Author: OzChild

The marking of 26 January is an important date in Australia’s history, but, celebrating the arrival of the First Fleet conjures feelings of both pride and pain: there is so much to celebrate about Australia – but for many, “Australia Day” is a difficult day for mourning.

For the second year in a row the Greater Shepparton Foundation has supported OzChild’s SafeCare program during what can often be a difficult time of year.

OzChild volunteer and soon to be centenarian, Aubrey (Aub) Gamble has led an exciting and fulfilling life that includes a quarter of a century of volunteer work.

This Foster Care Week we join in the call for carers to be supported with the basics such as birth certificates and Medicare cards, to be unburdened by the financial pressure to pay for health and education expenses that aren’t covered by the care allowance.

In Victoria, the growth in OOHC is the fastest in the nation – a grim reality for the state which has endured the harshest and longest lockdowns. With more than 45,000 children already in OOHC across Australia, an additional 4,500 children are estimated to enter OOHC because of the pandemic – put simply, we do not have enough carers.

This year the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) is calling for fair treatment for all Australian children, by ensuring every family and community has what kids need to thrive and be healthy.

Treatment Foster Care Oregon (TFCO), a specialised foster care program has been ‘breaking the cycle’ for children in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland who, through no fault of their own, have ended up in residential care or alternative accommodation.

This year the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) is calling for fair treatment for all Australian children, by ensuring every family and community has what kids need to thrive and be healthy.

OzChild is celebrating the commitment of the Victorian Government to fund its evidence-based program, Functional Family Therapy – Child Welfare (FFT-CW) program.

On Tuesday 4 August across the nation we celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

Our ability to effect real change is not being met. The right to self-determination by Indigenous communities through the delivery of high-quality, culturally safe, and responsive programs and services that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country is not being delivered.

OzChild President and champion for vulnerable children, young people and families and people living with type one diabetes, Helen Maxwell-Wright has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her dedication to improving the health and well-being outcomes of others.