About JAFA
The Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA) is the primary organisation representing children with juvenile arthritis and their families in Australia. It was named Emerging Not-for-Profit (NFP) of the Year in the 2021 Third Sector Awards.
JAFA is a fully registered national charity with DRG1 status.
It was founded in 2019 in response to the urgent need for a national voice dedicated exclusively to representing and addressing the needs of children and adolescents with arthritis and related rheumatic diseases (referred to collectively by JAFA as juvenile arthritis) and their families and carers.
A message from our Founders..
- PROFESSORS RUTH COLAGIURI AM & STEPHEN COLAGIURI AO
JAFA’s primary aims are to:
- Raise awareness of juvenile arthritis among politicians and government, the education sector, the broader community and potential funders.
- Lobby governments to provide optimal and accessible health care and support for children and adolescents with juvenile arthritis.
- Influence and partner with funders to invest in research into the causes, treatment, care and possible cure for juvenile arthritis.
What we do
1. Supporting families, building community
- Gathering and disseminating relevant, trusted information to and from the JAFA Community.
- Hosting Online Symposia for parents and older children on critical issues in juvenile arthritis treatment and research, and how to navigate the health system.
- Linking children with arthritis through KidsConnect, a secure, purpose-built online ‘play space’ where they can meet and share experiences with peers.
2. Political advocacy to improve services and support
JAFA conducts ongoing political advocacy campaigns to improve health policy, services and support for juvenile arthritis. Examples include:
- A national campaign to Stop Pain and Disability (from childhood arthritis).
- Awareness raising events in Parliament House, Canberra and elsewhere.
- State and Territory campaigns to increase the paediatric rheumatology workforce.
- Specific causes eg citrate free humira and submissions in response to public consultations.
3. Raising and leveraging research funding
JAFA works with government, private partners and the paediatric rheumatology community to leverage and raise funds for research to:
- Understand and track the prevalence of juvenile arthritis.
- Assess the health and financial impacts.
- Improve treatments, services and care.
- Prevent and, ultimately, find a cure for juvenile arthritis.
JAFA Named emerging Not-For-Profit of the Year
The Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA) is delighted to announce that it has been named the Emerging Not-For-Profit of the Year in the 2021 Third
Our Vision
Our Mission
• earlier diagnosis, improved treatment, care and support
• increased professional, community, and political awareness and advocacy
• building communities of influence to fund vital research and programs.
Our Values
• unwavering in its dedication to meeting the needs of children and young people with arthritis, and their families and carers
• open and transparent in all its dealings
• strategic, and receptive to ideas and opportunities
• sensitive to and respectful of diversity and differences
• a supportive collaborator.