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Dear Friend,

It feels like we have really hit the ground running this year. Last year meant a great deal of change and we learned so much about COVID and carers’ experiences during COVID. We found new ways of doing things and (I hope) you joined us on the journey.

While much of this change helped with reaching and connecting more carers across NSW via online opportunities, many of you told us you missed in-person time with other carers. Many more training opportunities are now available in covid-safe environments, allowing you to catch up with each other, while you increase your knowledge and skills.

We have a new initiative for Aboriginal potential carers, Yarn Sessions. You may have seen an email about them, allowing potential carers to have a yarn and ask questions online and in-person, in the Wellington and Hunter regions. It is about keeping Aboriginal children and young people connected to Country.

I’m sure many of you were looking forward to a break over the holiday season but in between trying to keep up with family commitments and keeping the kids entertained that ‘break’ ends up busier than ever. If you’ve been putting off questions or issues don’t forget to call us. Connect with us and connect with each other. Support, training, coaching, our online library and resources – all waiting for you. Ring us to see how we can support you better.

Lastly, I want to thank you again for your amazing and honest contributions and insights about caring in the NSW Carer Survey 2020. We hope to share the findings with you in the very near future.

Best wishes,

Miriam Moloney
Head of Advocacy, Engagement and Operations

Yarn Sessions

You may have heard about our Yarn Sessions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander potential carers.

These Yarn Sessions are an invitation to people who may be interested in becoming carers but are not sure what’s involved or would like to ask questions.If you know someone who may be interested, please share the event details with them.

Find out more

Rewards program for carers

Have you signed up to access Rewards? As a member of the My Forever Family NSW Carer Portal you can access our exclusive rewards program. There are discounts at major retailers such as Woolworths, Coles and Priceline just to name a few. For more information on how to register visit our website and don’t forget to bookmark the rewards website for future use.

Find out more

Sector updates

NGO Permanency Practice Framework
The NGO Permanency Practice Framework is underway and is a guidance tool that has been developed by the Parenting Research Centre and DCJ to help children and young people experience safe, predictable and reliable care in their day-to-day.

Download

Active Kids vouchers
NSW Government currently has an initiative to help kids get active or pursue their creative skills. The Active Kids program provides two $100 vouchers for parents, guardians or carers for school-enrolled children to use towards sport or recreational costs each year. The Creative Kids initiative provides parents, guardians and carers a voucher with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each student who is enrolled in school. To see if you’re eligible please visit the Service NSW sites.

Apply for an Active Kids voucher

Apply for a Creative Kids voucher

Resources

Personalised coaching
We are still offering FREE, CONFIDENTIAL one-on-one personalised coaching online for all carers. This can be helpful for carers looking for some extra one on one support. If you’d like to take advantage of this service, get in touch with our Carer Support Team by email or call us on 1300 782 975 to book a session with a trained, experienced professional.

Email Us

Foster the future
Foster the future is now offering free, one-on-one tutoring for children who are in care, from kindergarten to year 12! The service is available in person for students in Greater Sydney and online for the rest of NSW.

Find out more

New carer support groups
We have recently added new carer support groups on our website, including groups in the Byron and Tweed Heads areas. Visit our website for a full list of groups and how to contact them.

Find out more

COVID intensive learning support program
The NSW Government recently announced new funding for free small-group tuition for students who need it most, including vulnerable students. It commenced in Term One 2021 and will continue throughout the 2021 school year. The Intensive Learning Support Program will be delivered to every NSW Government school - primary, secondary and specialist schools.

Find out more

TAFE NSW Disability Support Services
TAFE NSW may be able to offer you services and support to help support your child’s studies if they have learning disabilities or experienced any learning hardships during COVID. They provide support services that are free and confidential to prospective students.

Find out more

Foyer Central living options
Foyer Central is a newly constructed campus comprising of 53 studio apartments located in Chippendale, Sydney. If you know of, or care for a young person between the ages of 18-22 who has experienced out-of-home care they may be able to apply to live in this subsidised, supported space.

Find out more

Research for carers
Researchers at Australian National University are inviting you to contribute valuable information about the caregiver-child relationship and carer and child wellbeing. They are inviting six foster carers to complete a survey and a 5-minute interview (either in-person or online). You will receive a $40 gift voucher as a small token of appreciation. Interested in learning more?

Please contact Alison Hassall (Clinical Psychology PhD Candidate) at Email or message: www.facebook.com/anu.study.33

Teenage Education Payments in 2021
The TEP provides eligible carers and guardians of young people aged 16-18 years in out-of-home care, with up to $12,000 to support young people to remain engaged in school or training. You will be paid $1,500 each term, ideally at the beginning of the school term, for a maximum of 8 terms.

Teenage Education Payment Guidelines

Financial assistance to access childcare
In 2021, most carers will not have to pay preschool fees for their child to attend preschool for up to 15 hours of free care per child each week (2 days a week). During COVID, the NSW Government announced that 700 NSW funded community preschools have been funded to provide free preschool. Carers do not need to apply for this funding, as funding is applied for by the preschool.

Find out more

My Forever Family NSW program is funded by the NSW Government and operated by Adopt Change.

The My Forever Family NSW newsletter is produced by the Communications team.

If you would like to contribute, have your say or simply ask a question, please

Disclaimer: The information and advice provided in this document/website is general information. It may not apply to a particular case, and as such, must not be taken as legal advice.

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