schedule 2026; and new Families ACT membership.
The beginning of 2026 marks an important period of change for Families ACT and the broader child and family community sector. Territory and Commonwealth reforms are shaping this transition and creating new opportunities for collaboration and innovation in how we support children and families across the ACT.
This update provides an overview of the key reforms and activities currently underway.
CYFSP System Support Services Grant
In November 2025, the ACT Government announced the CYFSP System Support Services Grant, which will fund organisations to deliver system support functions across the Child, Youth and Family Services Program (CYFSP). The grant specifically supports: system monitoring and evaluation; Sector Development Fund (training) administration; and strengthening sector coordination and connection. Further information about the grant is available [here].
Families ACT, in partnership with the Youth Coalition of the ACT (the consortium), has been successfully awarded the grant.
Families ACT and the Youth Coalition are honoured to receive this grant and look forward to working closely with CYFSP members and non-members, and the ACT Government, to strengthen the CYFSP and support the best outcomes for the children, young people and families we serve.
Further details about activities related to the grant will be shared in the coming months.
Workforce Development & Training Review
Work continues on the Workforce Capability and Learning Framework for the CYFSP, building on the Workforce Development and Training Evaluation. While the Framework is still to be released, the report on the Evaluation of the CYFSP Workforce Development and Training Committee and Fund was released in September 2025. This report summarises feedback provided by CYFSP members and other stakeholders to understand the role, value and benefits of the Workforce Development and Training (WDT) and its contribution to supporting the CYFSP. The findings of this report will inform potential improvements to the WDT and the future delivery of CYFSP systems support functions. Areas of more consideration outlined in the report include:
Developing and articulating the strategic direction for the CYFSP workforce and WDT
Shifting the annual pattern of expenditure
Addressing engagement and participation barriers
Strengthening operational processes
The Evaluation Report is available [here].
Thriving Kids update
In February 2026, the Commonwealth Government released the Thriving Kids Advisory Group Final Report available [here]. This report outlines the Thriving Kids model and service principles that will guide implementation across all Australian jurisdictions. A staged rollout is planned, commencing 1 October 2026, with full implementation from 1 January 2028. The staged approach is designed to ensure national services are in place ahead of changes to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) access arrangements from that date.
Thriving Kids is a significant national reform aimed at giving children the best possible start in life, by identifying developmental needs as early as possible so that timely, evidence-based supports can make the greatest difference. The reforms are designed to create a support system for children who do not meet NDIS eligibility criteria, while children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged eight and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity, will remain eligible for the NDIS under existing arrangements.
ACT Government departments and key stakeholders are currently working to develop an ACT-specific framework for Thriving Kids implementation. Families ACT is closely following these developments and will engage with this process as appropriate.
Families ACT acknowledges the concerns families may hold about service continuity during this transition. It is vital that their access to support remains steady and uninterrupted.
Families ACT views the Thriving Kids reform as a meaningful step towards addressing the ongoing decline in developmental outcomes among children in the ACT. As the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) 2024 results revealed, the ACT has the second highest rate of children developmentally vulnerable across one or more domains, with the proportion of children developmentally on track continuing to decline. Thriving Kids represents a significant investment by Commonwealth, state and territory governments to address this trend and better meet the developmental needs of children and their families.
Child First Forum 2026
Following the success of last year's inaugural Child First Forum, Families ACT is pleased to announce that the second Child First Forum will be held across two half-days on 12 and 13 May 2026.
This year's Forum will bring together representatives from across the community, public and research sectors to explore child developmental vulnerability, disadvantage and poverty in the ACT, with a particular focus on vulnerable population groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and the role of socioeconomic factors.
The 2026 Forum will also focus on:
Sustained and targeted investment in early intervention and wraparound supports, exploring different service models
Strengthening service integration and service stacking approaches
Ongoing development of data collection systems in the ACT
Child-centred practice, including elevating the child's voice, in policy development and implementation
Further details about speakers and the full program will be announced in due course. You can learn about the first Child First Forum 2025 [here].
Australian Bureau of Statistics - Life Course Data Initiative
As discussed at last year's Child First Forum, a key outcome was agreement that more robust data is needed across the community, youth and family sector to better understand the lived experiences of children and families in Canberra, and to direct evidence-led interventions.
As part of this ongoing work, Families ACT has partnered with the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life Course Data Initiative (LCDI) to explore the availability of ABS data to better understand child disadvantage and poverty in Canberra.
In recognition of this collaboration, Families ACT Executive Director Rebecca Zappelli was interviewed to discuss the partnership and its goals. The interview is available [here].
Joint Case Reviews - March 2026
Following the successful recommencement of Families ACT's Joint Case Review (JCR) Program in 2025, the first JCR session of 2026 will be held on Tuesday, 10 March, 9.30–11.30am. This will be a general session, open to practitioners from across the CYFSP and non-CYFSP sectors, including government service providers.
Please register [here] as soon as possible to secure your place, as this month’s JCR has almost sold out.
Should you not be able to join this month, the next JCR is scheduled for 19 May 2026. This will be a specialised session. Registration and further details on the sessions theme will be released in mid-April 2026.
Families ACT new membership
Families ACT membership continues to grow, with the following new member:
Families ACT welcomes Key Assets to its growing community of members, which currently stands at 40 organisations.
Thank you for making the time to read our Autumn Update for 2026.
Please do not hesitate to contact Families ACT if you have any questions about the activities and updates outlined above.
With warmth,
Rebecca Zappelli
Executive Director, Families ACT
M: 0402 718 579 | E: eo@familiesact.org.au
