Published Thursday, 14 June, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Funding for children in care in Brisbane’s south and the Gold Coast
Organisations across Brisbane’s southside and the Gold Coast will receive $3.913 million to run small group homes for children in care and to recruit, train and support foster carers.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said organisations were encouraged to apply for the funding, which was part of a $16.21 million package available across the State.
Ms Boyle said there were an estimated 7320 children in care in Queensland and 3200 foster carers. At December 2006, there were over 1200 children in care and 550 foster carers in the Department of Child Safety’s Brisbane South and Gold Coast zone (which includes Child Safety Service Centres based at Beenleigh, the Gold Coast, Mt Gravatt, Redlands, Stones Corner and Wynnum).
“We need more foster carers to provide safe and loving homes for children,” Ms Boyle said.
“We also need places for children and young people to live when foster care is not suitable for them.
“Some kids with complex disabilities and others struggling to come to terms with the abuse they have suffered may not be able to cope with moving into a foster family straight away.
“Organisations will be funded to run small group homes, which are generally for four to six children aged 12-17 to live together with staff supervision.
“The homes are for short-term stays where we can give children specialist support and help them work through their issues so they can move into foster care,” Ms Boyle said.
“The funding is also for organisations to support specialist foster carers, who care for children with complex needs and to provide supported independent living. This is where older teenagers are taught the skills they need to take care of themselves once they leave care, such as paying bills, buying groceries and preparing nutritious meals.”
Applications for grant funding close on Monday, 16 July 2007. Information for organisations is available at www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/funding/calendar/2007/placement.html
To become a foster carer, phone 1300 550 877.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said organisations were encouraged to apply for the funding, which was part of a $16.21 million package available across the State.
Ms Boyle said there were an estimated 7320 children in care in Queensland and 3200 foster carers. At December 2006, there were over 1200 children in care and 550 foster carers in the Department of Child Safety’s Brisbane South and Gold Coast zone (which includes Child Safety Service Centres based at Beenleigh, the Gold Coast, Mt Gravatt, Redlands, Stones Corner and Wynnum).
“We need more foster carers to provide safe and loving homes for children,” Ms Boyle said.
“We also need places for children and young people to live when foster care is not suitable for them.
“Some kids with complex disabilities and others struggling to come to terms with the abuse they have suffered may not be able to cope with moving into a foster family straight away.
“Organisations will be funded to run small group homes, which are generally for four to six children aged 12-17 to live together with staff supervision.
“The homes are for short-term stays where we can give children specialist support and help them work through their issues so they can move into foster care,” Ms Boyle said.
“The funding is also for organisations to support specialist foster carers, who care for children with complex needs and to provide supported independent living. This is where older teenagers are taught the skills they need to take care of themselves once they leave care, such as paying bills, buying groceries and preparing nutritious meals.”
Applications for grant funding close on Monday, 16 July 2007. Information for organisations is available at www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/funding/calendar/2007/placement.html
To become a foster carer, phone 1300 550 877.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477