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Launch of Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care
Today OzChild, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa J. Griffiths and Executive Director Services & Practice, Michelle Van Doorn joined other members of the National Foster Care Sustainability Group, Families Australia and Federal Members of Parliament and Senators to launch the Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care in Canberra.
The official launch saw the group meet with foster carers and young people with an experience of foster care in the Enid Lyons Alcove, Parliament House, to advocate for small changes to the foster care system.
The National Foster Care Sustainability Group is focusing on three main policy changes across the sector:
- Prioritised access to medical and therapeutic support for young people in foster care: Better access and financial supports to meet the needs of all children in out-of-home care, equivalent to a Veteran Gold Card.
- Reduced financial pressures on foster carers: Raise the ATO tax-free allowance threshold for foster carers, so jurisdictions can better administer their system
- Equitable leave entitlements for foster carers: Change the National Employment Standards to help foster carers in paid employment to start or continue fostering.
These changes are designed to ease the financial burden on foster carers and provide fairer workplace entitlements so that every child in foster care can access the support they deserve.
“Without implementing these necessary federal changes, the number of foster carers across the country will continue to decline, leaving more vulnerable children without a home-based environment to care for them,”
Chief Executive Officer of Families Australia, Jamie Crosby.“These reforms are a smart investment in the future of Australia’s children. It’s time to give foster carers and children in foster care the fair go they deserve.”
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Acknowledgement of Country
OzChild acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work. We acknowledge their cultures are living ones, which relate to their ongoing connection to all things living and non-living on land, sea and sky.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present.
May the children of today lead us to a brighter tomorrow.
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