Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: The Australian government\'s \'Closing the Gap\' (CTG) strategy has been implemented via multiple strategies. We examined CTG policy in early childhood within Southern Adelaide during the first decade of implementation (2008-2018) and critiqued the complexity and challenges of policy that is designed to promote health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children but lacked Aboriginal control.
METHODS: A qualitative case study was conducted in Southern Adelaide, and we interviewed 16 policy actors from health and early childhood education sectors. Thematic analysis revealed key themes to show how policy had been implemented through mainstream structures.
RESULTS: The rapid roll out of the CTG strategy, the limitations of short-term funding, cuts to Aboriginal health services, tokenistic consultation, and the mainstreaming of service provision were key features of policy implementation. The influence of Aboriginal leaders varied across implementation contexts. Participants advocated for services in health and education that are culturally safe to improve health of children, families, and communities.
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the CTG strategy in Southern Adelaide was rushed, complex, and lacking Aboriginal control. This contributed to the marginalisation of Aboriginal leaders, and disengagement of families and communities. A more collaborative and Aboriginal led process for policy implementation is essential to reform policy implementation and address health inequity. SO WHAT?: Findings from this study suggest that policy has continued to be implemented I ways that reflect colonial power imbalances. Alternative processes that promote the recognition of Indigenous rights must be considered if we are to achieve the targets set within the CTG strategy.
METHODS: A qualitative case study was conducted in Southern Adelaide, and we interviewed 16 policy actors from health and early childhood education sectors. Thematic analysis revealed key themes to show how policy had been implemented through mainstream structures.
RESULTS: The rapid roll out of the CTG strategy, the limitations of short-term funding, cuts to Aboriginal health services, tokenistic consultation, and the mainstreaming of service provision were key features of policy implementation. The influence of Aboriginal leaders varied across implementation contexts. Participants advocated for services in health and education that are culturally safe to improve health of children, families, and communities.
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the CTG strategy in Southern Adelaide was rushed, complex, and lacking Aboriginal control. This contributed to the marginalisation of Aboriginal leaders, and disengagement of families and communities. A more collaborative and Aboriginal led process for policy implementation is essential to reform policy implementation and address health inequity. SO WHAT?: Findings from this study suggest that policy has continued to be implemented I ways that reflect colonial power imbalances. Alternative processes that promote the recognition of Indigenous rights must be considered if we are to achieve the targets set within the CTG strategy.
摘要：
目的：澳大利亚政府的“缩小差距”（CTG）战略已通过多种策略实施。我们在实施的第一个十年（2008-2018年）研究了阿德莱德南部儿童早期的CTG政策，并批评了旨在促进土著和托雷斯海峡岛民儿童健康和福祉但缺乏土著控制的政策的复杂性和挑战。
方法：在阿德莱德南部进行了定性案例研究，我们采访了来自卫生和幼儿教育部门的16名政策参与者。专题分析揭示了关键主题，以显示如何通过主流结构执行政策。
结果：CTG战略的快速推出，短期资金的局限性，削减原住民医疗服务，象征性协商，将服务提供纳入主流是政策执行的主要特征。土著领导人的影响力因实施环境而异。与会者倡导提供文化上安全的卫生和教育服务，以改善儿童的健康，家庭,和社区。
结论：在阿德莱德南部实施CTG战略是匆忙的，复杂，缺乏原住民控制。这导致了土著领导人的边缘化，以及家庭和社区的脱离接触。一个更加协作和原住民主导的政策执行过程对于改革政策执行和解决健康不平等至关重要。所以呢？：这项研究的结果表明，政策一直在继续实施，这反映了殖民力量的不平衡。如果我们要实现CTG战略中设定的目标，就必须考虑促进承认土著权利的替代进程。
方法：在阿德莱德南部进行了定性案例研究，我们采访了来自卫生和幼儿教育部门的16名政策参与者。专题分析揭示了关键主题，以显示如何通过主流结构执行政策。
结果：CTG战略的快速推出，短期资金的局限性，削减原住民医疗服务，象征性协商，将服务提供纳入主流是政策执行的主要特征。土著领导人的影响力因实施环境而异。与会者倡导提供文化上安全的卫生和教育服务，以改善儿童的健康，家庭,和社区。
结论：在阿德莱德南部实施CTG战略是匆忙的，复杂，缺乏原住民控制。这导致了土著领导人的边缘化，以及家庭和社区的脱离接触。一个更加协作和原住民主导的政策执行过程对于改革政策执行和解决健康不平等至关重要。所以呢？：这项研究的结果表明，政策一直在继续实施，这反映了殖民力量的不平衡。如果我们要实现CTG战略中设定的目标，就必须考虑促进承认土著权利的替代进程。
