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The Foster Care Association of Victoria congratulates the remarkable young people, carers and the sector colleagues we have worked alongside to campaign for extended care through the Home Stretch and Better Futures program for many years. We congratulate the Victorian Government and Luke Donnellan, Minister for Child Protection, on the announcement of universal provision of continued care until 21 years of age for all young people in foster, kinship and residential care, pledged in the state budget of 24 November 2020.Read more...

The FCAV & Carer KaFÉ will remain open during the December 2020 – January 2021 holiday period.Read more...

Thank you to all foster carers and agency staff for getting behind the FCAV’s new therapeutic support program for Victorian foster carers – the Carer Assistance Program (CAP). Since launching, The CAP has been steadily receiving referrals directly from carers across Victoria, as well as from agency staff, on behalf of carers.Read more...

The FCAV's Caring Through Art program began in August 2020 via Zoom with the aim to assist carers manage during COVID-19 after we had heard many were experiencing distress, trauma, anger, isolation and grief and loss as the lockdown proceeded. Carers were taking on home schooling, respite was harder to obtain and they were often facilitating access in their own home via the phone or internet.Read more...

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The Affinity Project is working on a research project developed through Monash University, run with the faculty of Education and the Department of Social Work that is evaluating the educational needs of young people in out of home care. Foster carers have an important perspective on this project. Read more...

Speak Up (SUP) Youth EmpowermentRead more...

NDIS Support Information for CarersThere is additional funding available to support Victorians and their families who have a disability during COVID-19. You can find information about extra supports for Victorians with a disability here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/advice-victoriaThe NDIA has also made changes to better support participants and their carers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two most important changes are:• NDIS plans can be extended for up to 24 months. As the applicant, the DHHS does not need to have the plan for the child in your care reviewed for 24 months instead of 12.• There is now more flexibility with how the Core Supports and Capacity Building budgets within plans are used. If required, funds can be moved from Capacity Building to Core Support budgets to allow for the purchase of additional day-to-day supports such as a support worker to assist your child to achieve their goals. This needs to be undertaken in consultation with one of the new NDIA special planners.Special teams of planners in the NDIA are available to help make urgent changes to plans. Call your Support Coordinator or call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 if you are concerned that your child, or a child in your care, has support needs that are not being met.Read more...

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Carer Advisory GroupsRead more...

The FCAV has been calling on Government to meet the needs carers have identified with the students in their care following the significant disruptions to education that have occured in 2020. We are so pleased that the Government has pledged funding for over 4,100 tutors to give individual support to our most vulnerable students. This funding is slated to begin in 2021. The FCAV continues to lobby Ministers and the DHHS to ensure this funding reaches every children and young person in care who needs it.  Read more about the FCAV's advocacy on this issue during 2020 here. Read more...

Professional Development for CISSRead more...