Published Wednesday, 29 November, 2006 at 10:52 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Funding available for Foster and Kinship Care Week 2007
Foster and kinship carers and community groups are being encouraged to apply for funding to hold an event during Foster and Kinship Care Week 2007.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said Foster and Kinship Care Week was an important opportunity to thank some of the state’s most dedicated volunteers.
“Each year, the state’s 2900 foster and kinship carers contribute an enormous amount of time, effort and love in caring for vulnerable children and young people,” Ms Boyle said.
“Foster and Kinship Care Week aims to acknowledge this enormous contribution, celebrate carers’ achievements and successes, and promote the benefits of foster care to the broader community,” she said.
Foster and Kinship Care Week 2007 will be held from 11-18 March 2007. The Department of Child Safety provides funding of $44,000 for community grants, which are jointly coordinated by PeakCare Queensland and Foster Care Queensland.
Foster Care Queensland Director Anne-Louise Stonehouse said local events made Foster and Kinship Care Week a truly statewide event.
“Last year we had great participation from local organisations throughout the state, with 75 groups holding their own events during the week,” Ms Stonehouse said.
“In 2007 we are hoping to continue this great level of participation, with a total of $44,000 in grants up for grabs,” she said.
The grants will consist of up to $500 for small events and up to $2000 for larger events.
PeakCare Executive Director Gail Slocombe said this year organisers were looking for events that not only recognise the contribution of foster carers, but also provided carers with training opportunities.
“Each year, we look for events that celebrate the great contribution foster and kinship carers make to the community,” Ms Slocombe said.
“However for 2007 we are also want to broaden the scope of events, to include training and information sharing opportunities for carers.”
Ms Slocombe encouraged organisations to think outside the box when submitting their applications for funding.
“Last year, a number of organisations held joint events, allowing them to pool their funding, human resources and expertise,” she said.
Foster and Kinship Care Week is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to supporting the state’s foster carers.
The government recently announced that foster carers would receive increases of up to $100 a fortnight in allowances from 1 January 2007. For the first time carer payments will also be increased every January according to CPI increases.
Applications for funding for Foster and Kinship Care Week close on Friday, 12 January 2007.
Application forms are available at www.childsafety.qld.gov.au or www.peakcare.com.au/news or phone PeakCare Queensland on
3368 1050 or Foster Care Queensland on 3268 5955.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said Foster and Kinship Care Week was an important opportunity to thank some of the state’s most dedicated volunteers.
“Each year, the state’s 2900 foster and kinship carers contribute an enormous amount of time, effort and love in caring for vulnerable children and young people,” Ms Boyle said.
“Foster and Kinship Care Week aims to acknowledge this enormous contribution, celebrate carers’ achievements and successes, and promote the benefits of foster care to the broader community,” she said.
Foster and Kinship Care Week 2007 will be held from 11-18 March 2007. The Department of Child Safety provides funding of $44,000 for community grants, which are jointly coordinated by PeakCare Queensland and Foster Care Queensland.
Foster Care Queensland Director Anne-Louise Stonehouse said local events made Foster and Kinship Care Week a truly statewide event.
“Last year we had great participation from local organisations throughout the state, with 75 groups holding their own events during the week,” Ms Stonehouse said.
“In 2007 we are hoping to continue this great level of participation, with a total of $44,000 in grants up for grabs,” she said.
The grants will consist of up to $500 for small events and up to $2000 for larger events.
PeakCare Executive Director Gail Slocombe said this year organisers were looking for events that not only recognise the contribution of foster carers, but also provided carers with training opportunities.
“Each year, we look for events that celebrate the great contribution foster and kinship carers make to the community,” Ms Slocombe said.
“However for 2007 we are also want to broaden the scope of events, to include training and information sharing opportunities for carers.”
Ms Slocombe encouraged organisations to think outside the box when submitting their applications for funding.
“Last year, a number of organisations held joint events, allowing them to pool their funding, human resources and expertise,” she said.
Foster and Kinship Care Week is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to supporting the state’s foster carers.
The government recently announced that foster carers would receive increases of up to $100 a fortnight in allowances from 1 January 2007. For the first time carer payments will also be increased every January according to CPI increases.
Applications for funding for Foster and Kinship Care Week close on Friday, 12 January 2007.
Application forms are available at www.childsafety.qld.gov.au or www.peakcare.com.au/news or phone PeakCare Queensland on
3368 1050 or Foster Care Queensland on 3268 5955.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477