Bold new 5-year strategy to transform childhood dementia
November 2025: Childhood Dementia Initiative today launched ‘The New Frontier: Transforming Childhood Dementia', a bold 5-year strategy to transform childhood dementia from a hidden crisis into a healthcare revolution. Published as the organisation celebrates 5 years since its founding, the strategy will accelerate progress towards its vision: survival and optimal quality of life for all children with dementia.
Outlined in the strategy are the activities, approaches and principles that will deliver 3 key goals by 2031:
- Evidence-based healthcare for children with dementia
- Comprehensive support for children and families
- Accelerated access to treatments
The strategy represents a fundamental shift away from today’s reality where children receive crisis-driven, fragmented health care and support, and where research is too slow.
“This is a pivotal moment,” says Megan Maack, CEO and Founder of Childhood Dementia Initiative. “In just 5 years, together with a network of stakeholders, we shifted childhood dementia from a hidden health crisis into a recognised health priority. Now we have a plan to ensure children finally receive the proactive support that they urgently need and that will give them a fighting chance; and we have identified how families can have access to the right support, and how we can empower health and care professionals to deliver expert care that will help children thrive.”
Some of the groundbreaking initiatives outlined for the next 5 years include:
- Isla Guides: State-based teams providing personalised support and care navigation for families
- National Childhood Dementia Unit: Australia’s first virtual centre of expertise for childhood dementia capability, knowledge and data while delivering significant social and economic returns
- The Childhood Dementia Digital Hub: Personalised, accessible information and support for families and those who treat and care for children with dementia
- Health Care Professionals Workforce Development Model: A program to inform, educate and empower professionals
- Leading global change: Establishing international consensus, building a Global Research Blueprint for more efficient clinical trials, and creating a Childhood Dementia Global Index to empower advocacy worldwide
“We are set to deliver transformative solutions that will change the trajectory for every child with dementia in Australia and set the standard globally,” added Maack.
Powering the organisation’s 5-year strategy: a $25 million 5x5 Campaign which sets out to raise $5 million every year.
“This is an opportunity to join us at a new frontier,” says Shivangi Chaturvedi, Director of Development at Childhood Dementia Initiative. “We have an Australia-led innovation that is set to transform global health. Every step, every project, every breakthrough is world-first and so creates exponential impact. This is an extraordinary chance for funders to make their mark with the knowledge that they will not only help children and families today, but save countless lives and prevent suffering into the future.”
