Locals interested in becoming foster carers are being encouraged to get in contact with the Fostering Connections program which recently received a nearly $6 million funding boost.
Run by the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Fostering Connections provides a centralised service that connects carers with foster care agencies in their area.
The State Government recently committed $5.8 million over four years to continue the program, and Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare CEO Deb Tsorbaris urged anyone interested in becoming a carer to get in contact.
“If anyone in Maryborough and surrounds wants to become a foster carer, please do it, it’s incredibly worthwhile and the kids really appreciate it,” she said.
“The more foster carers we can get the better. It’s pretty tough out there at the moment but we are finding people are still opening their hearts and their homes to become foster carers.
“You want kids to go to the local schools and many still want to see their biological families and siblings.
“We do think staying locally is best for these kids. If you don’t have enough carers you do sometimes have to move kids out of their local community and that’s something none of us prefer.”
Ms Tsorbaris said a wide range of people can become foster carers and encouraged anyone interested to find out more information.
“It takes a village to raise children. Whether you’re part-nered, single, in a same-sex rela-tionship, all these types of families do foster care,” she said.
“If you’re interested in it, pick up the phone or get on our website and have a conversation with one of our workers because it’ll become pretty obvious pretty quickly whether this is for you right now or if it’s something you want to do down the track.
“It’s not for the faint hearted because you are taking children into your home, but the carers we talk to, once they do that it changes them forever and many of them keep doing it for a long time.
“We have a wide age range of carers and many foster carers do it for respite purposes, they may care for a couple of children one weekend a month.
“There’s all sorts of options for people.”
Foster carers must be over 21 and be able to provide a safe, caring home.
Carers will have to complete general health and referee checks, police and Working with Children Check, and checks to confirm your house will be a suitable home.
Prospective carers will also have to complete two days of face-to-face training sessions.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent contact Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088 or visit www.fosteringconnections. com.au.
