Did you know we provide One on One Support?Strong support is vital to ensure secure and healing homes for children in care, so that they can heal. It is important that you never feel alone during your caregiving journey. We have Regional Coordinators throughout...
Poem - In my Mummy's TummyA caregiver, who wishes to be anonymous, shared this poem with us to share with other caregivers. Caregivers, every day, support tamariki and rangatahi (children and young people) in care who have experienced trauma at a young age, some...
Caring Families Aotearoa Highlights of the YearWhat a year it has been! We have continued training, supporting, and advocating for caregivers, despite the challenges that the world has thrown at us. We are very excited for the future as we continue to grow and adapt...
New Strategic PlanAt our Annual General Meeting, on the 20 October, Linda Surtees, CEO, presented our new strategic plan that came into effect at the beginning of this financial year. Linda highlighted what we will do to enable and support our members and their...
The Results Are InIn June 2021 we ran our annual caregiver survey so we could get your feedback on the services Caring Families Aotearoa provides, the support and training you receive as well as your current caregiving situation so we can identify gaps to better shape...
Voyage For VOYCESpirit of Adventure Scholarship Fund for Rangatahi (young people)!Rangatahi in care aged between 16 – 18 years old have got an amazing scholarship opportunity to take part in a life-changing Spirit of Adventure voyage! Solo sailor and former foster...
Let's Make A ChangeIn August we piloted our latest training, Making Changes – Stability in Hard Times. This newly developed, Intermediate level training was delivered to six caregivers in Lower Hutt, Wellington. We received excellent feedback and we hope this training...
We've joined Chooza, and here's why you should tooWhat is Chooza? Chooza is an online store, that lets you sell and buy whatever you want, with the proceeds of each sale going to a charity. There is a selection of charities to choose from, and Caring Families Aotearoa...
Support - The Best Lockdown ToolThis past month has been tough, there is no sugar coating it. And for parents, and caregivers who have become teachers on top of your very busy parenting role, you deserve a round of applause. Here at Caring Families Aotearoa, we...
Community help during West Coast FloodingOn 17 July 2021, Westport and Marlborough suffered significant weather conditions resulting in many homes having to be evacuated due to flooding. Several caregivers' homes, cars and possessions had been damaged, most having to...
Budget Updates - What You Need to KnowOn 23 June 2021, Hon Kelvin Davis announced further updates including the change to the Birthday and Holiday Allowance to now include caregivers who are receiving the OB and UCB. Previously, this allowance was only being paid to...
Allowance Available for CounsellingDid you know there is a counselling subsidy available through Work and Income? If you, your partner or the children in your care require counselling, you can apply to get financial assistance as part of a Disability Allowance. This...
2021 Excellence in Foster Care Awards At Caring Families Aotearoa, we have the privilege of working with and supporting so many amazing caregivers who go above and beyond what is expected of them for the tamariki and rangatahi in their care. This July 16 caregivers...
Celebrating Matariki in Aotearoa / New ZealandFrom the end of June to mid-July this year in Aotearoa / New Zealand we celebrated Matariki. Matariki is a star cluster in the sky and its arrival has a wonderful meaning; it is a time to spend with whānau (family) and...
Fantastic Results from our Foundations for Attachment ProgrammeOver the past four years, we have had the privilege of delivering Kim Golding’s Foundations for Attachment training to over 230 caregivers in Aotearoa / New Zealand. This training gives a deeper insight...
Thank You to our VolunteersCaring Families Aotearoa, like many other not-for-profit organisations, wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the amazing work of so many volunteers. Last week (20-27 June), we celebrated with these dedicated people during volunteer...
Care Sector TrainingWe are excited to finally announce changes to the training and learning opportunities we will be delivering. From next term, we will no longer be delivering the National Caregiver Training Programme developed by Oranga Tamariki. Instead, Caring...
Registrations are now open! Don't miss out on your chance to attend New Zealand's only Conference for care families and whānau who open their homes and hearts to tamariki in need of care and protection. This year's conference is being held at the Lower Hutt Event...
Bay of Plenty Foster Care AssociationThe Bay of Plenty Foster Care Association came to a close at their final AGM last month. We want to say thank you to all who were involved in the association over the 15 years it was running. Along with monthly organised support...
From left to right: Ebony Fleming, Hon. Poto Williams and Tahirah Morton. Te Mātātaki 2021 There were many positive results in the survey that show caregivers are making a difference for the children in their care. Many tamariki and rangatahi in care feel settled,...