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Dear Friend

More than halfway through the year, another school holiday period done and dusted – I hope you had some time to regroup. Now many of the children are back at school, back in child care and things are back to normal…. sort of!. With COVID chasing our tails, it is timely to review the list of services to support carers available on our website.

Also don’t forget information for carers about the adjustments made and support for carers from the Department during the pandemic.

Service NSW also has a fairly comprehensive update, including financial supports for families.

To all our valued caring community – thank you for all your responses to last year’s NSW Carer Survey. We use this information to inform and build on our support and services to carers. Your voices are the most important when it comes to understanding what is best for carers and what changes we need to see made. We are going to be launching the NSW Carer Survey 2020 in a few weeks – please make sure that you have your say and together we can advocate for carers.

Great news! Our very popular personalised coaching has been extended until the end of August, or until fully subscribed. See below for further details!

Miriam Moloney
Head of Advocacy, Engagement and Operations

Become a Part-time Carer

We have had a wonderful response to our call for part time carers. Thank you to everyone who shared this campaign with your friends and family. If you or someone you know can open their home to a child one weekend a month - even a weekend here or there - or during school holidays, share this video with them and ask them to call us.

Watch Now

Sector Update

Services Australia
At the end of each financial year, Services Australia (Centrelink) balances each customer’s Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to make sure they received the correct amount during the year. Services Australia do this by checking Carers actual income against the income estimate Carers provided.

Learn More

Personalised Coaching Online – Extended
We have good news! Our one-on-one, CONFIDENTIAL, FREE sessions of intensive carer support have been extended until the end of August.

If you haven’t yet booked in, please do, as this is a great opportunity to move through challenges you may be facing, in what has been a challenging year. Coaching for carers is only available for a limited time so contact our Carer Support Team to book your session with a trained social worker by email or call us on 1300 782 975.

Hurry, coaching is only available until the end of August, or until fully subscribed.

Can You Help Jessie?

We’re supporting Key Assets in looking for a carer in the Wollongong or South West Sydney area.

To enquire about caring for Jessie, please contact:
Rebecca Debreceny
Email

Help with Research

Are you a grandparent caring for grandchildren full time? If you are, or know someone who is, and willing to be part of a research project, you're invited to participate in: Exploring the impact of current policy and payment for Grandparent carers in NSW. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of the NSW Supported Care Allowance and associated policies on grandparent carers.

If you would like to know more please contact:
Oliver Loffelman (Student Researcher)
Phone: 0448 877 347 / Email

Guide to Child Safe Standards Released

The Office of the Children’s Guardian has created a guide to help organisation implement the Child Safe Standards recommended by the child abuse royal commission and endorsed by the NSW Government.

There is also an update on training and resources around ONLINE safety, which is very relevant for Carers and kids during COVID-19.

Carer Story | Margi Garretty

As a semi-retired empty nester, Margi Garretty could happily be looking forward to some “down” time at this stage in her life but instead...

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.

Training

No surprises, our training and event calendar is starting to fill up! Make sure you don’t miss out on training opportunities and Online Lounge Rooms in July and August. Check out the latest listings on our website.

Carer Support FAQ's

As we head into the start of a new school term, a reminder that you can access details for the Teenage Education Payment (TEP). The TEP is a made to carers and guardians of 16-17 year-olds to assist in education, training and apprenticeships.

You can find payment guidelines and the application form on the DCJ website.

CREATE Foundation – Speak Up

Do you know a young person aged 14-25 years who is in care, or has had a care experience and would be keen to take part in a variety of leadership and speaking opportunities in the future?

Speak Up is a workshop running across three days that will equip young people with the skills to SPEAK UP for themselves and others to advocate for positive change. To find out more about CREATE visit their website or email.

To register:

22nd August | Password: LEADER1
5th Septembe | Password: SUP2
31st October | Password: YC

Team Member Profile

Robyn Holden | Recruitment Officer

What does a normal day at My Forever Family NSW look like for you?

I don’t think there is such a thing as a “normal” day. Every day, anything can happen, every day is different.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy listening to the potential carers who phone in or leave an enquiry on the website. Everyone has a different story. They are usually so grateful that you are able to get them started on the process of becoming an authorised carer. I also like problem solving if the process has stalled. I like to get them back on track again. The highlight is when they become an authorised carer. I think, hopefully that is going to become another safe and loving home a child can go to.

What is your favourite location in NSW and why?

My favourite location in NSW is Port Stephens. I love the fact that it is not too commercialised. There is also an abundance of wildlife you can encounter there. Last time I was there I saw a miniature penguin swimming up and down the shore and a koala in a tree opposite a new housing estate. I just hope it can remain there and won’t be too impacted by development.

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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