This is the BEST Social & Emotional Skills program I have run in 20 years. The kids love it! Our school is BUZZING – kids, parents and teachers! You just have to get on this Highway!
J.T
Principal
Director, BEST Programs 4 Kids
Email Helen: [email protected]
Helen Davidson has been working in children’s mental health since 1990, taking up a position at Princess Margaret Hospital, and knowing from the moment that she stepped through the doors, she had found her passion. An Occupational Therapist who had been working with blind and visually impaired children, Helen had long had an interest in what helped some children survive and thrive despite sometimes difficult and even dire circumstances, while others with seemingly greater advantage did not.
A Masters Degree in Counselling, a Diploma in Family Therapy and further postgraduate study followed whilst working in all areas of children’s mental health from the crisis end of suicide assessment and treatment to eating disorders, anxiety and depression, in both Australia and the UK.
Helen’s clinical experiences, however, spurred an even greater passion for ways to help families build resilience in their children, leading to the establishment of her own private practice in 2000 and the development of ‘Kidzmix’ – a social and emotional skill building program from which many thousands of children benefitted. Helen’s first book ‘Kidzmix Helping Kids Become Social Heroes’ was published in 2011.
But Helen’s dream was for an even wider impact into the lives of all primary school children across Australia, leading in 2015 to the establishment of BEST Programs 4 Kids – with Claire Orange. Together, Helen and Claire have co-authored and published two social and emotional school curricula: ‘Little Highway Heroes’ (ages 3 to 6 years) and ‘Highway Heroes’ (ages 5 to 12 years) plus the ‘What to do About’ series, comprising Kids’ & Parents’ Guides on ‘Friends, fitting in & all that stuff’ and ‘Bullying, teasing & all that stuff’. Just 2 years after release, many thousands of children in hundreds of schools throughout Australia are using these resources and applauding their practical and effective approach to building skills that all children can – and want to – use. Helen says, ‘And so, the journey continues…’
Director, BEST Programs 4 Kids
Email Claire: [email protected]
Claire is the mum of 4 boys, a therapist, an author, media spokesperson, speaker and a passionate advocate for better outcomes for children everywhere. From writing social and emotional wellbeing resources for children, their families, schools and therapists through to speaking nationally and internationally on children’s social and emotional well-being, Claire is dedicated to raising the bar in children’s preventative mental health.
Graduating as a Speech Pathologist (B Sci Speech & Hearing Science, Hons) in the early 90’s, Claire worked in major teaching hospitals in Perth and then overseas – specialising in school age developmental practice.
The importance of seeing and working with the whole child, their families and their communities became increasingly important in the years of working in community health settings. Additional qualifications in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Resilience Education, Counselling and Parenting Coaching followed.
Claire has worked for 25 years in many settings and in many roles – all focused on helping children towards better language and learning, social, emotional and behavioural outcomes. From schools, to curriculum writing, working in private practice, alongside Paediatricians and Child Psychiatrists through to hospitals, Claire has come to the realisation that a firm foundation of wellbeing is the ultimate predictor of social, emotional and learning success throughout life.
In 2015, Claire partnered with Helen Davidson to form BEST Programs 4 Kids. Together they have co-authored 14 books on Social and Emotional Learning including an Early Years Social Skills Kit and 4 part classroom curriculum linked to the Australian National Curriculum. With a presence in every Australian state, internationally through south-east Asia and most recently in the United Kingdom, Claire knows that there is a collective and growing awareness of the need to teach children early and effectively the skills for life.
As a Community Ambassador for R U OK?, a national not for profit organisation, Claire continues the wellbeing conversations in as many forums as are available to spread the word. Appearing as the resident Parenting Expert on Channel Nine and 6PR-882 radio, Claire knows that children, parents, educators and therapists are ready for the wellbeing revolution.
Claire is a passionate advocate for preventative measures in children’s mental health that help all children and their families to flourish.
Sally Renshaw
Sally Renshaw
School Support Officer, BEST Programs 4 Kids
Sally has worked in the Primary school setting for over 8years. She specialises in working with children with special needs and behavioural issues. A few years ago Sally went to one of our seminars where the program spoke to her, “how can a child learn if they are unhappy”. She felt so excited that she wanted to give every child the opportunity to be a Highway Hero. It was with that enthusiasm Sally became part of the team. Sally encouraged her current school and then others to implement the Program. She is passionate that each child gets a fair go at a meaningful education.
Rebecca Rowland
Rebecca Rowland
BSc (Psychology) Grad Dip Human Services (Counselling)
Associate Trainer – Best Programs 4 Kids
Rebecca has worked within primary schools as a counsellor for 6 years since returning to work after starting her family. Rebecca first came across the Highway Heroes program as a parent and loved the concepts so much she introduced it to the schools she works with where it was well received. Rebecca is passionate about educating children and teachers about children’s mental health and social and emotional wellbeing and loves seeing the difference the use of TOOLS can make when navigating the busy social, emotional and learning Highways.
Mel Challis
Mel Challis
Associate Trainer – BEST Programs 4 Kids
Mel discovered the Highway Heroes program as a parent and enjoyed the practical no nonsense approach so much she jumped at the opportunity to join the team. Having worked in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Coaching for the past 5 years she really appreciates the preventative benefits that come from teaching social and emotional wellbeing skills to children. Not only do these skills help each child navigate the bumps on their highway, they also promote mental health and wellbeing into adulthood. Mel thoroughly enjoys presenting the BEST programs and is eager to spread the strategies to as many people as possible.