Childhood Development Initiative’s 2023 Annual Report is published

CDI’s 2023 report, endorsed by Chair Catríona Rodgers, showcases advancements in transparency, business development, and expanded support for families, underpinned by a commitment to quality and community engagement.

Annual Report 2023

The Board of Management is pleased to present the Childhood Development Initiative’s 2023 Annual Report and audited financial statements for the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) for the year ending 31 December 2023.

This report underscores CDI’s unwavering commitment to transparency, strong governance, and meaningful community support, all made possible by a passionate team of professionals and volunteers.

As Chair of CDI’s Board, Catriona Rodgers proudly endorses the 2023 Annual Report. She emphasises the organisation’s steadfast dedication to openness, accountability, and the community’s well-being and highlights the successful collaboration with committed colleagues that has driven impactful results.

Highlights include:  

Governance and Compliance 

CDI welcomed new members to its governance structures in 2023, including two new Board members, with plans for additional appointments in 2024. The year also marked the successful progression of a succession plan for the Chair of the Board, with Catriona Rodgers taking over from Prof. Mary P. Corcoran in January 2024.  

CDI achieved the Q Mark for Quality Management Systems at Level 3 (the highest award) for the second year running. This prestigious recognition, awarded by the Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA), underscores CDI’s commitment to maintaining and improving its high standards of service delivery and organisational management.    

Compliance remained a priority, with CDI maintaining full adherence to regulatory and legislative requirements, including achieving the Charities Institute of Ireland’s ‘Triple Lock’ certification. The organisation implemented a robust roadmap for data protection compliance, ensuring all staff were trained and well-informed about CDI’s Data Protection Policies.  

An annual Board performance review yielded positive feedback, highlighting the need for greater community representation within Board membership, an issue to be addressed in early 2024. 

Business Development 

2023 was a transformative year for CDI’s Business Development, with the appointment of Jonathon Doyle as the new manager.  

Philanthropic and corporate partnerships enabled various initiatives, including support for families during holiday periods and the Nova Youth Mental Health programme, CDI also secured consultancy contracts, including a review of the national Teen Parent Support Programme and an evaluation of Citywise Education’s interventions. 

Communications 

CDI launched a redesigned website in 2023, enhancing the user experience and accessibility. The new platform offers improved navigation, engaging content, and a dedicated Parents Hub.  

Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation 

CDI reinforced its commitment to high-quality planning, monitoring, and evaluation (P, M&E) practices. Notable achievements include conducting a Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis of the Doodle Den Programme, which demonstrated the programme’s significant social value. CDI also led the operationalisation of the ABC Outcomes Framework, enhancing the impact measurement of early childhood programmes across Ireland. 

Summary of Service Delivery Areas in 2023

CDI — Antenatal to Three Initiative (ATTI)

In 2023, CDI’s ATTI underwent significant change, including a review of its operations and a stakeholder consultation. The findings identified key gaps in support for families with children from antenatal to age three in Tallaght. As a result, ATTI will be integrated into the Powerful Parenting Programme in 2024, streamlining support services for parents of young children. Key targets for the next year include developing referral processes and implementing the recommendations from the ATTI consultation.

CDI — Powerful Parenting Programme

CDI’s Powerful Parenting Programme expanded its reach in 2023, offering support through Parent Carer Facilitators (PCFs) to over 200 children in Dublin 24. Activities included one-to-one meetings, family events, and parent-toddler groups. The programme saw a significant increase in fathers’ participation and extended its services to families in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS). The integration of ATTI into this programme will further enhance its impact in 2024.

CDI — Chit Chat Programme

CDI’s Chit Chat service continued to deliver early intervention speech and language therapy in Dublin 24, including introducing the Talk Boost programme, which supported 128 children. The service also provided training and resources to parents and educators, launched a new resource for children with additional needs, and expanded its team by adding two new Senior Speech and Language Therapists.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at CDI

In 2023, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, in collaboration with CDI, delivered nearly 58,000 books to children in Dublin 24, registering 1,441 new participants. The programme celebrated the milestone of 200 million books delivered globally, with one Dublin 24 child winning a special golden ticket prize. The initiative also hosted a successful family event celebrating the year’s achievements.

CDI — Doodle Den Programme

Doodle Den continued its literacy-focused interventions across Dublin and Limerick during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years. The programme was supported by site visits and updated online resources. It engaged multiple groups of children, ensuring they had access to quality literacy education.

CDI —Doodle Families Programme

Doodle Families, designed to support children’s literacy and learning within the family, was implemented across schools in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years. The programme also expanded to new locations, including Drogheda and Dublin 17, with additional support from Amazon Web Services.

CDI — Doodle STEAM Programme

Following a successful pilot, Doodle STEAM was expanded in 2023 to ten schools, where it received positive feedback for its hands-on, engaging approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The programme is set for further evaluation in early 2024, with expected continued success.

CDI — Nova Youth Mental Health Programme

The Nova Youth Mental Health programme saw significant progress in 2023, including the implementation of the FRIENDS intervention in nine schools and the development of a School Avoidance Toolkit. The programme also began working with families under the Meitheal+ model and engaged in reflective practice to support frontline staff.

CDI — Restorative Practices Programme

The Restorative Practices Programme had a record-breaking year, training over 1,000 participants across Ireland. Highlights include winning the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce’s Best Not for Profit Award, launching Season Two of the RP podcast, and delivering training to the Irish Prison Service and schools in Northern Ireland. The programme’s success continued with new initiatives and the graduation of 31 new RP trainers.

Conclusion 

CDI’s 2023 achievements demonstrate its ongoing commitment to improving the lives of children and families in Tallaght and beyond. The organisation remains focused on delivering high-quality services, fostering partnerships, and advancing its impact through innovative programmes and rigorous evaluation.