Kia ora kei te tumanako koutou pai / Hello and I hope you are all well,
2020 will be remembered as a year of standing together to beat COVID-19. As we again experience living in different alert levels around the country, working together to minimize the spread of this virus, I hope all of you and your loved ones manage to stay safe and well, both physically and mentally. Just being in these different alert levels over a period of time can add a level of anxiety to us all whether we feel it or not.
If you need a listening ear, connect with one of your caregiver peers or give me a ring, I’m only a phone call away!
Stephanie James-Sadler
National Manager Training & Support
04 282 0490 or 0800 693 323
Lastly, we recently received statistics from Oranga Tamariki regarding numbers of ‘All About Me Plans’ and ‘Caregiver Support Plans’ being completed. If you or your tamariki (children) have not yet co-created these with Oranga Tamariki, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your Caregiver Social Worker or your child’s Social Worker to enquire! To clarify – Social Workers collaborate with tamariki and caregivers to create the ‘All About Me Plan’. After this, the Caregiver Social Worker collaborates with you, the caregiver, to create a practical and achievable ‘Caregiver Support Plan’ based around the ‘All About Me Plan’.
This month we take a day out to celebrate our Dads (Pāpā).
I would like to pay homage to all our Foster Dads. These are the men, who to be fair, don’t always sign up for the job. They get the role by default through some epiphany that befalls their lovely wives or partners. And bless their hearts: not only do they agree to become Foster Dads, but they do an amazing job at it! Foster Dads: You role model the patience, kindness and caring that real men share. So, Foster Dads … Thank you! You are truly awesome!
Support Groups
Remember: Caregivers are welcome to set up support groups – these might be based on child age ranges, specific needs, caregiver types (permanent/emergency/transitional) location or more!
To register a Support Group click the button below:
To find a Support Group in your area click the button below:
If you have any questions or need some advice or support please contact Stephanie (me) on 0800 693 323. I will be looking after the Lower South region.
Kia kaha, kia hauora, me kia atawhai
Be strong, be healthy, and be kind
Stephanie
Have you joined our closed Facebook Group?
As a member of Caring Families Aotearoa you have exclusive access to our CLOSED Facebook groups. These are only open to caregivers that are members of Caring Families Aotearoa. This allows our members a platform to seek support, information and resources.
Click the link below to join!
Lower South Support Closed Facebook Group