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| Dear Friend,
We want to hear from foster carers, relative or kinship carers, guardians and adoptive parents in our NSW Carer Survey 2020. It's an opportunity to have your say, share your experiences and help improve the care experience for all carers. Don't delay, the survey is only open for a limited time.
I am also pleased to announce that the research Standards in training for out-of-home carers: The views of carers in NSW is now available. This is the result of interviews, focus groups and responses to the 2019 Carer Survey and outlines the preferences of carers in how training is delivered.
We are getting VERY excited with preparations for the Foster and Kinship Care Week Picnic, happening VIRTUALLY this year, on Sunday September 13th! It will be here before we know it. This is an exciting and unique ONLINE event with lots of fun for families including competitions, prizes and our Carer Recognition awards. If you know an outstanding carer don’t forget to nominate them.
You could win tickets to the 2020 National Permanency Conference (NPC). This ONLINE event is open to carers and will run on 12-13 October. All are welcome, see below on how to enter the draw.
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| Miriam Moloney
Head of Advocacy, Engagement and Operations
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Standards in Care Research Report Now Available
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| We are pleased to announce that the research commissioned by My Forever Family NSW, undertaken by the University of Sydney, is now available.
Standards in training for out-of-home carers: The views of carers in NSW is the result of Interviews and focus groups with carers across NSW and your responses to the 2019 Carer Survey.
Our thanks go to the research team Associate Professor Amy Conley Wright, David Wilkinson, Bonnie Blythe and Dr Betty Luu at the Sydney School of Education and Social Work Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
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Foster and Kinship Care week PICNIC | Sunday September 13 at 1pm
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Family fun, prizes, entertainment and MORE – join our ONLINE PICNIC.
It's the annual celebration of our fantastic carer community, kicking off Foster and Kinship Care Week, with a virtual picnic. COVID restrictions mean we can't meet in person, so this year we are doing things a little differently.
We'll be joined by the Hon. Gareth Ward, Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, plus some very special guests, entertainment and lucky door prizes - come as your favourite masked character and you could win 'Best Dressed'. And we'll be announcing the winners of our Carer Recognition Awards.
Register now as a family or (socially distanced) group. Tickets are FREE so pack your picnic, dress as your favourite masked character and we'll see you there!
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Nominate for the carer recognition awards!
Do you know a foster or kinship carer in NSW who goes above and beyond for the children and young people in their care?
Nominate them now for the 2020 Foster and Kinship Care Week Carer Recognition Awards!
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WIN tickets to the National Permanency Conference #THRIVE2020
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#THRIVE 2020 National Permanency Conference (NPC) will give you an opportunity to hear from experts, those with lived experience (perhaps our greatest experts!), politicians and government representatives on the experience of children and young people in out-of-home care in Australia. With a focus on providing children with stability through permanency and supports in which to thrive, we are inviting you to take part in this event for change and to input into what we need to become a country that provides this environment for children.
Enter the COMPETITION to WIN tickets to the NPC on our Facebook page!
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Personalised Coaching Online | Last chance!
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Our one-on-one, CONFIDENTIAL, FREE sessions of intensive carer support are finishing at the end of this month so if you haven’t yet booked in, please do, this is a great opportunity to move through challenges you may be facing, in what has been a challenging year. Contact our Carer Support Team to book your session with a trained social worker by email or call us on 1300 782 975.
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Our calendar is packed with great training events and filling up fast! Don’t miss out on training opportunities, webinars and upcoming Online Lounge Rooms.
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Helping Children & Young People to Speak Up
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The Commissioner for Children and Young People in Western Australia has been appointed by the National Office for Child Safety within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to develop resources for children and young people.
The Commissioner's team would like to hear from children, and young people and adults that play a significant role in the lives of children (parents, carers, coaches, teacher, police, youth/community workers, faith leaders and more. Please reach out HERE
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Carer Story | Toula and Peter Finka
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Seven years ago a student in my class was taken into care. He was removed from school and we had to take him to hospital. I had to get my husband to come and get our biological daughters who were seven years old at the time (they attended the same school I was teaching at). As luck would have it my husband saw the little boy and that became his turning point. It made us both very upset and angry at the situation, and it became a pivotal point for us. We started the process of applying to be respite carers almost immediately.
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Share your Story!
We enjoy sharing Carer stories in our monthly newsletter. Let’s hear from YOU!
Email us and let us know a little bit about you and your experience as a carer. We’ll arrange a time at your convenience to share your story.
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Foster the Future FREE online tutoring for high school students in OOHC is NOW available across New South Wales!
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| Applications are now open for online tutoring with Foster the Future, available to high school kids in care across all of New South Wales. Students will be matched with a university student tutor who has excelled in high school and has the relevant knowledge and experience to help kids in OOHC do their best.
Online tutoring is a great, accessible way to ensure kids in care don’t fall behind in their studies, especially if they live in a rural area or have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
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Kylie Anderson | Carer Support
What does a normal day at work look like for you? Covid19 has definitely changed the whole perception of ‘a normal day!’ I now spend my days supporting carers from my home office. The wonders of modern technology affords me the luxury of remaining connected to my colleagues and we are constantly working on ways to better deliver services and support to carers across NSW.
What do you enjoy most about your role? I am passionate about arming carers with the tools and education they need to successfully manage their placements, deliver therapeutic parenting and navigate the OOHC system whilst retaining their sanity! I love talking to carers and sharing in their experience of foster care. I enjoy being able to assist carers in remaining part of the solution and strive to ensure they are supported to achieve optimum outcomes for the children in their care.
What is your favourite location in NSW and why? If I had to choose I’d say the Jervis Bay area but, I love anywhere coastal. There is something about the connection between the sky, sea and land that soothes the soul.
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My Forever Family NSW program is funded by the NSW Government and operated by Adopt Change.
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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
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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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