- Victoria’s state-wide foster care recruitment service Fostering Connections is calling on the Mildura community to open their homes and support children, young people and families in need.
- Foster Care Week runs from 12-18 September and celebrates foster carers and the invaluable contribution they make to the lives of children, young people and families
- The Mildura community can step in and support local children and families by becoming foster carers
- There are approximately 11,000 children and young people in Victoria’s out-of-home-care system.
- 40% of foster carers in Victoria live in regional areas, according to the Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing carer census released last month.
On an average day, there are up to 1,700 children and young people in foster care in Victoria, where they are temporarily cared for by trained and accredited foster carers. Foster Care Week, commencing on Sunday 12 September, is an opportunity to recognise the vital role they play in our community
Thousands of children and young people from all over Victoria need safe and nurturing homes, Foster Carers from all walks of life are stepping in to help their community, opening their homes as part of an incredible network of people supporting local children, young people and families.
Fostering Connections, a joint initiative between foster care agencies across Victoria and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, is seeking to raise the profile of foster care in Mildura and invite more people in the community to become foster carers.
Deb Tsorbaris, CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre), the peak body for child and family services in Victoria which administers the Fostering Connections initiative, said foster carers provide stability and support in a child’s life.
“All kinds of kids need all kinds of foster carers. Whether you are younger or older, working or retired, fostering for one night or fostering long-term, you can make a difference.”
“By providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming home environment, foster carers can help a child in their care feel a sense of belonging and connection – to their family, culture and community.” said Ms Tsorbaris.
Mallee Accommodation and Support Program foster carers Anna and Emily said there’s no time like the present to become a foster carer.
“People say to me ‘I would love to do foster care but…’ followed by all the reasons they haven’t. I tell them, just start by picking up the phone.” Anna and Emily said.
“People have so many assumptions about why they can or can’t and what foster care will be like. For us, every single assumption was wrong except for one, we have room in our family to love and care for another child, and that is why we choose to foster,” they said.
Mallee District Aboriginal Services is northwest Victoria's major service provider for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with local carers Ronda and Bill encouraging locals of all ages to consider fostering.
“Being a foster carer is one of the most satisfying things you can do, to care for a young one while their family is going through difficulties. Whether it’s short or long term, you can give young ones a safe and caring environment,” Ronda and Bill said.
“You can't put a price on a foster carer... Without people like that, we wouldn’t be able to give children and their families the support or guidance they need,” said Glen, Recruitment and Assessment Officer at Mallee District Aboriginal Services
Mallee Family Care’s Chief Executive Officer, Teresa Jayet, said: “Foster Carers play a critical role in our community, providing a safety net for children who need a safe place to call home, whether it be for a night, weeks, months or years. The care they offer can change a child’s life.”
“I knew that when I could, I wanted to be the person who gave children who were really in need, a home, security and love. I wanted to be the difference,” said Rocky Sloan, a foster carer with Mallee Family Care.
Anyone over the age of 21 who has a spare bedroom can apply to become a foster carer.
Applicants take part in training and various checks before becoming an accredited foster carer and are provided with round-the-clock support, including financial assistance.
