Pictured: Celebrating the one-year anniversary of Resilient Kids in November 2024.
Healthy North Coast has released the evaluation report for the second year of the Resilient Kids program – delivered by Social Futures, The Family Center, Human Nature Therapy and Lives Lived Well – highlighting the positive impact the program is having for children, young people and families across the Northern Rivers following the 2022 floods.
The independent evaluation, delivered by Beacon Strategies, found the program has improved access to wellbeing and resilience supports, strengthened mental health and social and emotional wellbeing outcomes, and helped build confidence and connection for young people recovering from disaster impacts.
Building on the findings from the program’s first year, in year two, Resilient Kids expanded its reach and impact. Key achievements in the second year included:
- 43 total education programs delivered
- 31 local schools engaged
- 1,856 children and young people participated
Resilient Kids was co-designed with young people, schools, communities and service providers to ensure supports reflected local needs. Since launching, the program has delivered a range of school-based, community and culturally responsive initiatives for flood-affected young people aged 8–18 in the Northern Rivers of NSW.
A final evaluation report will be available later in 2026 and will explore the impact of the program across the full term (2022-2025). These evaluation findings will help inform future approaches to supporting children and young people following climate-related disasters and contribute to the growing evidence base for community-led recovery programs.
