Qld: Minister launches Foster and Kinship Care Week celebrations

Minister launches Foster and Kinship Care Week celebrations
Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech applauded Queensland’s unsung child protection heroes at today’s launch of Foster and Kinship Care Week.
Mrs Keech kicked off the statewide celebrations recognising the outstanding work of Foster and Kinship Carers at a special event in Southport.
She said Foster and Kinship carers were the backbone of Queensland’s child protection system.
“Across the state, more than 3,300 foster and kinship carers are providing safe and happy homes to almost 7000 children and young people in care,” Mrs Keech said.
“These dedicated and committed people open their hearts and homes to abused and neglected children, caring for them as if they were their own.
“Foster and Kinship Care Week is an important opportunity for all Queenslanders to acknowledge the invaluable contribution that foster and kinship carers make to their local communities and to society as a whole.
“Right throughout the year, but particularly during this week, I would like to encourage all Queenslanders to get behind our foster and kinship carers.
“These people are the true unsung heroes of our communities. They are every day people who do extraordinary work.”
Mrs Keech said there was an ongoing need for more foster and kinship carers throughout the state.
“While our existing foster carers do a magnificent job, there is no doubt we need more of them,” she said.
“We need more families able to care for babies, children, teenagers, sibling groups and young people with challenging behaviours.
“Carers are also needed to provide respite care – an essential support to foster carers when they need a break from caring, time to deal with personal matters or time to recover from illness.
“Foster and kinship carers come from all walks of life. However they all have one thing in common – a commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and young people.”
The Bligh Government has provided $55,000 for the 2008 Foster and Kinship Care Week celebrations.
Foster and Kinship Care Week runs from Sunday 9 to Saturday 15 March.
Celebrations will take place throughout the state, with a wide range of activities providing opportunities for the community to recognise the extraordinary contribution of foster carers to local children and young people.
For more information on becoming a foster carer, contact the Department of Child Safety on 1300 550 877 or visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au.

Source: Ministerial Media release