Connecting Carers NSW 1300-794-653

(Supporting foster, kinship and relative carers)

From behavioral July 2008, Carers across NSW will have access to free ongoing

support, training and information which will…

 Support carers in caring for children and young people

 Provide up-to-date advice, information and practical resources

 Support carers to respond to challenging and behavioural issues of

children and young people in their care

 Be responsive to the individual needs of the carer

 Provide information on DoCS practice, policy and sector change

 Improve the carers ability and knowledge to help provide effective care

 Link carers with other networks and services

 Develop the carers skills through participating in peer support activities,

information and training

 Provide ongoing information, training and activities which are:

o Flexible

o Accessible

o Appropriate

o Responsive to carer needs

o Customised

  (From July 2008, Connecting Carers NSW will be operational in all Metropolitan Regions and in the Northern and

Hunter-Central Coast Regions. The project will roll out in the remaining Regions shortly after).

________________________________________

KARITANE SUPPORTS FAMILIES TO RESPOND TO A RANGE OF PARENTING CHALLENGES AND FAMILY

ISSUES. KARITANE WILL WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOSTER PARENT’S SUPPORT NETWORK (FPSN)

AND WORK WITH OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCIES TO SUPPORT DOCS CARERS ACROSS NSW.

THE FPSN HAS OPERATED SINCE 1998, AND HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO CARERS. SUCH EXPERIENCE IS   A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO CONNECTING CARERS NSW.

  EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Duties include:

·                 Provide Peer Support to DoCS Foster Carers on Connecting Carers NSW Program.

• Assist Regional Coordinators to coordinate training sessions, forums and conferences.
• Facilitate local, support group meetings.
• Identify training needs of local foster carers                                                                        

^{Enquiries:    Ph: 1300 794 653}               

                                                                                                        ^{Rita Fenech (Project Manager – Connecting Carers NSW)}

                                                                                                                                                ^{0458 758 564}

                                                                                                                                        ^OR

                                                               ^{Regional Coordinators}

                                                                 ^{Sue O’Connor                                                 Jill De-Ath}

                                                            ^{(Met West & Southern )                                (Met South West & Western)}       

                                                            ^{sueoc02@bigpond.com                                 Jillloz@bigpond.com.au}                                             

                                                ^{0439 476 234   or 0400 101 807                             0409572464   or 0448450964}

                                                           ^{Kim Hawkin                                                                  Astrid Hocking}                      

                                                       ^{( Northern NSW )                                                   ( Hunter & Central Coast )}  

                                               ^{kimsbizz@midcoast.com.au                                           astrid@ttacs.com.au}

                                                       ^{0409463754                                                            044 849 0892}

                                                                        ^{Sandra Kessler}

                                                                        ^{( Met Central )}

                                                                   ^{metcentralccnsw@gmail.com.au}

                                                                         ^{0409 989 344} 

^{NORTHERN NSW  Contact Kim for more information}

                                                                                                          ^{MET WEST TRAINING CALENDER 2009}                                                                  

^{Training is availible for Kinship/relative and Foster Carers.}

                           ^{Wherever possible childcare will be availible and there is no cost to carers.}

              ^{For more information on Met West or Southern training ,please call or email Sue}