Message from our Carer Engagement Manager:
Dear Carer & Families,
Welcome to 2024! I would like to start by introducing myself, my name is Letitia Livingstone and many of you may know me from my time in both the South West and South East regions. I have been with Foundations Care for 8 years and am a mum to two young (wild) children. I have been a passionate advocate for individualising carer experiences for both our children and young people and the unique families who support them for over 12 years.
A focus and goal for me this year is allowing our carer network to have an empowered voice and to reconnect with one another and our communities. It is our teams who have the
privilege of walking the journey beside you but to truly support is to understand. I am always open to feedback and ideas from our carers, for it is each of you who truly knows what it takes to support our communities most vulnerable children and young people. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at any time for a catch up around how we can best support you.
Kindest
Letitia x
In this newsletter |
Good News Story |
Carer Advisory Group |
Headspace |
Family Cooking |
Updates, Changes, Amendments |
Extended Post Care Support (EPCS) |
Good news story #1
In January we celebrated the success of one of our Young People who has secured a grant to attend university in 2025. This is a credit to the determination of this young person and the unwavering support and commitment from his care family.
Good News story #2
One of our little people in Central Queensland recently won an art competition through QFKC. As a result his artwork is on display in the QFKC office and it will be used extensively at the conference next year, including being printed on all the goody bags!
Carer Advisory Group
This year we welcome back the carer advisory group, a small group of carers and staff who come together to discuss the challenges, trends, and experiences of carers across the state in order to provide feedback to Department representatives and create innovative solutions to challenges. Each newsletter the advisory group will provide an update on topics discussed and outcomes achieved.
If you would like to see a matter tabled
at our next discussion, please email Letitia at llivingstone@fdc.csg.ngo
Headspace
Headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. They can help with almost anything! Some of the reasons people visit Headspace include: feeling anxious or stressed problems with family and friends issues in romantic relationships questions about gender and who you are attracted to bullying anger and so much more.
Click the logo above to learn more.
Gingerbread Oat Bars
Just because Christmas is over, doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy christmas treats! Delicious festive Oat Bars with Biscoff and gingerbread spices.
1 banana 
100g oats
200ml milk
70g Biscoff spread
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground ginger
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp icing sugar
8 mini gingerbread men
1. Preheat the oven to 180c fan.
2. Add the banana to an oven dish and mash with a fork.
3.Add the oats, milk, Biscoff and gingerbread spices and mix well.
4.Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
5.Allow to cool for 5 minutes before cutting into 8 squares.
6.Mix the icing sugar with a couple of drops of water.
7.Add a little icing to the back of each gingerbread man and press into the top of the oat bars.
Amendments which commenced on 31 October 2022
Changes to Queensland Legislation:
- Renewal of carer certificates extended to 3 years
- Assessment process for existing kinship carers streamlined
- Mandatory reporting requirements
Extended Post Care Support (EPCS)
In June 2022, the Queensland Government announced a funding commitment for young adults leaving care to ensure they are better supported to transition from care.
Three EPCS initiatives came into effect on 1 July 2023:
1: New services being rolled out across Queensland to deliver culturally appropriate, proactive and practical support to young adults leaving care from their 18th birthday up to their 21st birthday.
2: Extension of the care allowance for young adults who continue living with their former carer or guardian (carer) from 19 years old up until their 21st birthday. The care allowance is paid the to the young adult’s carer to meet the everyday living costs of the young adult and is paid at the full base rate.
3: Financial support of up to $16,000 per year being available to young adults leaving care to live in their own housing arrangements as independent adults. The financial support is available from their 18th birthday up until their 21st birthday and will assist in meeting their everyday living costs.
All young people turning 18 from 1 July 2023 who were subject to either a (interim or finalised):
- child protection order granting custody or guardianship to the chief executive
- child protection order granting long- term guardianship to a suitable person
- permanent care order.
