About us

Austin Health's CYMHS and Schools Early Action (CASEA) program works in partnership with your school to provide an early intervention program for children aged 5 to 9 and their families.

We usually work with 8 children and their families during each 8-week program.

The program is free and has been developed to help children understand and express emotions, and to be better at problem solving and getting along with others. The program has also been shown to have a beneficial impact on children's academic learning.

Skills covered in the children's group include:

• Recognising emotion in self and others;
• Connecting emotions with behaviours;
• Emotion regulation strategies;
• Making friends and maintaining friendships; and
• The skills of fair play, particularly negotiation and problem solving.

Skills are taught using a fun activity-based group model involving movement, games, discussion and drama.

We can run the program in your school if you're in one of these local government areas:

• Banyule
• Boroondara
• Darebin
• Nillumbik
• Whittlesea
• Yarra

Find out more about the CASEA program.

Our services

We provide the following services:

• Group programs for primary school aged children in Foundation/Prep – Grade 3 to provide early intervention and prevent social, emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Parent groups for parents of children in the program
• Training for teachers and support for the whole school community, to build their capacity to support the program and work effectively with students and their families with regard to children's social, emotional and behavioural development
• Pre, mid and post intervention consultations with teachers of the children who participate in the group, as well as a follow-up meeting 3 months afterwards to support the program's sustainability
• Referrals to other supports and/or agencies for children and families who would benefit from ongoing support after completing the group programs

Related services

• Autism assessments

  We offer autism assessments for children from 2 and 12 years of age, and support children with autism who are using our services.

• Child inpatient unit

  We care for and treat children under the age of 13 years having severe difficulties with emotions, behaviours and relationships.

• Child & youth mental health community teams

  We provide community-based mental health services for children and young people aged 0-25 years.

• Mental health promotion

  We promote the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families/carers through community development, collaborative projects and education and training for community based workers and services.

Have a CASEA program in your school

CASEA is a state government funded initiative. There are no costs to schools or families involved in the program.

Information on our program is sent to school principals from the Department of Education and/or the Catholic Education Office.

A briefing is usually held in Term 3 of the school year for prospective new schools.

The schools to be involved with the CASEA program are usually finalised by the start of the school year.

If your school is interested in the CASEA program and you haven't received information or attended a briefing, please contact us to express your interest.

Phone: 03 9496 3620 

Contact us

CYMHS and Schools Early Action

Phone: 03 9496 3620

Location

Child & Youth Mental Health Service
Marion Drummond Building
Austin Hospital
145 Studley Road
Heidelberg VIC

View location map

Postal address

CYMHS and Schools Early Action
Austin Hospital
PO Box 5555
Heidelberg VIC 3084
Australia