PROJECTS

Blue Skies Initiative

blue skies initiative logo

ABOUT THE PROJECT

What is Blue Skies Initiative?

Blue Skies Initiative is one of 12 Area Based Childhood (ABC) programmes in Ireland that aim to improve outcomes for children and families in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. Blue Skies Initiative operates in the Clondalkin, Balgaddy and Adamstown areas of Dublin.

The ABC Programme has a particular emphasis on improving health, educational and social outcomes. The programme targets investment in evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions to improve the long-term outcomes for these children and families.

Blue Skies Initiative works directly with children and families through a variety of programmes which range from perinatal support, an early literacy home visiting programme, through to parenting your teen programmes. Additionally, we work in collaboration with various other statutory and non-statutory groups through our community-based learning networks and also provide upskilling in Restorative Practice.

To get all the latest news on Blue Skies Initiative work, courses and projects, please check out their social media pages

https://www.facebook.com/blueskiesinitiative/ 

https://twitter.com/BlueSkiesDublin 

 

Our Approaches

Blue Skies Initiative delivery approaches, like all ABC sites, operates at three levels of change:

Frontline delivery of Prevention and Early Intervention services for children and families which support attachment based early child development and emotional well being.

Capacity building, facilitation and support to other service providers to implement evidence-based ways of working.

Systems change efforts with managers and decision-makers at local, regional and national level.

families availed of Antenatal and Postnatal Supports and Programmes

parents completed the Upto2 Programme

children and families graduated from the ParentChild+ Home Visiting Programme

children were provided with the Ready Steady School Transition Programme packs

parents, 10 teachers and 120 secondary school children benefitted from the Understanding Anxiety Workshops

professionals availed of Restorative Practice Training and/or Communities of Practice

Blue Skies Initiative Areas

The project works with children and young people aged 0-18 years and their families, located throughout Clondalkin, Balgaddy and Adamstown.

Referrals can be made directly to one of the Blue Skies Initiative team members either by participants themselves or through local services.

Kind words from you

“I found the workshop excellent, and really calmed down after talking to you about my fears. I also loved all the resources that were sent.”

– Preparing to Parent, Online Pregnancy Workshop

The ABC Programme is a national prevention and early intervention initiative funded by the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration (DCDEI), delivered through the Prevention Partnership and Family Support Programme (PPFS) within Tusla:

Girl holding the "Ready, Steady, School" book by the Blue skies Initiative
Kit with school uniform and the "Ready, Steady, School" book
Kit with uniform, books and the "Ready, Steady, School" book by the Blue skies Initiative
Kid dressed up on World Book Day
Giraffe puppet
ParentChild programme - graduation time
ParentChild plus - graduation day
ParentChild plus - Easter preparations
ParentChild plus programme - Happy girl with a basket of Easter candy
Weekly schedule tables
More Weekly schedule tables
Happy girl holding a star balloon that says Rosie
Baby girl palying with her balloon
Dad playing with a baby
Pamper Pack that Blue Skies initiative provides
Babies - diaper changing and pampering
The "Liitle Humans" manuals - a tool kit for fun filled, educational and engaging groups with children
Laptop with the "Restorative Practices" platform on screen
Image with quote - Babies are not just students. They are also our teachers.
Image with quote - Whatever the question, learning to be connected is a big part of the answer
No two women have the exact same experience in pregnancy but it is comfortingto know that there are intersections - there are places where we can connect.