Deliver INFANT
First Steps
As each LGA is different, the way in which INFANT will be implemented varies. The overall goal and content for INFANT will remain the same across LGAs. However, there is flexibility in how the program is implemented, including how it is embedded into services, who facilitates it, where it is held and how long it takes to roll out.
Here we walk you through what our research has told us are the important steps to help you consider if and how you might implement INFANT in your community.
- Step 1: Is there a need for INFANT in your area?
- Step 2: How could INFANT be set up in your area?
- Step 3: Express your interest with the INFANT team
- Step 4: Establish your INFANT set-up and complete the facilitator training
- Step 5: Begin implementing INFANT
Step 1: Is there a need for INFANT in your area?
You know your community and you are the expert here. The following questions may help with establishing a case and advocating for INFANT in your area:
- What is the birth rate in your catchment?
- What are the food and activity patterns of children in your catchment? Consider looking at your local health data.
- How many new parent groups run in your area per year?
- What policies and strategies are available to support programs, initiatives and services to support families with infants and young children?
- What programs, initiatives and services are on offer to families with children under 2 years?
- Can these policies, strategies and/or related initiatives be used to support the implementation of INFANT in your area?
Step 2: How could INFANT be set up in your area?Start talking to your local stakeholders who can help answer questions from Step 1 and co-design the delivery of INFANT for your area. Stakeholders could include services and structures such as:
- Maternal and Child Health Services
- Local Council
- Community Health Services
- Primary Care Partnerships
- DHHS Population Health and Wellbeing teams
- Other relevant organisations in your area
Consider who may be the lead organisation in your area and what delivery model might work in your area – begin thinking about where INFANT group sessions could be held, participant referral and administration tasks, and who could be trained as facilitators.
Get inspired by case studies from the areas already running INFANT.
Step 3: Express your interest with the INFANT team
After considering how INFANT might be run in your local area, it’s time to get in touch with the INFANT team.
Email the team at infant-study@deakin.edu.au.
We’ll be in touch promptly to discuss this together and support you through the next steps.
Step 4: Consider your INFANT set-up and complete the INFANT training
All organisations delivering INFANT will need to identify staff to undertake the INFANT training. This is so that you have the most up-to-date information, resources and support you need.
Once training is complete, and your area is ready to move forward, then the lead organisation will prepare the implementation plan with representation from the organisations that will be involved. This is outlined in the INFANT training.
Step 5: Begin implementing INFANT
Once you have set-up underway and have staff trained, you are ready to start implementing INFANT!
You can apply for seed funding to support you in getting started, see more information below.
Resources
Program implementation template
This resource contains a PDF template. It will help you think about how you can coordinate INFANT implementation in your local government.
INFANT cost estimates
The purpose of this document is to provide some estimates of approximate costs of the INFANT program, from the perspective of health services running the program.
Translated Resources
Western Public Health Unit in collaboration with INFANT have translated the highly visual INFANT booklets into 6 priority languages: Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, Simplified-Chinese, Urdu and Vietnamese. The booklets support mums, dads and carers with evidenced based feeding and play advice for babies aged 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age and have been carefully curated to complement the four INFANT group sessions. These translated resources are in an initial pilot phase and will be evaluated and refined over time.
INFANT set-up and training
All organisations delivering INFANT will need to have trained facilitators. This will help to ensure you have the most up-to-date resources and support you need.
INFANT set-up includes:
- Access to INFANT training: Training includes an initial 8-hours online and a bi-annual update. Training can contribute to Continuing Professional Development with the relevant professional associations.
- Access to all INFANT content and resources to support delivery of group sessions.
- Delivery of INFANT according to the INFANT Facilitator Guide.
- Completing brief 6-monthly feedback (e.g. number of programs, completion rates). This contributes to the evaluation of the program.
In return, the INFANT team will offer you:
- Support for implementation via online resources and 1:1 support from the team.
- Evidence-based, contemporary INFANT program content and resources that reflect best practice.
- Training offered online at set times throughout the year.
- Active promotion of a Community of Practice for supporting shared learnings.
The INFANT team will provide support for this process through 1:1 contact with the team. If you have any questions about setting up INFANT, email infant-study@deakin.edu.au.
Case studies
Some of the LGA sites across Victoria who are currently implementing INFANT, have taken the time to share their experiences and implementation journey. You can read each story in detail by clicking on the pdf links here: