Foster care is the backbone of the Victorian response to protective intervention for children and young people at risk. Foster carers are the volunteers providing a home, family life, and care to children and young people who are unable to live with their birth family for a variety of reasons. Many of these children have suffered traumatic events and the role of our foster carers is critical and complex in providing a safe and healing environment for children and young people to reach their full potential.

The Foster Care Association is here to provide information, support and advocacy directly to all Victorian foster families. Our work directly impacts the care provided to the thousands of Victorian children and young people in foster care by providing:

• Carer Support Service - free, independent advice and support to foster carers.

• Carer Assistance Program - free, confidential therapeutic support to foster carers.

• Advocating on behalf of foster carers to government, their agencies, in the sector and the community.

• Community building - as the only centralised body for all foster carers in the state; providing forums and carer events.

• Providing carer news and updated information through our comprehensive website & regular newsletters

The Foster Care Association represents all foster carers across Victoria. In tandem with one-to-one support we provide to individual foster carers, our role as a membership Association is to advocate for vital improvements to the foster care system. Our current member database consists of over 5,000 carers and the wider sector and community. The Foster Care Association is mandated to strengthen Victoria’s investment in greater recognition, respect and resources for foster carers, the volunteers who every day and every night make a difference in the lives of Victoria’s children and young people.

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