Ngā mihi nui kia koutou, Greetings to you all!  

Here we are in 2022. The holidays have finished for some of us, and we find ourselves planning for the year ahead! My whānau and I have managed to get a change of scenery these holidays and visited the beautiful Whangārei. Lots of beaches, diving, camping, catching up with whānau and friends and my favorites, lots of yummy kai and creating memories.    

The start of another school year is here!  Many changes have happened due to COVID-19 especially impacting us as caregivers and our tamariki. Some have been great changes, and some changes have been challenging for you. Yet here we are, organising uniforms and stationery and helping our tamariki with the many challenges they face with starting or returning to school. If you are like me and routines haven’t been a priority over the holiday period, take your time getting back into those routines and be kind to yourselves and your tamariki. Like Rachel Hunter once said, “It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen”. 😊  

I am looking forward to connecting or reconnecting with each of you over the coming year. My hours of work are Tuesday – Friday, 8.45am-3.30pm.  I would love to hear from you, whether it is just to say hi or for some support. Please feel free to ring me on 027 501 0393 or send me a text.    

We are in the process of planning our events for this year so keep an eye out for these. Don’t forget, Foster Care Awareness Week is coming up in March (7 – 13). I’ll be in contact soon about that. 

There are some great trainings happening this term, so please check out our training calendar HERE.  

If you require financial assistance with the cost of getting children to school at the start of the year, check out these links to see if you qualify for any assistance.  

Click HERE if you are a low-income family – you don’t have to be on a benefit to qualify. For anyone caring for someone else’s child, click HERE to see your entitlement for the school and year start-up payment. 

If you are with Oranga Tamariki or another provider speak to your social worker for financial assistance for the beginning of the school year.  

Remember Caring Families Aotearoa is here to help. We are always happy to connect with our caregivers as we know what an incredible role you play in the lives of your tamariki and rangatahi and how challenging it can be sometimes.  

Have a great month everyone!  

Mā te wā, bye for now 

Chris