EarlyStart - Diagnosis Support Learning Links, in conjunction with Koorana Child & Family Centre and Bridges for Learning, provides the EarlyStart Diagnosis Support Program in the South East, Inner West and South West regional areas of Sydney. The funding enables Learning Links, Koorana and Bridges for Learning to provide parents with children under six years with up to eight fully funded sessions of family counselling and support at a very critical and challenging time when they are seeking a diagnosis for their child or have recently had a diagnosis of a disability.

The time of diagnosis of a disability in a child can be a very confusing and emotionally overwhelming for both parents and their families. Support at this time can be critical in understanding the nature and implications of the disability and in accessing appropriate services. Many families find it difficult to negotiate an often complex service system. The support of a family counsellor at this time can help families develop new ways of addressing the needs of their whole family.

This service is primarily home-based and  interpreter services can also be made available if required.
 
Referrals can be made by parents or guardians themselves, paediatricians, diagnostic assessment teams, hospital staff, child and family teams, GPs, social workers, health professionals, specialists and other service providers.  They can be made directly to the service in the area in which the family lives.

Local service contacts and areas of service

South East Sydney 
Local Government areas: City of Botany Bay, City of Sydney, Hurstville, Kogarah, Randwick, Rockdale, Sutherland, Waverley and Woollahra.
Contact: Deb McEvoy-Herbert, Learning Links (02) 8525 8234

South West Sydney
Local Government areas: Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool and Wollondilly.
Contact: Monique Cannon, Learning Links (02) 8783 7111

Inner West Sydney
Local Government areas: Ashfield, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Leichhardt, Marrickville and Strathfield.
Contact: Koorana Child & Family Centre Family Services (02) 9750 4100

Wingecarribee Shire
Contact: Shivawn Davis, Bridges for Learning (02) 4861 4054