Community Support of Families with Young Children During times of Collective Crisis (Research Week 2020)

This presentation will discuss the ways in which community members, often on a voluntary basis, mobilise to support families and young children during times of collective crisis. In recent times in Australia, communities have endured significant challenges, including as the result of fire, floods, drought and the COVID-19 Pandemic. As devastating as these events are, they have also been shown to be potential catalysts for community mindedness and reaching out to those who are most vulnerable or isolated. This presentation will discuss the importance of community connection for families of young children, and examine how we might sustain the renewed commitment to supporting families and children experiencing adversity in the post-COVID-19 world.