CarerLiaisonOfficerUpdate
WelcometotheSpringeditionoftheCarerConnection.
Thiseditionisashortened versionto introduce myself astheCarer LiaisonOfficerandupdateyouonthe Carer Roundtable.Thenextnewsletter willbe abumperedition. Thefocusofthis month’s issueistooutlinewhathappened atthesecondACTCarer RoundtableheldFriday,23August2013.Thenewsletterwillalso giveyouanupdateofwhathappenedsincethefirstRoundtableheld inMarchandwhat isplannedforthefuture.
Lookingtowardstheendofthe yearthereareanumberof eventscomingup.TheNationalFoster and KinshipCareConferencewillbehostedbySydney31October –1November2013.Iexpectthisconference tobeveryworthwhileandIlookforward toattendingandhopetosee some of youthere.CREATEis hostinganationalConference intheACTFromStrengthtoStrength:improvingthe caresystemfor childrenandyoung peoplethroughparticipation, willtakeplaceinCanberra22-24November2013.Grantsareavailableforyoungpeopleandcarerstoattendtheconference.
TherewasagreatturnoutfortheFosterCare ExpoheldSaturday14September 2013attheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderCulturalCentre atYarramundi.Thisjointrecruitmentactivity was an initiativeofBarnardo’sAustralia,Australian ChildhoodFoundation,AnglicareACT,Marymeadand Galilee FosterCare andsupportedbyACTGovernment.KeynoteaddressesfromDrSuePacker,ACTCitizenofthe Year,NoelMcNamara,ManagerTherapeuticServices,AustralianChildhoodFoundationandJuliaClayton,CREATEFoundationwere compellingandinsightful.A FosteringPanel: TheStoriesof FamiliesWhoFosterwasawonderfulwayof developing awarenessofthe needsof vulnerablechildrenandfamilies.Abigthankyoutoallthoseinvolvedformakingthisasuccessfulevent.
Thisyearthemuch anticipatedOCYFS Kinship Care ChristmasPartywillalso beheldon Saturday7December2013attheTuggeranongChildandFamilyCentre.KinshipCarerswillsoonreceiveinvitationstothiswonderfuleventandIam lookingforwardtotheopportunitytobeinvolved,with manyothers,inplanning,arrangingandparticipatinginthisgreatcelebration.
Whilebrief,IhopeyoufindthisCarer ConnectionNewsletterinformative.Ifyouneedsupportorinformation,pleasecontact meon62058357oryou can .
WarmRegards
TeresaTuite
OCYFScarer LiaisonOfficer
CarerLiaisonOfficerProfile
Iam lookingforwardto supportingandliaising with manyfoster andkinshipcarersoverthecomingmonthsasIestablish myselfintheCarerLiaisonOfficerrole.Ihave alreadyhadtheopportunitytoattend somecarereventswhereIhavebeeninterestedtolistentocarerexperiencesandsuggestions.
To letyou knowalittleabout myself, Igrewupand livedinCanberrauntil1986whenImovedtoAdelaidetostudySocialWorkandobtainaBachelorof SocialWork.Iwasfortunatetoworkat theAboriginalFamilySupportService in Adelaidewhichprovidedout-of-home-care(OOHC)servicesfortheAboriginalCommunity inSouth Australia.Ithenworked
asaregionalcoordinatorwiththeagencyprovidingAlternativeCare Services(thecontinuumoffamilypreservation/reunification andfullrangeoffostercareprograms)acrossmetropolitanAdelaide.
Ihavealsoworked in servicesforyoungpeople,homelessness,publichousingadvocacyandearlyinterventionin Adelaide, OOHCinIreland,St Vincent’sMentalHealth Servicein Darlinghurst Sydneyandmore recently,DisabilityACTwhere Iworked ataserviceforpeople with anintellectualdisability,mentalillnessandinvolvementwiththeCriminalJusticeSystem.
Priorto graduatingfromSocialWork,IworkedinremoteNorthEast Thailandfor3.5 years.Iwasresponsiblefordevelopingafamilycentreandoutreachprogramforchildrenandfamiliesfromtheextremelypooranddeprived villagesinthistraditional,agriculturalregionof Thailand.Thischallengingbut wonderfulexperienceenabled metoexperiencelifeand socialdevelopmentworkthroughavastlydifferentlens.Theinsightsfromthisrich learningexperience continuetoinformmyworldviewandapproach to socialworkindifferentsettings.Icontinueto visitand remainconnectedtoNongKhaithroughfriendsandworkcolleaguesfromthelocalcommunityandhaveseenchildrenwhoaccessedourprogram,growintoyoungadultsmakingtheirwayinlife.
Itismypassionforworkingtowardspositivechangethatissustainable,respectfulandparticipatory,thatinspiredmetocompleteaMastersinInternationalSocialDevelopment attheUniversityofNSW.
Ihope with myexperience andknowledge,Icanassistinresolvingyourquestionsor concerns.Please donothesitatetocontactmeon62058357orbyemailat or.
ACTCarerRoundtableUpdate
Firstly,thankyoutoeveryonewhoattendedthesecondACTCarerRoundtable.There wereover30fostercarers,kinshipcarers,outofhomeagencyrepresentativesandOfficeforChildren,YouthandFamilyServicesrepresentativesinattendance.
The afternoonranasaworldcafe style sothatallattendees hadanopportunitytocontributetothefollowingquestions:
1.Whatarethe most importantthingswe needtoknowaboutachildor youngpersonwhentheyfirstcomeintocare?
2.Howcan wegather andstoreimportantpersonalhistoryinformationfor achildor youngpersonabouttheirtime in care?
3.Whatneedstohappenforustoworkbettertogether?
The Roundtable wasanotherhuge successwith carerscontributingtoarangeofdiscussionsabouthowwecanmakethesystembetterforchildren,youngpeopleandcarers.
Firstly,what’shappenedsincethefirstRoundtable....
Weheldthefirst RoundtablebackinMarch2013and wehavelistenedtowhatyouhavesaid.Therehasbeenalotofthingshappeningtotrytoaddresstheissues thatyouhaveraised-
OutofHomeCareStrategy
ThediscussionsfromthefirstRoundtable fedintothe development of anIssuesPapertohelp identifyalltheissuesfacingtheout ofhome caresector.These issueswillthenbe consideredaspartofthe Outof Home
CareStrategy.TheIssuesPaper washandedoutto carersatthesecondRoundtable andisavailableat-
Carersareaskedtoprovidefeedbackon theissuesidentifiedintheIssuesPaperandtoprovide aresponsetothequestions.Carersareinvitedtoprovideawrittensubmissionaboutthe IssuesPaperand/orattendaStakeholderEngagementForumtodiscusstheIssuesPaper.TheStakeholderEngagementForumswillbeheld:
Date:Wednesday18September2013
Time:6.00 –8.00pm
Venue: TuggeranongChildandFamilyCentre,159Anketell St GreenwayACT
Date:Thursday,19September2013
Time:12.00– 2.00pm
Venue: GungahlinChildand FamilyCentre,51ErnstCavanagh St Gungahlin ACT
CareandProtectionServicesrecentlycommissioned theParentingResearchCentreandUniversityofMelbournetoundertakealiteraturereviewofnationalandinternationalbestpracticeisoutofhomecare.TheevidencereviewwillprovideCareandProtection Serviceswitharigorousoverviewoftheevidencetohelpguidethedevelopmentofthe OutofHomeCareStrategy. Theevidence reviewcanbe foundat-
IntegratedManagementSystem
TheCareandProtectionServicesIntegratedManagementSystem(IMS)Projectteamarecontinuingtomakeprogressontheproject.TheIntake andAppraisalmodule isclosertofinalisationwithfacilitateddesktopreviewsbeingconductedwithCareandProtection Servicesstaff.ItisanticipatedthattheIntakeandAppraisalmodulewillgolivein October withthelaunchoftheCareand ProtectionServicesKnowledgePortal.
TheCareandProtectionServicesKnowledgePortalwillbetheonesourceofcurrentpolicyandpracticedirectionforallCareandProfessional Services staff andwillensurestaffare up todate.TheKnowledgePortalutilisesMicrosoftSharePointandwillfacilitatelivefeedbackonpracticefor staff.Thiswillensureourpracticescontinuouslyimproveovertime.
TheManagingPlacementmodulehasnowbeenscopedandworkiscommencing.TheCareandProtectionServices IMSProjectteam haveappreciatedinputfromcarers duringthescopingprocess.Therecent carer’sroundtableprovideddirectfeedbacktotheCareandProtectionServices IMSProjectteamonsomekeyareassuchasinformationattimeofplacement,lifestoryrecordingandongoingcommunication.
TheteamhavebeenundertakingareviewofliteratureincludingreviewsoftheACTsystemfromthe2004‘The Territory asParent’Vardonreview to present,theMunro Review in theUK,theBringingThemHomereportandsimilartoensure what wehave learntin thepastisconsidered.
The gap analysis forthefamily workmodule isnearing completionand developmentofthismodule willcommenceinthenearfuture.TheVoluntaryCareAgreementpolicyandprocedureshavebeendraftedandtheACTChildren andYoungPeople Commissioner willbereviewingit shortly.
TheteamhavedevelopedaseriesofPracticeGuidelinesforCareandProtectionServices staff whichwillcontinuetogrowduringthedevelopmentoftheremainingmodules.PracticeGuidelinessupportCareandProtectionServices staffintheirprofessionaljudgement.PracticeGuidelinesdraftedsofarinclude;Childdevelopmentandtraumaguide; Genograms,eco-maps,timelinesandbehaviouralsequences;Includingfathers;Makingeffectivereferrals;Supportingcontact;Supportingchildrenandyoungpeopleincarethroughtransitions;Parentalprotectivefactorsandfamilyprotectiveresources;andRespondingtoaprenatalreport.
Theteamhasalsobeendevelopingaonepageoverviewofthecareandprotectionsystemflowcharttoassistpeopletounderstandthe careandprotectionprocessfromintaketo leavingcareandpostorder support.Thiswillbeavaluable resource inthefuture.
Theteamcanbecontacted dwelcomefeedbackandideas.
CarerConsultationGroup
Inresponsetoyouwantingustohear thevoicesof carermore theCarerConsultation GrouphasbeenformedandischairedbyBev Orr.The purpose ofthe Carer ConsultationGroupwillbe:
- toprovidetwowaycommunication betweencarersandOCYFS;
- toprovideadvice/feedbacktotheExecutiveDirector,OCYFSonsystemicoutofhomecarematters;and
- mattersfordiscussionand considerationcanberaisedbyOCYFS andbymembersofthe group.
AdditionalRoundtables
ThenextACTCarersRoundtablewillbescheduledfor endofNovember2013 andwilltakeplacein theeveningtocater forthosewhocouldn’t come to the day timesession.
Foster Carer andKinshipCarersGuide
The FosterCarerandKinship CarersGuide iscurrentlybeingupdated andwillcontainthemostuptodateinformationforcarers.
KinshipCarerTherapeuticSupport
OCYFS ispartneringwiththe AustralianChildhoodFoundationto offer therapeuticsupportforkinship carers.Thisis anexcitingopportunityforkinship carerswho mightneedadditional support with addressingthebehavioursyour childoryoungpersonpresentswith.Ifyouwouldlike more informationaboutthisprogrampleasecontactyourKinshipCareSupportworker.
FREERelationshipsAustraliaCounselling–Foster Carers
Based onyourfeedbackOCYFShasextendedtheir contractwithRelationshipsAustraliatoenablefostercarerstoaccesstheirservices.RelationshipsAustraliaofferarangeofcounsellingservicesaboutanyrelationshipthat youmightneed help with.Ifyou wouldliketo accesscounselling please contact RelationshipsAustraliaon 1300364 277.Pleasedon’tforget thisserviceisalreadyfreefor kinshipcarers.
Consistent DecisionMaking
Atthefirst Roundtable carerssaidtherewerelots of issueswiththeconsistencyofdecisionmaking.SincetheRoundtable,Careand ProtectionServicestaffhaveallbeentrainedindecisionmakingandthewaystorecorddecisions.Thetraining includedhowtouse key templateswhicharebeingbuiltintothepolicies andprocedures.
CommunicationsProtocol
TheCommunicationsProtocolwillgosomewayto addresstheissuescarersraiseabout communication.TheProtocolisnowfullyoperationaland willalsobebuilt into thepoliciesand proceduressothatitbecomesstandardpractice.
PositiveFutures,CaringTogetherTraining
Carersraisedtheneedtoreviewthetrainingsupportsofferedtocarers.Amajorprojectunderwayistoreviewthetrainingpackageprovided tofoster carers.Thisprojectisongoingandwillconsiderthefindingsfromboth Roundtablesabouthowthingscanbeimproved.
ACTCarerRoundtableFeedback–23August2013
1.Whatarethemostimportantthingsweneedtoknowaboutachild/youngpersonwhentheyfirstcomeintocare?
Thisquestionfocusedaroundthetypesof informationthatcarerswould likeandthe waytheinformationisprovided.
Therewasadiscussionamongstcarersabouttheneedto accessasmuchinformation aspossible as quicklyaspossibleversuswanting togettoknowthechildoryoungpersonthemselves.
Therewasverymuchaconsensusthatatthestart ofaplacementcarersneedtoknowbasicinformationsuchasage,gender,anyextremebehavioural issues,contactinformationandas muchinformationaboutthechildor youngperson’smedicalneeds.This includedallergies,medications,immunisationrecord,medicarenumberandhealthhistory.Somecarersalsowantedto knowwhythe childhascomeinto careandwhetherthechildoryoungpersonhadbeenexposedtoanythingtraumaticdirectlybeforeplacement.
Astheplacementcontinuedcarersidentifiedtheyneededtobeabletoaccessmoreinformation.Carerswantedtoknowhowtoapplyformedicarecarecards,healthcarecards,passportsandbirthcertificates.Carerswantedtodevelopabehaviourplanto identifyand addressanybehaviouralchangesemergingintheplacement.Somecarerswereinterested in havingcontactwith thechildor youngperson’sbirth family orpreviouscarersto obtainthechild’shistory.Itwas appreciated thismightnotalways be possibleor forthebestas thechild’spreviouscarermay not be objectiveabout the placementwhichcouldimpact onthe newcarer.
Additional informationincludedthechildor young person’splacementhistory,theirlikes ordislikesparticularlyaroundfoodchoices,routinesandbedtimehabits,careplans,contactdetailsforemergencysupport andcaseworkers,theirlifestorybook,thebirth mother’spregnancy historyorfamily’smentalhealthhistory.
Oneparticipant summed up theinformation nicely as ‘theyneededasanythingyou would tell afriend ifyourchildwasgoing overfora sleepover’.
Intermsofhowthe informationisprovidedtothem manyagreed it needtobein writingasparticularlyat thestartoftheplacementthecarermaynotrememberpertinentdetailsbecauseitsatimeofcrisis.CarerswantedCareandProtection Servicestobeasclear aspossibleaboutthepotentiallengthofplacementevenifthisisoverestimated.
Thebiggestsuggestionwastoconsiderhowwe can usetechnologyto share information.Thiswasseenasawayfor carerstobegiven andtoprovide informationaboutthechildoryoungperson.
Thefinalcommentonthis questionwasaboutwhat informationdidCareandProtectionServicesandtheoutofhomecare agencyneed toknowaboutthe carersinordertoplacechildrenand youngpeople.Thiswasintermsofbeingableto support carersto taketheplacement andtokeepthe child oryoungpersonintheircare.Thiswasdiscussedintermsofidentifyingandofferingbothpracticalandemotional supportfor carers.
2.Howcanwegatherandstoreimportantpersonalhistoryinformationforachildoryoungpersonabouttheirtimein care?
Everyone agreeda childor youngperson’shistory is extremelyvaluable andimportantand should becollectedforthe childoryoungpersonthroughouttheirlife.Carerscouldclearlyseetheyhavearole toplayinthe collection ofpersonal historyandinformation giventheyhavethemost contactwiththe child oryoungperson.Itwasalsonoted however, that often information aboutthe childoryoungpersonisnotavailabletocarers,particularlyabouttheirtimepriortocominginto care.Thisinformationwasseenasbeingreallyimportantbuttherewerequestionsabouthowthiscouldbe collectedanddocumentedconsistently.
Therewasagreementthatchildrenandyoungpeopleshouldholdtheirown informationneededbutthisneededtobeconsideredin relationtothe ageofthechild,maturityleveland stageoflife.
Informationwasbroken upintolifestorywork andthoserecordskept‘on file’. Carerssaw theyshould beresponsibleforlifestoryworksuch ascollectingpersonalinformationabouttheirjourneyincare including:
- Photos
- Schoolpictures
- Familyoutings
- Holidays
- Schoolreports
- Memorabilia
- Contactexperiences
It wasagreedthatthechild oryoungpersonshould leadtheprocessandhelptodecidewhatshould be intheirlifestory.
Carers asked for clearguidelinesand training about how tocaptureachild’s lifestory coherentlyandconsistentlybutappreciatingtheindividualchild or youngperson’scircumstances. It wasrecognised some
children’slife storywill be verycomplexastheymoveplacementsorrestoration isattempted.There wasacknowledgement thelifestoryneeded toberespectfulabout thechild’sjourney.Coupledwith trainingwasthesuggestionofaCarerToolkitwhich includesinformationabouthowtodevelop alifestoryforachild oryoungperson.TheToolkit could incorporatetherapeutictoolstoassistthe childoryoungpersonunderstandtheirpastina safeway.
Anotherparttothediscussionwasaboutthe recordsstoredbytheagencyorCareandProtectionServices andhowinformation isshared.Oftendifferentagencieswillholdinformationaboutthe childor youngpersonandthisisn’tshared orusedforindecision making.Therewas adiscussionabout theneed foraprotocolabout sharinginformation.
InformationkeptbytheagencyorCareandProtectionServicesneededtobeconsidered inthecontextofwhoisthe audienceknowingthatchildren andyoungpeoplemaywanttoaccesstheir recordsat somepoint.
Consistentlytherewas athemethat thechild or youngperson’sinformationshould be storedelectronically sothattherecordscouldn’t belost andcould be transferredif thechildoryoungpersonmoved on.Itwasnotedthat ideallythere wouldbe oneelectronicsystemthat storesachild’s informationthat allstakeholderscouldaccessonline.
3.Whatneedstohappenforustoworkbettertogether?
Therewereanumberofthemesthatcamefromthisquestion–
Communication
Carerswouldlikehonestyandtransparencyinthecommunicationwithothers.Caresthought itpertinentthatthey could answer questionsforthechildoryoungpersonsuchas ‘whatwillhappen tome?’
Relationships
Manycarerssawtheneedto invest intherelationshipswithpeople supportingthe childoryoungpersonbybeingrespectful,talkingand listeningtopeoplenot justduring acrisis,actingprofessionally, givingeach otheradvice,beinghonest,sharinginformation,responsive,openpoliciesandproceduresthatarefollowed andsettimeframesthatareadheredto.
Asuggestiontobuildrelationshipswasforcaseworkerstoundertakeaform ofthecarertraining so theyunderstoodwhatcarershavebeentrainedin.
Networks
Carersrecognisetheimportanceoftheirnetworksaroundthemincludingfamilyandfriends.Asuggestionwastoassistcarerstoidentifytheir natural supportsandtodeveloptrainingfor thesepeople.
Caseworkersupport
CarersdiscussedtheroleofCareandProtectionServicesandtheagenciesandhowfewerchangeoversinstaffwouldpositivelyimpactcarersbytherebeingaconsistentcasedirection.Carersalsodiscussedthedifficultieswhen theydon’t havedirectaccesstothechild protectionworker andhowthis can lead toabreakdownincommunicationorduplicationofresponsibilities.Thiswasparticularlyseenduringemergencymedicalsituationswhencarersfelttheyweren’t able tocontact Care and ProtectionServicesafter hoursunitdirectlybuthadtogo throughthe agency.
Asuggestiontoassistcarerswasthedevelopmentof an identificationcardforcarerswhichdetailswhathavingdailycareresponsibilityactuallymeans.
Where to next...
Thefindingsfromthe secondRoundtable willbeusedtohelpthedevelopmentoftheIMS.TheIMSwillseektoincorporate,wherepossible,thosecommentsandsuggestionsbycarersinCareandProtectionServicespolicyandprocedures.Iwill provideongoingupdatesabouthowyourinformation isbeingused andanyotherdevelopmentsinoutofhomecare.
If youhaveanyquestions pleasedon’thesitatetocontact me .WarmRegards
TeresaTuite
OCYFSCarer LiaisonOfficer
SupportsforFosterCarersandKinshipCarers
KinshipCareSupportTeam
Ateamoffoursupportworkerstoprovideguidance,advocacyandsupporttokinshipcarers.
Contact:TeamLeader,JennaSchoer.
Phone:62054966
Email:
Foster Care Association oftheACTInc.
Providessupporttofosterandkinshipcarers.
Contact:PresidentPaulineDusinkWebsite:Email
Grandparent andKinshipCarers ACT Inc.
Providessupporttoallgrandparentandkinship carersthroughouttheACT.Website:
Youcan contactone ofthefollowingpeopleforsupport:
President:MarionLe:62581419
VicePresident:FranLePavoux:0430432210
Secretary:JeanSmyth:62847124
GrandParents ACT &Region
GrandParentsACThavedevelopedtheGrandParentsSupportNetworktohelpgrandparentswhoareraising,orwhoplayasignificantrolein raising,theirgrandchildren.Thegroupmeetsmonthlyat Marymead.
When:SecondWednesdayofeverymonthduringschooltermsbetween12-2pm.FreeLunchprovided.Where:MarymeadChildandFamilyCentre,255Goyder StNarrabundahACT.
Contact:KerriHuettatMarymeadon61625891.
RelationshipsAustralia
RelationshipsAustraliaprovidefreecounsellingforallfostercarersandkinshipcarerslookingafter childrenwhoareundercareundertheDirector-General.CaresareencouragedtocallRelationshipsAustraliatobookanappointment.
Contact:RelationshipsAustraliaon1300364277.
Newsfrom CREATE!
Wehavehadafantasticfewmonthshere at Createwithmanyevents!
ForChildProtectionWeekinSeptember,CREATEcelebratedbypartneringwithAikidoInstructorstorunaSelfDefenceWorkshopforchildrenaged5–12years!
Wehadagreatturnout,with20childrenparticipating.Itwasrewardingtoseetheirself confidence getaboost,andwatchthempracticeassertiveandappropriateresponsestosituations.Itwasalsoawesometoseethemlearntorollpeoplelikeprosiftheywerefacingseriousthreats!
WecelebratedNAIDOCweekwithanartday,andwereimpressedbythecalibreandspontaneityoftheyoungpeople’s art!Consequently wehavesomeamazingworknow displayedinouroffice.Dropinto see us (andoursmallexhibition!)atanytime.
Werecentlyheldaconsultationfor“AvoidingHomelessness”forourolder
youngpeople whohavetransitionedfromcare.We
areintheprocessof compilingthese interviewsintoareporttohelp improvehousingawarenessandoptionsfor youngpeople.We have an upcomingconsultation,“PlacementSatisfaction”to helpidentifywhat makes agoodplacementfromtheperspectiveofyoungpeople.
Wealsoholdmonthlyorbi-monthlyYouth AdvisoryGroupstogivepeopleaged 12-25thespacetohavetheirvoiceheardregularlyaboutissuesaffectingyoungpeople in care.Theserangefrommorestructureddiscussionbased meetings,toachance to just get togetherandhangoutwith otheryoungpeoplewith careexperiences.Forexample,inrecentmeetingsyoungpeopleprovidedfeedbackaboutinformationgiventoyoungpeoplewhentheyfirstentercare,andanothertimeweplayedPitchnPuttgolf.For upcomingYouthAdvisoryGroupswehave sessionsplanned withcommunityartistandalaserskirmish withtheACT YoungPeople’sCommissioner AlasdairRoy!Pleaseget incontact foranyinquiresabout upcomingevents! (Thepicturebelowisfromthego-kartingtocelebratetheendofCreateYourFutureprogram!)
InNovember,CREATEis
hostingaNationalConferenceintheACT-FromStrengthtoStrength:ImprovingthecaresystemforyoungAustraliansthroughparticipationattheNationalConventionCentre,
November22- 24.Theconference isopentoallchildren andyoungpeople incare in Australia,theirCarers,governmentofficialsandthoseworking inthesector.Theoverallpurposeistoprovide anationalforumforyoungpeoplewith acare experiencetolearn and grow,andtoconnectwiththeirpeers,andthoseworkingwithinthesystem.Itisalsoanavenueforyoungpeople withacareexperiencetofeelempowered,informed,andtohaveasay andbeheard. We wouldloveto seeastrongturnoutfrom ACTandthe region. Pleaseseetheattachedlink to the Carer’s andyoungperson’sgrantapplicationtogoto theconference!
Ifyouwouldlikeyourchildtogetabirthdaycard,magazines,entercompetitionsandbeinvitedtoallCREATEactivities –pleasemakesuretheyaremembersofClubCreate and thatwehaveyourcurrentaddress!
GrandparentandKinshipCareIncACT
WrittenbyFranLePavoux
The Grandparentand Kinship Care(GKA)ACTInc isaselffundedsupport andadvocacygroupforgrandparentandkinshipcarers.GKAisrunbykinshipcarersforkinshipcarers.
Weareasmallbuteffectivegroup ofkinshipcarerswho wereformedwhencareandprotectionfirst calledforkinshiprepresentativestovolunteertoadvisethedepartmentonspecifickinshipissues.Sinceourinception,wehavebeen unsuccessful inourrequestsfor fundingsohave continuedon intheabsence offinancial supportand relysolelyon membershipfeesforoperationalcosts.Thisgrouprecognisedtheabsence of anytransparentadvocacyforkinshipcarersandthatkinshipcareisquitedifferenttofostercareandassuch, therearemanyissueswhichrequiretheinsightofakinshipcarertoacknowledgeand representcarers.
Todate,wehaveapivotal roleindepartmentalpolicydevelopment,meetwiththedepartmentalexecutivequarterly,contributetodepartmentalprojectsandhaveassistedmanygrandparentandkinshipcarersintheirrolesascarerswhentherehavebeen situationsthatcarershaverequiredsupport.
Ifyouthinkyoumightbenefitfromongoinginteractionwithother kinshipcarersorwould liketoassistinsupportingotherkinshipcarers,we meetonthefirst Mondayof eachmonth at6.30pm.
almembershipfeesare$5.
ONLINE SAFETYANDCYBERBULLYING
THISEVENT ISNOTTO BEMISSED –ITWILLCHANGEYOURTHINKING
PRESENTEDBYAFORMERONLINEUNDERCOVERPOLICEDETECTIVE
SIMPLEMEASURESTOCREATEAFUN,EDUCATIONALANDPOSITIVEONLINEEXPERIENCEWITNESSTHEREALLIFEDANGERSANDRESPONSIBILITIES
DISCOVERHOWESSENTIALANDIMPORTANTYOURROLEIS
SOCIALNETWORKING,THELAWONLINE,IDENTITYPROTECTION,CYBERBULLYING,SEXTING–GAMING
Where:80BeaurepaireCresHolt(AnglicareCommunityhallbackcarpark)When:11October2013
Time:6pmfor6.30startanddinner
RSVPphoneLitmusofficeon:62788444by4October2013PresentedbyInternetEducationandSafetyServicesSponsoredby Litmus ACTaprogramofAnglicare
ThisyeartheNationalFosterandKinshipcareConferencewillbehostedbySydney.
Theconferencewillruninconjunctionwiththe2013TellSomeoneWhoCaresConference.
Asinpreviousyears,theOfficeofChildren,YouthandFamilySupport(OCYFS)isprovidingfundingforanumberofcarerstoattendthisconference.Ifyouareinterested,pleasecontacttheCarerLiaisonOfficeron62058357.
Formoreinformationabouttheconferencepleasevisit
2542e6f1ed384f02ab545937a3e19b0b.aspx