Canberrans can apply for grants to put infants and toddlers on the path to lifelong health and wellbeing.

The $1 million Healthy Canberra Grants: Focus on Supporting Children and Families fund programs that use a population health approach to optimise the healthy development of babies and children from conception to two years of age (the first 1000 days).

More ACT children are developmentally vulnerable in physical health and wellbeing, social competence, and emotional maturity since 2015, according to the 2018 Australian Early Development Census.

Reversing this trend is a priority for the ACT Government.

“Because the brain is at a vital stage of development, the earliest days of a child’s life are crucial for developing physical, social, and emotional health and wellbeing,” said Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Health.

“These grants are a fantastic opportunity to give Canberra families and their children the best start possible.”

This round of Healthy Canberra Grants will support programs and projects to be delivered between mid-2022 and December 2024.

Applications close on Friday, 11 March. To apply, visit acthealth.smartygrants.com.au.

Focus on Supporting Children and Families is a focused stream of the annual Healthy Canberra Grants through the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program (ACTHPGP).

The other stream in the 2021/22 financial year is Focus on Reducing Risky Behaviours, to prevent sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses.

The Healthy Canberra Grants’ funding priorities are informed by the ACT Preventive Health Plan 2020-2025, which lays the groundwork for reducing the prevalence of chronic disease and supporting good health at all stages of life.