Updates from AbSec Carer Representatives
Bathurst Support Group Update by Michelle Chapman
The Bathurst support group meets on the third Monday of each month at Christian Life Church, Cnr Gilmore and Hereford Streets, Bathurst from 10am. Morning tea, lunch and childcare are provided.
Commencing in June the Bathurst group will be participating in a Healthy Body Healthy Mind program which will run until November.
Metro South West Group Update
MSW Out of Home Care Dental Clinic a partnership project between DoCS Metro South West Regional and Sydney South West Area Health Service(SSWAHS).
The aim of the project is to increase accessibility for children and young people in DoCS Out of Home Care arrangements to regular dental assessment and treatment in a timely and consistent way. All children/young people who are in DoCS foster care where case management remains with DoCs OoHC services, including kinship and family placements are eligible for referral.
The Dental Clinic is located at: 59 A Cumberland Road, Ingleburn.
For any questions or referrals call: Marta Ossja ( Carer Suport Team) on 8713 7967.
Metro West Support Group update by Theresa Bloxsome
Support group meets on the 1st wednesday of every month at Miimali, Copeland Street Emerton. All carers welcome.
Past Guest Speakers have included Tim Agius who is the Director of Aboriginal Health, Western Sydney Area Health Service. Tim spoke to the group about services available to assist carers
Junee Support Group update by Shirley Buckley
All Foster Carers meet at Cootamundra for a meeting once a month. For more information please contact AbSec on 1800 888 698.
Broken Hill Support Group update by Dianne Robinson & Coral Dunlop
Know as the "Broken Hill Carers Support Group", it consists of Foster and relative/kinship carers. They meet monthly at 10am at the Aboriginal Violence Prevention's Legal Service located in the main street in Broken Hill.
Carers who attend the meetings bring along a plate for morning tea. The group invities a representative from DoCS to attend and discuss any issues of concern.
The support group has 2 co-ordinators, Dianna Robinson and Coral Dunlop. Dianna and Coral meet with the DoCS Out of Home Care manager, Child Protection manager and the manager of Client Services monthly to follow up on the groups success.
The group now has over 34 regular members who attend the monthly meetings or the social events(social events depend on weather). Members of the group attend different training around town and share their new knowledge with the members of the group
If you are a carer in the area or know someone who is interested in becoming a Foster carer, please come and join our group.
La Perouse Support Group update by Yvonne Simms
If any carers in and around the La Perouse area are interested in starting up a support group please contact AbSec on 1800 888 698.