Published Monday, 02 April, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Funding for community foster care services on the Gold Coast
A Burleigh Heads organisation has received ongoing funding to recruit and support foster and kinship carers who look after indigenous children on the Gold Coast.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle and Member for Burleigh Christine Smith today announced renewed funding of $68,600 each year for three years for Kalwun Development Foster and Relative (Kinship) Care service.
Mrs Smith said: “Children are taken into care because they have been abused or neglected or are at risk and, where possible, we try to place indigenous children with indigenous carers.
“We need the indigenous community to help with that and Kalwun plays an important role, finding the right carers to look after indigenous children on the Gold Coast,” Mrs Smith said.
Ms Boyle said more foster carers were needed throughout the state, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.
“The state’s 2900 foster carers do outstanding work helping care for children and young people who aren’t safe living at home,” she said.
“However we urgently need more of these dedicated people, and we particularly need more indigenous carers.”
Across Queensland, there are over 1800 indigenous children in care, but only about 500 indigenous foster carers.
Foster carers receive a fortnightly allowance to help cover the costs of raising a child. Depending on the age of the children, these are from $370-$434.
People interested in becoming foster carers can phone 1800 550 877 or go to www.childsafety.qld.gov.au and click on the foster carers link for more information.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
2 April 2007
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle and Member for Burleigh Christine Smith today announced renewed funding of $68,600 each year for three years for Kalwun Development Foster and Relative (Kinship) Care service.
Mrs Smith said: “Children are taken into care because they have been abused or neglected or are at risk and, where possible, we try to place indigenous children with indigenous carers.
“We need the indigenous community to help with that and Kalwun plays an important role, finding the right carers to look after indigenous children on the Gold Coast,” Mrs Smith said.
Ms Boyle said more foster carers were needed throughout the state, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.
“The state’s 2900 foster carers do outstanding work helping care for children and young people who aren’t safe living at home,” she said.
“However we urgently need more of these dedicated people, and we particularly need more indigenous carers.”
Across Queensland, there are over 1800 indigenous children in care, but only about 500 indigenous foster carers.
Foster carers receive a fortnightly allowance to help cover the costs of raising a child. Depending on the age of the children, these are from $370-$434.
People interested in becoming foster carers can phone 1800 550 877 or go to www.childsafety.qld.gov.au and click on the foster carers link for more information.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
2 April 2007