- Children’s Health Queensland’s (CHQ) Connecting2u program is expanding to support Queensland parents of children aged from birth until five years old (previously up to two years old).
- The statewide service offers short, culturally inclusive and easy to read text messages to support the health and wellbeing of infants and their parents.
- The expanded program will also connect regional families in Darling Downs, Wide Bay and Torres and Cape areas with local healthcare, education and social services.
- Now in its tenth year, Connecting2u has supported more than 8,000 new mothers and fathers across Queensland.
More Queensland parents will be offered support during the most critical time of their child’s development through the expansion of a text messaging service by Children’s Health Queensland.
Connecting2u is a free messaging service that provides timely information, tips and health check reminders for new parents and carers to keep their child safe, healthy and strong.
The statewide program has supported more than 8,000 new mothers and fathers across Queensland since its launch in 2014.
In 2024, the service is expanding to provide health reminders to parents and carers for the first 2,000 days of their child’s life (up to 5 years old) on topics including self-care, bonding and attachment, brain development and immunisation reminders.
The expanded service is predicted to recruit up to 5,000 new families and 350 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers across Queensland in its first four months.
Under the project expansion, CHQ has partnered with Darling Downs, Wide Bay and Torres and Cape hospital and health services to deliver localised messaging to connect regional families to services closer to home. Messaging is also tailored to parents and carers who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
The initiative is funded through the Queensland Government’s $67.5 million Connected Community Pathways program.
From today, parents and carers can register for Connecting2u via the CHQ website: childrens.health.qld.gov.au/Connecting2u
Quotes attributable to Children’s Health Queensland Chief Executive Frank Tracey
“The first 2,000 days in a child’s life are critical for their physical, mental and social development. We have a unique window of opportunity to help shape their experience during this time and have a positive impact on their long-term health trajectories.
“By providing new mums and dads with clear, consistent and strengths-based messages, Connecting2u is helping parents feel more confident, reassured and empowered and providing Queensland children the best start to life.
“The program is part of our commitment to ensuring that all Queensland children and their families have access to the best care, no matter where they live.
“Under the expansion, we’re partnering with Darling Downs, Wide Bay and Torres and Cape hospital and health services to connect more regional families with health, education and social services, closer to home.”
Quotes attributable to the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll
“Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service are excited to be a part of the project’s expansion and we look forward to reaching more local families with relevant and helpful health information.
“As a health service we are committed to improving the utilisation of services for First Nations consumers.
“Connecting2u assists by sending links to connect parents and carers with local health, education and social services in our area.
“I strongly encourage new and expectant parents in the Wide Bay to sign up now to receive free text messages with information on accessing local support services as well as tips and health check reminders to support their baby’s growth and development.”
Quotes attributable to the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Rex O’Rourke:
“I welcome the fact that Connecting2u will provide culturally safe messaging to new and expecting parents in our region.
“The program has been working with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to ensure that the messages are appropriate and relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The first 2,000 days of a child’s life is a key focus for our Hospital and Health Service and I welcome the additional support that Connecting2u will provide.”
Quotes attributable to Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM
“The early years for children are really foundational, not just for the child, but also the parents.
“As it has done successfully in other parts of the South East corner, the Connecting2u program will provide additional and reassuring support and information to families across the Darling Downs and South Burnett.”