The Atlas is a key tool that provides support to the WA Local Government Australian Early Development Census Grants Program* an initiative designed to assist WA local governments address the health and developmental needs of children. Integrated data systems such as the Atlas strengthen the program by empowering local governments to implement evidence-based interventions. By leveraging Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data alongside other integrated datasets within the Atlas, local governments can make informed decisions, optimise resource allocation, and implement initiatives that directly benefit their communities.
For example, the Shire of Carnarvon are in the process of developing an Early Years Strategy. Having easy access to AEDC information in the Atlas has been valuable to reference and include as evidence to form a foundation for the strategy. The ability to note comparisons to other regions/states is helpful in highlighting areas of intentional focus for the Shire of Carnarvon community, such as a high percentage of vulnerability in the language and cognitive domain.
*The WA Local Government Early Years AEDC Grants Program is delivered by the WA Department of Education in partnership with the Department for Communities and the Western Australian Local Government Association.
