Welcome to the Paediatric Fellow in Community Child Health E-Referral Service.
Currently, our Community Paediatric Clinics are full and cannot take any new referrals until we reopen in February 2021. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
About us
Jacana aims to provide early recognition of children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, to enable specialised developmental assessment, planning for future supports, and optimise outcomes for the child and family.
Jacana sees children from birth to 3 years of age for diagnostic assessment.
The service comprises a multidisciplinary assessment clinic which is supported by our Jacana social worker, nurse, and Aboriginal health professionals.
The team works with families to ensure links with community health supports.
Team
- Developmental paediatrician
- Occupational therapist
- Speech pathologist
- Paediatric psychologist
- Social worker
- Nurse / Aboriginal Nurse
- Clinic coordinator
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor Katrina Harris is a Paediatrician, Head of Developmental and Community Paediatrics at Monash Children’s Hospital and Head of Service for the Jacana – First 1000 Days Service at Monash Children’s Hospital.
She is a member of the National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Advisory group, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Monash University in Paediatrics, and National examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. She has worked and trained in Melbourne, Darwin, Townsville and Nth Queensland Aboriginal communities for over 20 years.
A/Prof Harris has expertise in neurodevelopmental differences; children with challenges in thinking, learning, behaviour, social and communication skills. She has a subspecialty interest in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
A/Prof Harris received a philanthropic grant from the Cybec Foundation to establish a diagnostic assessment service for young children aged 0-3 years who have been exposed to alcohol in utero and their carers.
Jacana Assessment Clinic
- Clinic runs on Thursday mornings at Monash Children’s Hospital
- Each child is seen by a developmental paediatrician and (as needed) a psychologist, speech pathologist and occupational therapist for a comprehensive assessment
- A feedback session is offered to families to discuss their child’s abilities and areas of need
- Separate feedback to early childhood education services is also available
- There is no cost to families
Eligibility Criteria
- Babies and young children aged 0-3 years with confirmed prenatal exposure to alcohol where there are concerns about their current and future development
- Resides in Victoria
- Consent from carer/guardian for referral
- Antenatal enquiries welcomed
Referrals
Secure eReferral by HealthLink is now our preferred method of referral. GPs, obstetricians and paediatricians can refer via HealthLink to:
Monash Health – FASD Service
Attn: Jacana
Find up-to-date information about how to send a referral to Monash Health Specialist Consulting Clinics on the eReferrals page on the Monash Health website.
Enquiries
Email: Jacana@monashhealth.org
Ph: (03) 8572 3773
