Healthy North Coast is pleased to be able to share the first evaluation report from the Resilient Kids Program. The report, developed by Beacon Strategies, provides insights, learnings and recommendations from the delivery of the program between October 2023-October 2024.
Following the 2022 flood events in the Northern Rivers, Healthy North Coast received a four-year $10 million grant from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to design, deliver and evaluate the Resilient Kids Program for school-aged (8-18) children and young people impacted by the disaster.
In the first year of service delivery, the program was able to reach over 5,300 children and young people and 420 parents and carers.
Overall, 89% have been satisfied with the service they receive and 92% of children and young people reported improvement or positive outcomes
The evaluation shows that Resilient Kids has:
- increased access to wellbeing and resilience supports for children and young people across the Northern Rivers.
- improved mental health and wellbeing outcomes by equipping participants with practical skills and tools for personal growth, regulation and recovery.
empowered parents and carers with communication strategies, trauma informed tools and confidence to support their children.
supported inclusive service delivery tailored to different communities and priority cohorts.
Healthy North Coast thanks our Resilient Kids service delivery partners: Social Futures, The Family Centre, Human Nature Therapy, and Lives Lived Well for their vital contributions to the wellbeing of children, young people and families across the Northern Rivers.
The Family Centre delivered workshops on disaster resilience, mental health and wellbeing to over 2,900 students across 50 schools. With Round 1 of their school-based services and wellbeing hub concluding on 11 July 2025, we acknowledge their outstanding efforts.
Lives Lived Well supported 2,350 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people from Tweed Heads to Grafton through culturally tailored services, with the Aboriginal Resilient Kids Program also concluding on 11 July 2025.
Together, both programs have made a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of thousands of young people and we thank the providers for their dedication and impact.
Share your feedback: Resilient Kids program survey
If you live or work with children and young people in the Northern Rivers, we’d love to hear from you. This short survey is part of the evaluation of the Resilient Kids program, supporting young people after the 2022 floods.
You’re invited to take part if you are:
A young person or their parent/carer, a Resilient Kids program partner, or a professional or volunteer working with young people in the region.
Your input will help shape future support. View survey.
