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It is timely during National Reconciliation Week to update on our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). It has been an exciting and dynamic time as the FCAV has continued work on our first RAP. There have been many highlights and achievements over the past 2 years, one of which was the cultural training sessions offered to carers, through Carer KaFE.Read more...

Welcome to a new section of our newsletter inviting carers to provide a space for carer to carer information and experiences. Our first carer voice is Debbie Green. Debbie has worked and volunteered in many caring roles over the past 45 years. Debbie has generously agreed to share her experiences being a carer and particularly with accessing extended care for her 18 year old.Read more...

The FCAV was acutely aware of the additional financial burden and stress many carer households were facing as Victoria continued with Stage 3 restrictions including additional bills, food, entertainment and remote learning related costs which are not covered by the care allowance. Likewise, carers were not automatically among the cohort of recipients for stimulus payments or other national COVID-19 driven subsidies and payments. Our CEO, Sam Hauge, strongly advocated that all foster carers volunteering to care for children and young people through the coronavirus pandemic should be financially supplemented to meet the increased demand for support. Read more...

A Returning to School Kit for Carers has been developed by Fostering Connections with DHHS and DET to support carers of children and young people returning to their school environment over the next couple of weeks. Key topics include: • Explaining the return to school and preparing for it • Supporting children and young people who have been attending school during this time • School refusal and dealing with heightened behaviours • Supports available for carers • Some worksheets, household plans and conversation startersRead more...

If you are an actively registered foster carer in Victoria, Monash University wants to hear your voice! As a part of her sixth year dissertation, Educational and Developmental Psychology student, Amy Miko, is seeking to explore self-care practices amongst foster carers. It is hoped that information gathered from this project will illuminate the existing strengths and strategies of foster carers, as well as identify how carers can be better supported to take care of their health and well-being in what can be a rewarding but also challenging role. If you choose to participate in this project, you will be asked to partake in a 50-minute phone interview relating to your experiences of self-care as a foster carer. All participants will enter the draw to win a $50 Eftpos voucher courtesy of Monash University. Read more...

The twelve Days of Positive Schools video series brings together some of Australia’s best loved education and mental health experts. Each presenter is a valued and highly respected members of the Positive Schools community. Each specially recorded presentation offers support, guidance and inspiration to educators and their families as we move forward in 2020 and beyond.Read more...

Officeworks giveaway!Read more...

Carers - it is important to note that due to amendments to the rules on cancellation and service provision over the COVID 19 pandemic period, in many circumstances it might be necessary to provide NDIS service providers up to 10 days notice of cancellation or pay 100% of the fee. There are many other amendments that might also impact a child/young person’s allocated funding and access to ongoing services. Read more...

Financial Support for Carers – FCAV AdvocacyRead more...

Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that children in Victorian government schools will move to remote and flexible learning at the commencement of term 2, next Wednesday 15 April 2020.Read more...

In these times of escalating anxiety and the potential for deepened isolation our goal at the FCAV remains crystal clear; to connect, support and advocate for foster carers just as you continue to provide great care in exceptional circumstances.Read more...